Alexis Bellino is making her long-awaited return to “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” but one cast member who probably isn’t too thrilled about it is Shannon Beador. According to production sources, the 47-year-old Bellino is officially coming back to the show as a friend of the cast, more than a decade after leaving as a fan favorite in 2013. Filming for Season 18 just began, and Bellino joined the other housewives on Tuesday evening.
One of the biggest storylines going into this season revolves around the drama between Bellino and Beador, who now find themselves in an awkward situation of dating the same man, John Janssen. Alexis recently started dating John, who Shannon had been in a relationship with from July 2019 until November 2022, when he reportedly broke up with her just one week after filming for Season 17 wrapped. Beador expressed feeling blindsided by the breakup, and seeing Bellino now dating her former flame probably isn’t making matters any easier for her.
Adding to the tension, Bellino and Janssen have been taking getaways together and Alexis seems to have a good relationship with John’s kids, something Beador has publicly stated she did not have. This only adds fuel to the fire of their already strained relationship. Even before Bellino and Janssen got together, Beador had made it clear that she did not like her new castmate.
TMZ previously reported that just before Shannon’s DUI arrest in September 2023, she was overheard trash-talking Alexis at a restaurant. Bellino claims this was over a defamation lawsuit Beador’s ex-husband filed against her and Tamra Judge. Alexis has stated that she is not involved in that lawsuit.
The return of Bellino and the tension between her and Beador is sure to make for an emotional and dramatic season of “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” Bravo knows exactly where to put these messy and complicated feelings – on a hit TV show, of course. So, grab some popcorn and pour yourself a mimosa, “RHOC” fans, because it’s bound to be an unforgettable season with Alexis making her comeback, at least in some capacity.
