With the release date of The Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC) season 18 drawing closer and closer, here is everything we know about the hit reality show.
The Bravo series follows the lives of affluent housewives residing in one of the wealthiest communities of Southern California. Having begun in 2006, RHOC was the show that kickstarted The Real Housewives franchise and since its inception, there have been 11 different spinoff series in the United States alone.
Season 17 of RHOC wrapped in October 2023 with a three-part reunion, and now fans are eager to get their hands on information about the next season—which finished filming earlier this year.
Here is everything we know about the upcoming season so far. Newsweek emailed a Bravo spokesperson for comment Friday.
Season 18 Release Date
RHOC season 18 premieres on Thursday, July 11, at 9 pm ET/PT on Bravo. It becomes available the next day to stream on Peaco*ck.
According to US Weekly, the cast wrapped filming in April. However, cameras were picked back up in May after news broke that Jennifer Pedranti's fiancé, Ryan Boyajian, was reportedly connected to the Shohei Ohtani Major League Baseball gambling scandal.
In March, the interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Ohtani, Ippei Mizuhara, confessed to wagering millions of Ohtani's money through an illegal bookmaker for years. Mizuhara is expected to plead guilty in court this year.
A New Housewife
Season 17 followed the lives of Tamra Judge, Heather Dubrow, Shannon Storms Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson and Pedranti, who will all be returning for season 18 alongside one new housewife.
Having made her debut in season 3, Judge is the longest-running housewife in the franchise. While having a brief hiatus for seasons 15 and 16, she has been on the show ever since.
Dubrow starred on the show from seasons 7 to 11 before deciding to give it a miss. She eventually changed her mind and returned in season 16—and has been back ever since.
Storms Beador first appeared on RHOC in season 9 and has been a member of the cast ever since. She was arrested in October 2023 for a DUI hit-and-run, which she will discuss on the show. According to Bravo, she "is doing her best to move forward as she faces the consequences from her DUI."
Kirschenheiter and Simpson both joined the cast in season 13, making the upcoming season their sixth as a part of the franchise.
Pedranti joined the RHOC cast on season 17 and became the first cast member to return for a second season since season 14. This season will see her try and keep her head afloat after her fiancé's name is involved in the gambling scandal that rocks Orange County.
This year's newcomer is former golf reporter Katie Ginella
"New to the season is Housewife and former golf reporter Katie Ginella, a friend of Gina [Kirschenheiter] who instantly wedges herself into the group along with her opinions. Born in South Korea and adopted into a Catholic family in Georgia, Katie is a busy mom of four with children ages 6 to 19," a press release states.
"After meeting the ladies, Katie immediately finds herself smack dab in the middle of the drama and gets a quick lesson in how loyalty works in the OC."
Familiar face Alexis Bellino will be returning as a "friend" of the show. Former housewives Vicki Gunvalson, Jo De La Rosa, Jeana Keough and Tammy Knickerbocker will all make guest appearances.
Departing Housewife
Taylor Armstrong was an original cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. In 2022 it was announced that she would join RHOC season 17 as a "friend of the housewives." This meant she was the first housewife to transfer franchises.
However, in November she revealed on Instagram that she would not be returning for season 18, without giving a reason why.
"Loved spending time with the ladies of #RHOC and thankful I got to give the viewers an update on my life. I've made some real friendships that I cherish. Wishing the ladies all the best for season 18. P.S. Adding season 17 to my IMDb [wink emoji]," she wrote.
Season 18 Trailer
The trailer for RHOC season 18 teases a "whirlpool of emotions" as the women address lies, betrayal, and blackmail within their group. The women also take trips to Big Bear, Sonoma, Palm Springs, and London.
Uncommon Knowledge
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