Plot Synopsis

This one-hour docu-reality series offers an inside look into the lives of a group of real-life housewives living in an exclusive gated Southern California community, exposing the excitement, extravagance and everyday drama that exists in their unscripted and unrehearsed lives. Reeling from the repercussions of divorces and dissolving friendships in Season 7, for the show's eighth season, Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Barney, Gretchen Rossi and Alexis Bellino welcomed new brunette Heather Dubrow, a former actress and now stay-at-home mother of four, who's married to a prominent Newport Beach plastic surgeon.

For Season 8, which premiered on Monday, April 1, 2013 at 8pm ET on Bravo, these five women welcomed a new housewife: OC heiress Lydia McLaughlin, who along with her husband Doug, owns and operates a high-end magazine that highlights the glamorous life of Southern California. In Season 8, Vicki finds herself on a roller coaster of emotions, celebrating the highs of being a new grandmother to Briana's new baby boy, while struggling to make her controversial relationship with Brooks survive. Tamra's life was paradise at the end of last season, as Eddie proposed on the beaches of Bora Bora, but reality starts to sink in when the couple moves in and struggles to merge their separate lives. Wedding bells and babies are on Gretchen's mind, and with her boyfriend, Slade, landing a job as a radio DJ, the path is paved for Gretchen to take the next big steps in her life. Heather's life as a stay-at-home mother takes a sharp turn as offers for acting roles on two popular sitcoms roll in. Feeling bullied and betrayed, Alexis turns to Vicki for comfort and friendship, but it's the new Housewife, Lydia, who appeals to Alexis' faith in an effort to achieve forgiveness -- with surprising and mixed results. On Monday, June 24, 2013 at 8pm ET/PT, RHoOC celebrated its 100th episode with a two-hour special that featured classic clips and interviews with current and former housewives.

Immediately following an all-day marathon (6am-9pm ET/PT) of encore episodes, RHoOC returned for its ninth season on Monday, April 14, 2014 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo. In Season 9, long-term friendships are put to the ultimate test as Vicki, Tamra and Heather are joined by two new ladies -- the quirky-yet-fearless Shannon Beador and the opinionated former beauty queen Lizzie Rovsek. Plus, a new friend of the housewives, Danielle Gregorio, finds herself caught up in the drama. In the season opener, Vicki finds her life in turmoil once again, as her divorce from Donn is finalized and she struggles to move forward with Brooks after his clash with Briana at last season's reunion. Newcomer Shannon gives Heather a peek into her quirky lifestyle choices. Heather invites Vicki and Tamra for a girls-only weekend trip to Honolulu following her guest role on HAWAII FIVE-O, but tensions arise when they try to get Heather to lose the fancy pants.

Bravo premiered the tenth season of THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY on Monday, June 8, 2015 at 9pm ET/PT, shortly after an all-day marathon (9am-8pm) of encore episodes from the show's ninth season. In Season 10, original housewife Vicki Gunvalson returns along with Tamra Judge, Heather Dubrow and Shannon Beador who are joined by the sexy and opinionated new housewife Meghan King Edmonds. Friend of the housewives, Lizzie Rovsek, also finds herself mixed into the drama as the ladies test the limits of loyalty, the depth of deceit and the bonds of friendship like never before. This season, the truth threatens to tear everyone apart, as one of the wives celebrates the miracle of life and another is stricken by tragedy. Vicki's on-again off-again relationship with boyfriend Brooks Ayres takes a big leap with the news that he has moved into her home in Coto de Caza. After finding herself on the outs last season, Tamra tries to reinvent herself as she celebrates the birth of her first grandchild. Heather is overwhelmed raising her four kids, launching her businesses and staying on budget as construction continues on their mega mansion, while her husband Terry spends more time working and less time by her side. Lastly, Shannon prides herself on being an open book, but with her marriage still a work in progress, she will do whatever it takes to keep her family together.

On Monday, June 20, 2016 at 9pm ET/PT, Bravo premiered the eleventh season of THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY. with Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Judge, Heather Dubrow, Shannon Beador and Meghan King Edmonds returning. dThis season, friendships are tested, forgiveness is earned, and alliances turn, when a new bold and brash housewife, Kelly Dodd. Last season left Vicki on the outs with the ladies, but with Brooks finally out of the picture; she tries to get her friendships back on track and helps her daughter Briana move back to Orange County. As Tamra gets ripped for a fitness competition, her son Ryan's relationship with baby mama Sarah is ripped apart. Heather's mega mansion is way behind schedule as she finds herself in single mom territory as Terry works more than ever. Shannon and David find their marriage rekindled and renewed but the stress of selling their house and moving into a new one threatens to throw her into a downward spiral. Step-mom Meghan is ready to take the leap to biological motherhood when she tries IVF to get pregnant, but is frustrated that her baseball husband, Jimmy Edmonds, might not be as hands-on as she would like.

