‘RHOC’ Cast Shakeup: Kelly Dodd Out, Heather Dubrow Returns For Season 16
After an extended hiatus, The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 16 is getting ready to start shooting. With a new season, there’s a major cast shakeup underway that will completely revamp the show. A new report suggests Kelly Dodd will be getting the ax while alum Heather Dubrow will be getting back her orange.
Who is returning and who is not returning to ‘RHOC’ Season 16?
Fans of RHOC rejoice as the show gets ready for a cast shakeup. When season 16 of the reality series returns to Bravo, there will be some faces missing from last season. The major news of the day is that Dodd has been cut from the cast and will not be returning after a troubled year full of controversies. Dodd joined the show in season 10 and made it all the way through season 15.
During Dodd’s first season of the show, she famously clashed with Dubrow who was no fan of her crass language on camera. The reality series took a different tone and Dubrow was out by the end of the season. Funny enough, as Dodd leaves the show, Dubrow will be snatching that orange out of her hand. Variety is reporting that the former actor has signed on as a full-time housewife for season 16. The Jenny alum first joined the show in season 7 and went all the way through season 11. Viewers of the long-running reality show had been longing for Dubrow’s comeback and it will finally be happening when the show returns later this year.
Other housewives that will be departing as Braunwyn Windham-Burke, who was one of the stars for two seasons, and Elizabeth Lyn Vargas, who had just joined the show in season 15. Shannon Beador, Emily Simpson, and Gina Kirschenheiter are expected to keep their oranges and continue on the series.
Is Tamra Judge returning?
One housewife that fans would also like to see a return to RHOC is Tamra Judge. The latter is one of the most iconic stars of the franchise having joined since season 3. However, after 12 years on the show, Judge called it quits when she was only offered a limited role for season 15. At the time, her ex-husband had just been diagnosed with cancer and she thought it would be best to opt out of the show to be there for her kids.
As rumors of the show’s return ramped up, Judge was asked by a fan if it was true she was returning to RHOC with Dubrow.
“I know nothing about this! I’d come back as Heather’s ‘friend.’ That sounds like a fun roll [sic],” Judge replied on her Instagram Stories.
Another one of her followers would also ask her if she would take a reduced role or if that was even a possibility.
“I think a friend roll [sic] would better fit my life right now. It’s complicated,” Judge posted.
The fitness maven seems to be open to the idea of returning to RHOC but only in a limited role. Bravo is expected to start production on The Real Housewives of Orange County starting in June of this year.
