Alexis Bellino returned to Real Housewives of Orange County with differing relationships with the veteran cast members. During her previous stint, on RHOC seasons 5 through 8, Alexis did not get along with Heather Dubrow. The duo are now friends.
Also, Alexis was often at explosive odds with Tamra Judge. During this time, Tamra coined the term “Jesus Jugs” to reference her nemesis. But fans were surprised to see them getting along during the Season 18 premiere.
Maybe it’s something to do with having a common enemy in Shannon Beador. Rather, Tamra says that after a “deep conversation,” she and Alexis “became very close.”
Alexis is “not being held back” this time around
Tamra recently spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about squashing her beef with Alexis before filming together again. They got a little encouragement from Bravo executive producer Andy Cohen.
“If you were to ask me that two years ago, I would say, ‘Hell no, I don’t want her back,’” Tamra dished. “But I met her at BravoCon [2023], and with Andy [Cohen] standing over us, we had a very deep conversation about the past and where she is today, and regrets and things like that and we became very close.”
Tamra feels that Alexis changed a lot since her time on RHOC, and for the better. It’s worth noting that she’s had a lot of personal struggles recently.
“You’re going to see an Alexis that is not being held back. One that’s very vocal and one that’s funny, quirky, loud, sad,” Tamra explained. “She was going through a lot, and this is what makes it so sad is that she’s getting beat up. But people don’t know she had lost her mom recently. She had broken off an engagement. She was going through a lot of stuff… I’m hoping that people aren’t judging her just because she’s dating John Janssen.”
As for Alexis, she spoke about her friendship with Tamra during the RHOC season premiere.
“Have we had our downside? Yes. Have we shit on each other? Yes. But I’m so thankful for our friendship now,” she said.
Catch Real Housewives of Orange County on Thursdays at 9/8c on Bravo.