Bravo premiered Season 12 of RHoOC on Monday, July 10, 2017 at 9pm ET/PT, with Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Judge, Shannon Beador, Meghan King Edmonds and Kelly Dodd all returning, along with familiar face, Lydia McLaughlin (Season 8), who is back to mend broken friendships in the OC. With wounds still fresh from last season, the ladies draw their lines in the sand. They are joined by new housewife Peggy Sulahian, marking the 100th housewife to join the franchise. This season, things are looking up in Vicki's life -- her relationship with new beau Steve is getting serious, her business is expanding and she finally has her daughter Briana and grandbabies back in the OC. Except, Vicki and Tamra still find themselves at a major crossroads in their decade long friendship. Tamra, still filled with anger and resentment from last season's accusations, struggles to find forgiveness. Her feud with the OG of the OC has pushed her even closer to God as she reconnects with her old friend Lydia over bible study. Back into the fold, Lydia tries to reclaim her title of "Friendship Whisperer" by attempting to mend fences with Vicki and Tamra, but quickly realizes that being Switzerland will be easier said than done. The residual stress from last year's bus ride from hell leaves Shannon in a vulnerable state as she tries to refocus her energy on getting into shape, keeping the spark alive in her marriage and caring for the newest member of the Beador clan, dog Archie. New mom Meghan finds motherhood rewarding but difficult as she struggles with lack of sleep, post-partum hormones and Jimmy being an overbearing father. Meanwhile, for Kelly, her marriage to Michael is still complicated, but when Tamra and Shannon befriend her, it makes everyone around her question what her motives are. In the season opener, "The Great Divide," Vicki is busy expanding her business and moving offices, Tamra is reuniting with an old friend, while Shannon struggles with her weight and her marriage. Kelly's concerned her mother's becoming a hermit and Meghan is making her way back to Orange County after the birth of her baby, Aspen. Returning housewife Lydia is determined to bring Tamra and Vicki back together.

Season 13 of THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY premiered on Monday, July 16, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo, as Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Judge, Shannon Beador and Kelly Dodd are joined by two feisty new housewives Emily Simpson and Gina Kirschenheiter. After the surprising reconciliation between Vicki, Tamra and Shannon at last season's reunion, the ladies are working to rebuild their friendship and regain each other's trust. But they all know it will take more than a hug to repair the rumors, betrayal and damage done over the years. Newly single, Shannon and Kelly have both moved into new homes and find that they are approaching their post-divorce life very differently, as they navigate the dating world, raise their daughters and launch their own careers. Vicki and Steve's relationship is still going strong, but the OG of the OC wants him to commit and be more than just a boyfriend. Meanwhile, Tamra fears that a health scare for Eddie could have bigger consequences than just sidelining her husband from CUT Fitness. In the spirit of reconciliation and new beginnings, Tamra brings her estranged friend Emily and acquaintance Gina into the group to shake things up in the OC.

The fourteenth season of THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY premiered Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo. Tamra Judge, Shannon Storms Beador, Kelly Dodd, Gina Kirschenheiter and Emily Simpson return for the new season and are joined by new housewife Braunwyn Windham-Burke. Season 14 highlights include: Tamra moving on up, settling into her new home behind the gates of the neighborhood that started it all, Coto de Caza; Shannon, having shed over forty pounds and the baggage of her marriage, is back on the fun bus as she juggles her many suitors; Kelly has ditched her "bench" in favor of her new boyfriend, Dr. Brian, a plastic surgeon; Gina leans on the ladies more than ever as she opens up about her heartache and mistakes, while powering her way through a difficult year; Emily carries the full load of her home life, functioning as a single mother to her three young kids and step kids, while Shane is busy studying for the California Bar exam; new housewife Braunwyn, brought into the group through Kelly, is a mother of seven with a full house including a baby, toddler, twin kindergarteners and three teenagers; Vicki finds herself in the hot seat once again after hopping on the rumor mill train, but Steve finally pops the question that she has been eager to hear. In the season opener, "New Friend, New Flames," Shannon feels better than ever after shedding over forty pounds and the baggage of her marriage. She immediately hits it off with Kelly's new friend, Braunwyn, a mom of seven children. Gina starts the year dealing with the ramifications of a recent DUI, while Emily takes on the role of single mother when her husband Shane studies for the California BAR exam. Kelly settles down and is smitten with her new beau, a successful plastic surgeon. Tamra has moved into a new home in her dream neighborhood of Coto de Caza, but is troubled that her sons are not speaking.

