Shannon Beador didn’t miss Alexis Bellino during filming on the upcoming 19th season of The Real Housewives of Orange County.
After being faced with Alexis’ romance with her ex-boyfriend, John Janssen, 62, and John’s lawsuit against her amid season 18, Shannon, 61, confirmed she was happy that Alexis, 48, and John didn’t return to the show as she also offered an update on her drama with Joel Kim Booster, 37, spoke of Gretchen Rossi, 46, and Vicki Gunvalson, 63, shaded ex-husband David Beador, 60, and teased Love Hotel.
“Absolutely, and I wish them well. I do. I’m happy that everything happened, so we aren’t together anymore, because it wasn’t healthy. So I hope that they have a happy life,” Shannon said in an April 23 interview with Entertainment Tonight after being asked if she was happy she didn’t have to deal with Alexis and John during season 19.
Then, when asked about John’s tell-all interview with the outlet, and how he said he’d go away after, Shannon exclaimed, “Bye-bye!”
After filming Love Hotel last year, Shannon was called out by host Joel, who suggested she treated the staff poorly and labeled her a “pathetic drunk.”
“I saw it in the airport as I was about to leave, and it did hurt me tremendously,” she admitted. “He did apologize and that’s that … I didn’t respond and I haven’t spoken to him.”
As for RHOC season 19, Shannon described the new episodes as “unique.”
“It has a lot of drama, but it comes out of nowhere, so it’s kind of unpredictable drama,” she explained. “And I will say that I’m involved in a lot of silliness, which I’m ecstatic about, fun and laughing and being silly.”
Joining her for season 19 was Gretchen, who she had not yet been on the show with.
“She is so sweet, and [Slade Smiley] has been nothing but kind to me. Everyone has made fun of them for so many years. They’ve been together for 16 years, and they’re happy and they have a child. So I’m really glad that she’s back,” Shannon stated.
She then noted that she didn’t “think [Vicki was] coming back this season.”
As filming on Love Hotel began last year, Shannon was met with the one-year anniversary of her DUI arrest, which she described as a “celebration.”
“When I looked back at that year earlier, I was in a hole that I didn’t think I could dig myself out of. I really didn’t think I’d be able to get through it, and then having to film with Alexis, and then having issues with Tamra, and then being in a lawsuit, it was just a lot of things piled up, and I didn’t think I would be strong enough to get through it, and I am, and I was, and I feel better from it,” she declared. “It was more of a celebration of ‘Wow, I did climb out and I’m really happy.’”
“There’s not a day that goes by where I do not think about that night, and I thank God every single day that I didn’t hurt anyone because that would’ve been a whole different situation for me, but I made a mistake, and I know that God has a plan, and I look at where I am today,” she continued. “I’m in the happiest place I’ve ever been, so that had to happen in order for me to get here.”
Looking back at her time on Love Hotel, Shannon confirmed she walked away with love.
“I did walk away from the show with someone, and I’m not the only one that did. I think [it was a success],” she shared.
As for what made her want to go on, she simply felt she was ready.
“After my DUI, and after my breakup, I was single for a year. I just focused on myself, and I didn’t go on one date, and I feel as though I really did a lot of good work on myself, and I thought, ‘Okay, it’s time,’” Shannon recalled.
Unfortunately, her daughters were more trepidacious.
“They were horrified because, and I do joke all the time that it’s my job to embarrass them, so they just didn’t know what I would do. And I don’t know if I can say it, but you might see a kid or two,” she revealed.
Despite being ready, Shannon was surprised by the “awkwardness” and “uncomfortableness” of dating more than one person at a time.
“I’m more old school when it comes to dating,” she noted.
During her time filming the show, Shannon said she grew closest to Luann de Lesseps, 59.
“[Gizelle Bryant] and [Ashley Darby] … came into the show with a strong friendship. So, I mean, I spent time with all of them, but probably Luann the most,” she shared.
Also during the interview, Shannon reflected on the comment she made about having never been in “true love.”
“I think I maybe tried to convince myself that I was, and I have three beautiful daughters, so I’m grateful for my marriage, but I think I was just at that age where it’s like, ‘I gotta get married,’ and that was the relationship that I was in, but it wasn’t a healthy one,” she noted of her 17-year marriage to David. “So I know if I’m in the right relationship, I’m going to feel special. I’m going to be made a priority, and I don’t know that that’s really happened yet.”
Love Hotel season one premieres Sunday, April 27, at 9/8c on Bravo.
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