‘RHOC’: Noella Bergener’s Husband Finally Breaks Silence On Divorce Drama
Noella Bergener came in hot with a storyline on The Real Housewives of Orange County. The new housewife was in the middle of filming season 16 when she received the shocking news that her husband James Bergener had filed for divorce. Noella was taken aback by the situation and things are getting messy on social media that has prompted James to break his silence.
James Bergener gives his side of the story
After Noella said she was left shocked when she got served with divorce papers amid filming RHOC, James is telling his side of the story. His statement comes after Noella says James abandoned their child as he left California to reside in Puerto Rico.
“My divorce from Noella was granted December 8 here in Puerto Rico. It is something I never wish I had to do,” he said in a video he shared on Instagram. “I have always been supportive of Noella and all that she has wanted to accomplish. Her dream was always to be on the show.”
James said that producers of the reality series had “vetted” Noella’s home years before she got on the show to see if they could film there in case she was cast. Noella’s estranged husband said he was happy when she was finally given an orange but also noticed a shift in her right after.
“As filming got closer and closer — she changed. Our sole focus became the show. We rarely spoke and when we did, it end up in fights,” he added. “She retained an attorney and then shortly thereafter, my attorney reached out to me and said, ‘Noella is filing for separation.’ I had to leave.”
James came to the conclusion that “Noella chose the show over me and the family. I love Noella but I do not know who she is anymore.”
Lastly, James said that since the separation he is “healthy and happy” and is “focused on being a better person” for himself and his son.
Noella Bergener debunks husband’s claims
After James shared a series of videos to defend himself from the allegations raised about him, Noella also took to Instagram to debunk some of his claims. The RHOC star said that it had been the first time in 5 months that he had reached out to her.
“He asked for my help with his PR [and] I said of course,” she shared on Instagram. “I told him to stop holding up support, get his son a gift for Xmas & that I was going to use my settlement to buy a home for our family and I’d publicly thank him. Hours later he posted this.”
Noella said she didn’t understand why her estranged husband was doing all this. She also said that James wanted to use her fame on the show to promote his business.
“He was my biggest cheerleader throughout the process. Only after his background check revealed he had lied to me for years about his tax debts did he hesitate,” Noella said. “At this point, 4 days before filming, it was too late to pull out, and frankly the show was the only thing keeping him honest.”
Noella Bergener talks about James as a dad
Things between Noella and James are not in a great spot, which is only going to affect their son. Noella revealed that James has not seen his son despite traveling in and out of Orange County.
“James has been in & out of OC multiple times in the past 5 months shooting a commercial, getting Botox & going out but hasn’t seen his son once,” she said.
Noella also said that “James fraudulently filed for divorce in Puerto Rico due to his tax scheme. It is under appeal since he lied multiple times in his testimony and jurisdiction is in California where we’re residents and were married.”
The Real Housewives of Orange County airs Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.