Season 15 of RHOC premiered Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo. Returning for season 15 are housewives Shannon Storms Beador, Kelly Dodd, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson and Braunwyn Windham-Burke, who are joined new housewife Elizabeth Lyn Vargas,a soon to be divorcee who is ready to kick off the next chapter of her life with a little fun in the OC. The season documents their lives from February to August 2020 with self-shot footage during quarantine. 2020 starts off on a real high for the ladies with new homes, boyfriends, a fiance and a new a hip. Past secrets emerge and newfound happiness is questioned as the ladies press to find out if everything is what it seems. The impact of coronavirus definitely takes its toll on the women and their relationships at home and with each other as they each try to adjust to their new reality. Shannon starts the year off in complete bliss with her boyfriend John and a new place to call home for her and her three daughters in Newport. As the sole member left in the Tres Amigas, Shannon makes peace with Kelly, but quickly gets herself into hot water with a few of the ladies. When the news of coronavirus hits, it brings her anxiety to all-time high and causes tension between her and John when a division arises over house rules with the kids during lockdown. Shannon's worst fears eventually come to fruition when she learns that along with her three daughters, she too has contracted COVID-19. She documents their journey to recovery on her cell phone. Starting the year off on a high following her engagement to Fox News Reporter Rick Leventhal, Kelly is eager to settle into their new home in Newport as she waits for him to officially get transferred to the LA bureau. During stay-at-home orders, Kelly makes waves among the ladies when she jet-sets around the country visiting New York City, the Hamptons and Miami. As the election looms, Kelly's political beliefs and tone-deaf jokes threaten her relationships with the women. After a difficult year, Gina is happier than ever as she moves into her new townhome with her boyfriend Travis and their combined six children. Tensions with the ladies arise when she hears that some of the women are criticizing her new home. Trying her best to co-parent, Gina celebrates her daughter's birthday and invites her ex-husband and his new girlfriend. Meanwhile, she is faced to make a tough decision regarding her ex-husband that could change the dynamic of her family. With the coronavirus shutting down schools, Gina faces new challenges as she struggles to home-school the kids while facing criticism for not joining the ladies for a "quarantine happy hour." With a new hip and outlook on life, Emily experiences a rebirth in her marriage with Shane. She even lets "fun Emily" out and finds an unexpected ally in the group. When she is presented with an opportunity to design a bathing suit, she dives headfirst to pursue her true passion. While in quarantine, Emily and Shane really lean on each other when times get tough, ultimately testing the true strength of their marriage. 2020 is a year of renewal for Braunwyn as she moves into a new 8000 square foot home in Newport, celebrates 20 years of marriage to her husband Sean and embarks on a new journey of her own. During the lockdown, Braunwyn settles into parenting seven children without the help of her nannies and housekeepers. From supporting her son Jacob's desire to dress in drag to addressing the children's anxieties, Braunwyn has her hands full as she strives to give each child individual attention. As she opens up to the women about her past, she finds a common bond with new housewife Elizabeth, yet struggles to see eye to eye with some of the other ladies over her participation in local protests and her political views. And when the ladies learn that Braunwyn's friend Shari spends nearly every day with her during quarantine, they begin to question her choices. Elizabeth is welcomed to the group through Kelly who she has known for a few years from the Newport party circuit. Born and raised in Missouri, Elizabeth always dreamed of living a life of luxury on the beaches of Orange County and with the help of her soon to be ex-husband, her dream has become a reality. Currently a CEO of an online music company, Elizabeth is ambitious, outspoken and ready to have fun. As she deals with her ongoing divorce, her lifestyle as well as her complex and sexless relationship with boyfriend Jimmy creates a lot of speculation from the women and they start to scrutinize who she is really is.

