8 months ago
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Alexis Bellino has rejoined “The Real Housewives of Orange County” in a friend role, Page Six can confirm.
“Alexis is back!” a production source raves to us, adding that she is expected to film for the entirety of Season 18.
Earlier this month, Page Six exclusively reported that she received a “formal offer” to rejoin the cast.
Shortly after production kicked off, Bellino was spotted filming with Heather Dubrow and Emily Simpson this week.
The trio was seen enjoying a meal together, captured by a nearby camera person.
Per one photo, surfaced by fans via social media, Dubrow and Simpson are seen indulging in what appear to be espresso martinis, while only Bellino’s back and cascading blond curls are visible.
Page Six has reached out to reps for Bellino and Bravo for comment.
Bellino was seen filming “RHOC” with series veterans Heather Dubrow and Emily Simpson. X/@BallardBerndThe pic comes weeks after insiders told us that Bellino, 47, was asked to return to the Bravo hit as her relationship with John Janssen — the ex-boyfriend of “RHOC” veteran Shannon Beador — becomes more serious.
For more Page Six reality TV updates
Subscribe to our weekly “Housewives Hangover” newsletter Listen to our “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast Shop our exclusive merch“Her relationship with John is certainly interesting,” one source told us. “But it’s not the only reason producers want Alexis back. She’s a dynamic personality who has history with a good portion of the cast.”
Bellino is currently dating Shannon Beador’s ex John Janssen. alexis_bellino/InstagramIn November 2023, Bellino — who starred on “RHOC” in Seasons 5 through 8 from 2009 until 2013 — told Page Six that she was open to the possibility of reprising a role.
“I’ll never say never,” she said at one of Kathy Hilton’s several Christmas parties in Los Angeles, admitting that her presence would inevitably “start a little drama” with Beador given her new connection with Janssen, 60.
That same night, Simpson said that she was all for a Bellino-Beador showdown.
Bellino, pictured here with Tamra Judge, previously starred on “RHOC” in Seasons 5 through 8 from 2009 to 2013. Bravo“I want to see that! That is good TV,” she said. “I’m sorry, but bring Alexis back and let Shannon spiral out of control.”
Weeks prior, a photo of Bellino and Janssen seated together in a booth at The Quiet Woman — a favorite haunt of Beador’s in Newport Beach, Calif. — set the Bravo fandom ablaze, with many wondering if the two were romantically involved.
By December, the pair confirmed they were an item by packing on the PDA during a holiday party with friends. Subsequently, Bellino revealed via Instagram that Janssen gifted her a promise ring for Christmas — and dropped the L-word while doing so.
“Words cannot. Actions do. I will no longer feel guilty. I will not apologize. Love will create it’s [sic] own story. I love you Johnny J. 🎄♥️ #lovewins #notengaged #promised #merrychristmas,” she captioned a close-up shot of the new rock on her right ring finger.
“I’ll never say never,” Bellino told Page Six in November 2023 of a potential return. Getty ImagesMeanwhile, Beador has admitted that she was “hurt” and “confused” by the relationship, adding that she did not “know how to process” the news.
TMZ was the first to report on Bellino coming back to the show as a “friend of” the cast.
Bravo has yet to announce a cast or premiere date for the next installment of “The Real Housewives of Orange County.”
