Insider Scoop on ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’ Season 18: Cast Updates and More

Everything to Know About 'The Real Housewives of Orange County' Season 18: Who's Back and More

The Real Housewives of Orange County. Andrew Eccles/Bravo

Fans of Bravo's The Real Housewives of Orange County can look forward to some changes in the cast for season 18. Taylor Armstrong, who joined the show in a friend role for season 17 in June 2023, announced in November 2023 that she would be leaving RHOC after just one season on the reality series. Taylor had previously appeared on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

She shared on Instagram how much she enjoyed her time with the ladies of #RHOC and appreciated the opportunity to provide viewers with an update on her life. She mentioned that she has formed genuine friendships that she holds dear and wished the ladies the best for season 18.

A month later, Jeff Lewis voiced his criticism towards Real Housewives executive producer Andy Cohen for not inviting Taylor back for another season. During a December 2023 episode of SiriusXM's "Jeff Lewis Live," he expressed his confusion, stating that it seemed like a missed opportunity given the value Taylor brought to the show despite not being paid much. Lewis questioned the reasoning behind not bringing her back.

Cohen simply replied, “I don’t know,” to which Lewis questioned, “Why [does] nobody consult me?”

Keep scrolling for the latest updates about The Real Housewives of Orange County season 18:

When Does ‘RHOC’ Season 18 Premiere?

A release date for the new season of RHOC has not been announced.

Everything to Know About 'The Real Housewives of Orange County' Season 18: Who's Back and More

Casey Durkin/Bravo

Is Season 18 of ‘RHOC’ Already Filming?

According to reports, filming for season 18 of RHOC started in early 2024. Terry Dubrow, husband of Heather Dubrow, revealed exclusively to We in February that filming had begun. Despite being told not to share details, the Botched star couldn't resist teasing, "I’m instructed not to talk about it, and I promise I won’t except to say, ‘Whoa.’"

Who Will Be Returning for Season 18 of 'RHOC'?

He shared, "I am a house husband and I prefer to stay out of any drama. I feel like drama is like a wildfire that you have to deal with. I am curious to see how things will unfold."

Bravo has not yet confirmed if Heather, Tamra Judge, Shannon Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, and Jennifer Pedranti will return for season 18 of RHOC. However, several cast members have hinted at their participation through social media. Tamra, for example, shared a throwback picture from season 3 on Instagram in April 2024, reminiscing about her first season finale party and mentioning that she will soon be wrapping up her 14th season.

In that month, Gina posted a photo on Instagram of herself in a pink photo booth. She captioned the pic with, "I'll just be in here spilling the tea..." and included RHOC-related hashtags.

Everything to Know About 'The Real Housewives of Orange County' Season 18: Who's Back and More

Casey Durkin/Braavo

Will Alexis Bellino Return to ‘RHOC’ for Season 18?

Bellino, known for her role on seasons 5 through 8 of RHOC, is rumored to make a comeback in season 18 as a friend. Bravo has not confirmed her return yet.

In January 2024, speculation about her comeback grew when she was seen filming at a restaurant with Heather, Emily, and a camera crew.

Will ‘RHOC’ Season 18 Cover Shannon Beador’s DUI?

Shannon Beador was arrested for crashing into a residential property while driving under the influence in September 2023. It is worth noting that the show’s season 17 reunion aired a month later, even though the episode was filmed before her DUI incident.

Shannon Beador was charged with a DUI and hit-and-run in October 2023. The following month, she was sentenced to three years probation. In a statement to Us, she expressed gratitude that no one else was injured in the incident. Beador acknowledged her mistake and emphasized the dangers of driving while impaired.

The scandal surrounding Beador's DUI was not discussed on the previous season of RHOC. It is probable that her DUI will be a significant topic of conversation during season 18.

Everything to Know About 'The Real Housewives of Orange County' Season 18: Who's Back and More

Casey Durkin/Braavo

Sneak Peek into ‘RHOC’ Season 18

Heather revealed in a February 2024 interview with Page Six that they are currently filming season 18 of ‘RHOC’. She hinted that viewers can expect some surprising twists and turns, stating that "truth is stranger than fiction." Get ready for an exciting season ahead!

Gina shared on the “Got It From My Momma” podcast that she was surprised by the changes in friendships and dynamics. She mentioned being shocked by the unexpected shakeup and transitions that took place. It was something she never thought would happen, and it completely blew her mind.

In addition, Gina expressed disbelief at the thought of seeing Shannon and Alexis together in the same room. This feeling arose because Alexis started dating John Janssen, who is Shannon’s ex, towards the end of 2023.

Where is the RHOC Season 18 Cast Trip Happening?

The RHOC season 18 cast trip is set to happen in London. A Bravo Instagram fan account recently shared posts from the cast's April 2024 Instagram Stories, showing pictures from their flight to England.

Kelly Dodd, a previous RHOC star, appeared to confirm in an Instagram video that the cast had traveled to London that month.

In the video, Kelly mentioned receiving many messages about The Real Housewives of Orange County being in London and people wanting her to join and cause chaos. However, she clarified that she was not interested in starting any fights as she was currently enjoying a trip with her daughter, Jolie.

Editor's P/S:

The upcoming season of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" promises to deliver a captivating blend of drama, intrigue, and surprising twists. The departure of Taylor Armstrong after just one season has sparked speculation and raised questions about the show's future direction. Executive producer Andy Cohen's decision to not invite her back has been met with criticism, with some questioning the value Taylor brought to the series.

Furthermore, the arrest of Shannon Beador for driving under the influence has cast a shadow over the show. It remains to be seen how this incident will be addressed in season 18, but it is likely to be a major topic of discussion. The rumored return of Alexis Bellino as a friend and the unexpected shakeup in friendships and dynamics will further add to the excitement and anticipation surrounding the upcoming season. The cast trip to London promises to provide a glamorous backdrop for the ladies' escapades, and with filming already underway, fans can eagerly await the unfolding of the drama and surprises that lie ahead.