RHOC's sixteenth season premiered on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 from 9-10:15pm ET/PT on Bravo. After a five-year hiatus, Heather Dubrow makes her return to the franchise joining veteran Housewives Shannon Storms Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter and Emily Simpson. Plus, the ladies are introduced to new Housewives Dr. Jen Armstrong and Noella Bergener. Heather is back living the dream in her 22,000 square foot home in Crystal Cove with her husband Terry and four children. Their kids are starting to look at colleges and find their own voices, especially Max who recently wrote a book for parents about teenage sexuality. After many years, Heather and Shannon reunite and instantly find themselves at odds over loyalty and betrayal. Heather also introduces a friend of hers to the group only to find out a shocking truth behind who she really is. Convinced that it's never too late to have fun and find true happiness, Shannon's business is on the rise and her relationship with John is thriving. Shannon questions who her true friends are in the group, after she finds herself in hot water with Heather, leading to issues of trust with Gina and Emily. And with her oldest daughter away at school and the twins prepping for college, she is starting to fear her looming empty nest. Gina is looking to the future and works to launch her own skincare business. With her boyfriend Travis' unflinching support, Gina continues to co-parent her three children with her ex-husband Matt. Still close to her bestie Emily, Gina becomes fast friends with fellow New Yorker Heather and the two take a trip to the Big Apple. As Gina puts her hardships behind her and her self-esteem grows, the ladies wonder if she is just confident or too arrogant. Emily returns with a renewed look after a couple plastic surgeries - a new jawline and bustline. With Shane busy working after finally passing the bar, Emily finds herself with more time on her hands to dedicate to her daughter Annabelle's upcoming Mormon baptism and to helping wrongly convicted individuals in the justice system. Forever inquisitive, Emily often inserts herself in the middle of conflicts but is also accused of being an instigator when she asks Noella about her looming divorce. After meeting Gina and Emily last year, aesthetic MD, Dr. Jen Armstrong immediately integrates into the group by performing cosmetic procedures on the ladies. Emotionally guarded at first, Jen develops a quick bond with Heather but has trouble making a real connection with Noella. Married to her husband Ryne, she is a proud mother to three children. She embodies the alpha female persona as she runs her own practice, provides for her family and helps her mom prepare for a move to the OC. Dr. Jen has always been an overachiever and is now launching a division of her practice that specializes in a unique magnetic brain treatment. Noella Bergener's world is turned upside down when her husband unexpectedly files for divorce. Her lavish lifestyle gets ripped out from underneath her as the divorce poses questions about her financial future while she cares for her children. While her shocking predicament makes the others question what is really going on, Noella finds solace in her friendship with a sympathetic Shannon. With news of a recent death in her family, Noella finds her emotions, patience, and friendships tested, but that doesn't keep her from doubling down and speaking her mind even when it results in a fiery backlash.

Season 17 of THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ORANGE COUNTY debuted on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT on Bravo. Ready to take back her orange after she was last seen in a bush, Tamra Judge makes her triumphant return to the franchise to shake things up joining veteran Housewives Shannon Storms Beador, Heather Dubrow, Gina Kirschenheiter and Emily Simpson. New housewife Jennifer Pedranti is introduced to the ladies through her friend Tamra and quickly finds her voice in the group. No stranger to the franchise, RHOBH veteran Taylor Armstrong marks the first housewife to switch cities as she joins the OC ladies as a friend. After a two-year break, Tamra Judge is back with a new perspective and is ready to repair a few broken friendships. After almost ten years in business, Tamra and Eddie close their beloved gym CUT Fitness. Tamra comes in hot and her reconciliation with Shannon does not go as planned. Tamra is holding everyone accountable, especially her friend Jennifer, but when the narrative doesn't add up, it leads to some explosive confrontations. Shannon Storms Beador is trying to keep the positive energy around as she looks to mend her fractured friendship and rebuild trust with her former bestie Tamra. Once Tamra and Shannon clear the air, it makes way for the Tres Amigas to reunite as the OG of the OC Vicki Gunvalson joins the fun for tequila and keg stands. When the group brings up concerns about the status of her relationship with John Janssen, Shannon continuously reassures them everything's fine. The spotlight on her relationship makes Shannon question who she can trust in the group. As the whispers become louder, things quickly take a turn for the worse during a long weekend in Mexico and she struggles to keep her relationship afloat. With her twins off to college on opposite coasts, Heather Dubrow embraces a new chapter of her life. Heather is determined to dive back into her acting career and launch a new business venture, but she questions whether she can accomplish it all. Planning for the future, Heather and Terry purchase a high-end getaway penthouse in one of the ritziest buildings of Los Angeles. With the ladies, Heather lands herself in the middle of Tamra and Shannon's feud, but when they finally reconcile, she wonders where she fits in between their friendship. Gina Kirschenheiter and Travis join forces in real estate, hoping to be a dynamic duo, but first she has to pass the exam and get her license. When one of the ladies tells a story about infidelity, it sets Gina back emotionally and she is forced to deal with repressed emotion about her ex's affair. She is informed that her style of friendship is not up to Heather's standards, but as Gina works to prove her loyalty, she feels continually shut down. With Tamra back in the group, Gina feels it's complicating her bond with the women, and when she gets involved in the chatter about Shannon's relationship, her past comes back to haunt her. With her husband Shane working as a full-time lawyer, Emily Simpson fulfills her dreams of being a stay-at-home mom as she supports Annabelle's modeling aspirations, while continuing to help the wrongly convicted as part of the California Innocence Project. In a turn of events, Emily reconnects with Tamra, as the two develop a close friendship after working through their tumultuous past. Never leaving room for unanswered questions, she seeks the truth from all her friends, but finds herself in hot water with Shannon and Heather when she shares her own opinions. Brought into the group through Tamra, new Housewife and yoga studio owner Jennifer Pedranti is a mother of five with children ranging from 5 to 18. A strong advocate for fostering children and animals, she recently adopted her youngest child Dominic. She is currently navigating her recent split from her husband, Will, who runs her family business, as they share a home. Her alleged affair with her now boyfriend and CUT Fitness member Ryan has been the subject of the gossip mill in town. Her friendship with Tamra is put to the test, as she is forced to explain the rumors and confront difficult truths. Taylor Armstrong moved to Orange County nearly ten years ago and is brought into the circle after becoming fast friends with Tamra. As Taylor pursues an acting career and is offered her first movie role, she seeks coaching and advice from Heather. However, Taylor feels slighted when Heather dismisses her offer to be a part of the cast, causing a tidal wave of discussions with the group about Heather's character, and an epic showdown about IMDB credits.
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RHOC's 18th season debuted on Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo, with Shannon Storms Beador, Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson and Jennifer Pedranti returning for the new season. New to the season is housewife and former golf reporter Katie Ginella, a friend of Gina 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. Familiar face Alexis Bellino (Seasons 5-8) rejoins the franchise as a friend, bringing her fiery personality and a heightened level of drama as she revels in her controversial new relationship with Shannon's ex-boyfriend, John Janssen, who she fondly refers to as Johnny J.

