Why Tamra Judge Deserves a Pass After ‘Quitting’ RHOC Amid Teddi Mellencamp’s Health Troubles

For many Real Housewives of Orange County fans, Tamra Judge has been a polarizing Bravoleb. She has never been afraid to stir the pot or speak her mind. It’s a big reason fans enjoy tuning in each season to watch Tamra. Frankly, she knows how to deliver the drama. But just because Tammy Sue thrives in this type of environment doesn’t mean she isn’t human. After her best friend, Teddi Mellencamp, was diagnosed with some major health issues, I’m starting to think everyone needs to cut Tamra some slack. 

Tamra Judge is dealing with her best friend Teddi Mellencamp’s health issues

The entire point of shows like Real Housewives is for audience members to escape into a reality not of their own. To an extent, even the stars know they are putting on a show purely for entertainment value. But sometimes, real-life issues cross into the world of reality TV. Teddi, who was a former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, stepped back onto the duo’s podcast, Two Ts in a Pod to share her cancer journey. Tamra shared, “I don’t know if it [was] just me or I was in the group text, but you said to me, ‘You all thought I was mental, but actually, I’m on my deathbed. And I remember texting you back and saying, ‘No, you’re not, because if you’re on yours, then I’m on mine, because I can’t live without you.” 

There is no doubt that Tamra is under an immense amount of pressure. It is hard to put on a happy face when you are watching someone you love suffering from this horrible disease. Teddi told listeners, “I remember being in such extreme pain. I could barely walk. I couldn’t see. I didn’t wanna do anything. I honestly didn’t know what to do because everything in my life is upside down.”

Tamra Judge is working with her RHOC rival Gretchen Rossi

Earlier this week, Tamra posted an Instagram Story hinting that she had quit in the middle of filming the newest season of the Real Housewives of Orange County. At the time Tammy Sue wrote, “It was a long run! When life gives you real problems this reality sh*t doesn’t make sense. Peace out. I’m out.” During Season 18, Tamra went hard on Shannon Beador and her DUI. Many felt she was cruel just for the sake of ratings. But amid Season 19, many are wondering if Tamra’s feet are being held to the fire. 

Tamra shared while speaking on her podcast, “I think I just hit a wall. There’s so much going on in my life, and it’s just I don’t know. I can just sit in one place and just stare at the wall for hours,” Tamra said. “It’s really hard to film like that when you feel like that.” However, Teddi gave her friend some words of advice. Tamra shared, “Teddi gave me a pep talk and that is like the first time I’ve laughed in so long. Like, we laughed, and she just yelled at me and said, ‘Listen to me, if I have to be bald and fat right now and going through this. You get your ass back over there.’”

Shannon Beador also threatened to quit RHOC when times got hard

For Tamra, it all might just be too much. With the return of her arch-nemsis, Gretchen Rossi, there is even more to contend with. An insider told In Touch Weekly, “Tamra Judge has been cited as being the No. 1 source for production leaks to the media and attempting to get bloggers and reporters to write defamatory and damaging stories about her castmates. She then goes and accuses others of doing it.” The insider added, “She keeps a folder on each member of the cast, and she has spent hours researching the internet looking for negative news that she can use against the cast during production.”

Tamra hasn’t been the only RHOC star to threaten to quit. For a brief moment, Shannon did claim she would walk away from the show, but she stuck it out. Nine lemons Beador wouldn’t give Alexis Bellino the satisfaction of quitting. So, I hope Tamra gets her second wind. 

The Real Housewives of Orange County is available to stream on Peacock.