"Weirdly in each other’s lives" — The Real Housewives of Orange County star Andy Cohen reflects on Alexis Bellino's future on the show

Andy Cohen recently shared his thoughts on Alexis Bellino's future in The Real Housewives of Orange County, describing the unique dynamic between cast members. Bellino, who originally starred in the first four seasons of the show, briefly returned in season 18, reigniting fan interest with her connections to Shannon Storms Beador’s ex, John Janssen.

Cohen explained in an interview with US Weekly on December 20,

“Here’s the thing about the Housewives — and especially the Housewives of Orange County — that is a group of people that is always kind of weirdly in each other’s lives in some dotted line way.”

The statement comes just days before Alexis Bellino’s departure from The Real Housewives of Orange County was officially announced. For Bellino, her brief return in season 18 stirred both excitement and controversy, particularly due to her ties to Shannon Storms Beador’s ex, John Janssen.

The Real Housewives of Orange County: Andy Cohen’s take on Alexis Bellino’s role

During an exclusive interview with US Weekly, Andy Cohen reflected on Alexis Bellino’s standing in The Real Housewives of Orange County universe. Despite her recent exit, Cohen believes Bellino’s presence remains ingrained in the fabric of the show. Cohen explained that the people of The Real Housewives of Orange County will always be in each other's lives in some way, and added that the interconnected lives of cast members often create unexpected encounters at local hotspots like Javier’s or The Quiet Woman.

"She will always exist in the universe," Cohen said, about Bellino's standing on the show.

Cohen also addressed the show's popularity, emphasizing that season 18 was “one of the most loved” in recent history, drawing over three million viewers. According to Cohen, the dynamic relationships between the cast members, including Bellino’s complicated history with Shannon Beador, contributed to its success.

Alexis Bellino’s departure from The Real Housewives of Orange County

Alexis Bellino confirmed her departure from The Real Housewives of Orange County on the December 20 episode of the Going Rogue podcast. Reflecting on the call that informed her she wasn’t asked back for season 19, the 47-year-old reality star admitted it was both a shock and a relief.

“I can’t say it came as a shock. It did not come as a shock,” she said.

However, she also noted that the timing caught her off guard.

“I thought we had more time… [So] it was a shock when the call came, but I was never shocked about that information,” she shared.

Bellino’s exit follows a tumultuous season 18, during which her relationship with John Janssen became a focal point of the show. Janssen, who previously dated Shannon Beador, sparked tensions between Bellino and Beador. The two women’s feud escalated both on-screen and off, with Beador declaring in November that she would not film alongside Bellino.

Bellino's history with The Real Housewives of Orange County

Alexis Bellino originally joined The Real Housewives of Orange County in season 5, where she quickly became a standout figure. After four seasons, she left the series in season 8, only to return a decade later in a “friend” role during season 18. Her return reignited old conflicts and introduced new challenges, particularly in her relationship with Beador.

Bellino expressed frustration over how her time on season 18 played out. In a candid Instagram post, she accused the show of making her and Janssen the “villains” for the sake of drama. “If I had known that, I never would’ve signed,” she wrote, adding that she plans to use her own platform to share her truth.

At the season 18 reunion, Bellino defended Janssen, claiming he hadn’t had the chance to tell his side of the story. “The truth has not been shown,” she stated, highlighting her frustration with the narrative portrayed on the show.

Life after the show

Since the end of season 18, Alexis Bellino has focused on her personal life. She and John Janssen, whom she described as her “modern-day Brady Bunch” partner, have shared glimpses of their blended family and romantic milestones on social media.

The couple celebrated Thanksgiving together with their children and attended Kathy Hilton’s holiday party in Beverly Hills earlier this month. Bellino, who often shares moments of gratitude and faith with her followers, reflected on her departure from The Real Housewives of Orange County with optimism.