Following a very difficult year, Shannon Storms Beador is doing her best to move forward as she faces the consequences from her DUI. With her twins in college, this empty-nester is left trying to mend her fractured friendships. However, she's continuously in the hot seat as her life choices are questioned. Things get awkward for Shannon when her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend, Alexis Bellino, threatens to bring damaging information about her past.

Always on the move, Heather Dubrow and husband Terry find themselves routinely commuting between Orange County and their new estate in Beverly Hills. Their Balboa Bay Club penthouse suite serves as OC ground zero with Terry's practice and his mother around the corner. After many years of friendship, Heather and Gina find themselves at odds over loyalty and betrayal. Heather isn't quick to warm up to new housewife Katie, and their relationship takes a wrong turn when Katie confronts her about an old rumor.

No longer a Tres Amiga, Tamra Judge is putting her energy into developing stronger friendships and helping her daughter Sophia, who recently turned 18, navigate her gap year. As Tamra and Eddie enjoy a new home in Big Bear, they also decide it might be time to sell their longtime home in OC. Tamra's damaged friendship with Shannon is hotly contested as she wonders if Shannon is truly remorseful for her accident. Also, her new improved friendship with Jennifer is put to the test when Eddie and Ryan get into a heated debate.

Gina Kirschenheiter has leveled up as a realtor, but her professional reputation is called into question after one of the ladies puts her in a sticky situation. Her relationship with Travis takes an unconventional turn when deciding she wants to live separately, but stay together. On top of this, as Gina watches bestie Emily get close to Tamra, she wonders if their friendship will remain the same.

Emily Simpson has gone through an incredible transformation after losing 40 pounds and finds herself trying to adjust to her new healthy lifestyle. Her obsession with the gym has affected her relationship with food, family and friends. When she's not helping the wrongly convicted as a part of the California Innocence Project, she's questioning the ladies on everything from integrity to intentions. Her closeness with Tamra causes those around her to wonder if Emily is taking her opinions too far.

Jennifer Pedranti is ready for a fresh start with Tamra while also trying to prove that her boyfriend, Ryan, is worthy of redemption. She feels a lot of her life is up in the air as she waits for her divorce to be finalized and figures out her financial future. While some of the ladies in the group wonder if she has truly learned from her past mistakes, Jennifer finds some commonality with new housewife Katie. As she strives to make new changes and keep her head afloat, it all culminates when Ryan's name is involved in a national bombshell that rocks Orange County.

New to Orange County, Katie Ginella and her husband, professional golf journalist Matt Ginella, recently moved from San Diego. She's looking to expand her circle of friends while working to launch her own cocktail line. Now ready to learn more about her Korean heritage and connect to her roots, Katie decides to explore her adoption further and meet her birth mother. 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.

A longtime friend of Heather and Emily, Alexis Bellino comes in full force ready to make waves. She finds her footing with most of the ladies and starts fresh with Tamra, but she instantly finds herself on shaky ground with Shannon as they face off in a series of high-stakes disputes.