Much-maligned Kelly Dodd won’t be returning to “The Real Housewives of Orange County”, and neither will Braunwyn Windham-Burke or Elizabeth Lyn Vargas, a Bravo rep has said in a statement that also said, “The network declined to renew its contracts.”
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At least, one well-known face will be coming back to the show. Heather Dubrow, who appeared on Seasons 71 through 11 of the reality show, is confirmed to return for the upcoming 16th season.
Cast members Shannon Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter, and Emily Simpson are also returning, according to a source who also confirmed that two newcomers will be joining the cast list, one of whom is an “unknown” wealthy black woman.
Windham-Burke appeared on “RHOC” for two seasons while Vargas only appeared on the most recent season. But it was Dodd whom people wanted to be removed from the series because of her controversial opinions and comments about the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, Dodd described the pandemic as “God’s way of thinning the herd.” She later apologized for her remarks but didn’t appear to grow from her mistakes, coming under fire again in 2021 for mocking COVID-19 in a video filmed when she returned to the indoor dining.
In a video that has already been deleted, she was heard yelling “Cheers!” as someone yelled out, “To superspreaders.” One of her friends then fake-coughed after shouting, “Spread that s–t.”
Positive Beverage, a company Kelly Dodd helped to get off the ground fired her shortly after the videos went viral. The fury against Dodd only worsened after she wore a hat with the slogan “Drunk Wives Matter,” which many felt poked fun at the Black Lives Matter movement.
“It was not intended to offend or make any kind of statement. Of course, I support black lives and racial equality! Thank you all Love, Kelly,” she said in a statement after the controversy.
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Vargas’ storyline last season borders on her being raised in a religious cult. Windham-Burke, meanwhile, came out as gay in December after filming for Season 15 wrapped and spoke on the reunion about how she and longtime husband Sean Burke planned to stay married despite what she said.
