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According to a rumor, Shannon Beador is perhaps getting demoted to a ‘friend’ next season on the Real Housewives of Orange County, as execs are considering the full-time return of Alexis Bellino.
Last season, fans turned on Alexis as she seemed to go after Shannon, the ex-girlfriend of her new fiancé, John Janssen. In the new season, alum Gretchen Rossi took Alexis’ ‘friend’ spot in the cast. Now, some viewers are unhappy with Shannon because she ended her friendship with Katie Ginella (who allegedly showed Alexis a secret voice recording of Shannon’s meltdown).
Next year will mark the show’s 20th season. As of now, it’s unclear what production is planning, though many assume there will be nods to the original cast. Jo De La Rosa has started making appearances in recent episodes, but her future on the cast is a mystery.
Speaking to Bravo and Cocktails, a source recently claimed that production is looking to shake things up a bit next season.
“Ahead of RHOC’s landmark 20th season, producers have begun eyeing a full-time return for Alexis Bellino to spotlight her pre- and post-marital journey with John Janssen,” said the source. “The move comes after last year’s decision to side with Shannon over Alexis, which is a choice executives now view differently, as Shannon has been increasingly difficult to film with (refusing to reconcile with certain castmates and experiencing frequent emotional meltdowns).”
“Ideally, Alexis will join Tamra, Heather, Gina, Emily, and Jen [full-time]. Gretchen Rossi is expected to appear as a ‘friend of,’ (if she ends the season on a decent note), alongside a new cast member with ties to Heather and Gretchen’s lavish Newport social circle,” the source continued. “Executives still plan to invite Shannon back in a reduced ‘friend’ capacity, though they are prepared to move forward without her if she declines.”
According to the source, Katie is not “expected to return,” but this could change “following the reunion.”
“Producers are also still looking to tap legacy OC housewives Vicki Gunvalson, Jeana Keough, Kimberly Bryant, Jo De La Rosa, and Lauri Peterson for either a 20th anniversary party or a special dinner event,” the source went on. “Despite recent rumors, there are no plans to end the franchise after season 20.”
New episodes of The Real Housewives of Orange County air on Thursday nights on Bravo.