'Real Housewives of Orange County': Gina Kirschenheiter calls out co-star's boyfriend who 'likes the limelight'

Fan-favourite Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC) star Gina Kirschenheiter is not mincing her words when it comes to new cast member Jennifer Pedranti's boyfriend, Ryan Boyajian, amid extensive rumours about his cheating.

As we saw in recent episodes of RHOC (available to stream on Hayu), Pedranti has caused fireworks in Season 17, beginning with the revelation that her relationship with Boyajian started as an affair, while Pedranti was still married to her now ex-husband.

Things have gotten even messier with accusations that Boyajian, who is a self-confessed cheater, isn't being faithful to Pedranti. Lets not forget that Pedranti herself revealed that Boyajian has cheated on all of his previous partners.

Kirschenheiter, who infamously divorced ex-husband Matt after she found out he was cheating on her, followed by subsequent domestic violence charges, was "triggered" by Pedranti's personal cheating story. But she has also been among the women who believe Pedranti should be cautious about Boyajian.

“You recognize the signs. You don't have to blink three times and let me know you need help. I already know you do,” Kirschenheiter told Yahoo Canada when asked about balancing her desire to help a friend, while being mindful that her co-star is adamant her boyfriend isn't cheating.

“I can't save you if you don't want to save yourself, and I do think that's just what the bottom line is. Obviously it's hard for me in particular, because they started that relationship out of an affair, so I'm never going to look at him like, ‘you're a great catch.’ I'm just not. But I think that whatever was going on in her marriage, and I don't agree [with] the way she exited out of it, but she clearly was not happy there.”

'I think he would push [Jennifer] out of the way to get that shine'

But that understanding hasn't stopped Kirschenheiter from being critical about Boyajian.

“Ryan's that guy that's just going to tell her what she wants to hear,” Kirschenheiter said. “And you know what, right now maybe that's just what she needs.”

“Maybe he's not her forever, but maybe she just needs the guy at the gym ... who tells you how beautiful you are and schmoozes you, and makes you feel good. And you know what, whatever, if she needs that right now, she needs that right now. She's going through a lot. She's going through a transition, and she'll figure it out.”

Going one step further, the RHOC star also called out Boyajian for enjoying being a reality TV star, while adding that she doesn't think he's "embarrassed" by anything that's been shown on TV.

“I think he likes this,” Kirschenheiter said. “I think he likes the limelight."

"I think he would push [Jennifer] out of the way to get that shine. ... He's already trying to push merch. He's all in it."

While many fans of the show are in agreement with Kirschenheiter about questioning her co-star's boyfriend, we'll continue to see how that unfolds throughout the rest of the season.