Alexis Bellino Returning to RHOC as a Friend amid Relationship with Costar Shannon Beador’s Ex

Grab your Alexis Couture because Alexis Bellino is officially back The Real Housewives of Orange County!

The 46-year-old mother of three — who made her debut as an Orange County housewife in season 5 — will return as a fellow housemate in season 18, a source close to the production confirmed to PEOPLE. TMZ first broke the news.

Bravo is not commenting on the casting, and a rep for Bellino did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. But another insider tells PEOPLE that Bellin’s relationship with the cast made her return easier, even after more than a decade away.

“Alexis feels energized and excited to be back in the mix,” says the source. “He has authentic relationships with a lot of girls, so it’s completely natural to spend time with his girlfriends.”

Emily Simpson, Gina Kirschenheiter, Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Shannon Storms Beador and Jennifer Pedranti.

Andrew Eccles/Bravo via Getty Images

Filming for the new season began earlier this month and is currently underway in the beloved California beach town, with Tamra Judge, Heather Dubrow, Emily Simpson, Gina Kirschenheiter and Jennifer Pedranti all invited back for another run.

Taylor Armstrong, who made history last season with her cast, announced in November that she would not be returning to the series.

Shannon Storms Beador is also back full-time and faces an uphill battle this season. Not only did Judge reveal that the two former friends had a falling out, but Bellino is now dating Beadora’s ex-boyfriend, John Janssen.

Alexis Bellino and John Janssen.

Alexis Bellino/Instagram

Fans will remember Janssen (61) for his timing RHOC. He and Beador dated for three and a half years before he “blindsided” her by breaking up in late 2022 (divorce exclusively reported by PEOPLE). The two found a way to become friends again, though ties ended shortly after Beador’s arrest in September for an alleged DUI and hit and run.

“I’ve spent the last six weeks focusing on myself and eliminating toxic and unhealthy things in my life — both things and people,” she said in November at BravoCon 2023. “I’m moving forward and being positive.”

Beador might not be so positive when she comes face to face with Bella. She has already criticized Janssen in the press for his relationship with Bellina, saying Hey! News in December that she was “hurt” and still trying to figure out “how to process” their relationship after Janssen told her he no longer wanted to be in the public eye.

“How Many Housewives of Orange County Were There?” she asked. “Is that your date of choice?”

Shannon Beador at BravoCon 2023.

Rich Polk/Bravo via Getty

Shannon Beador calls out exes for hypocrisy over their relationship with Alexis Bellino — and how RHOC Alum ‘ravaged’ her

There’s also the fact that Alexis’ ex-husband Jim also previously sued Beador in a well-publicized defamation lawsuit in 2018. Beador won the case in October 2020, but still lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in the defense process.

“John is very familiar with the litigation that I was involved in with Jim Bellino, and Alexis was involved in that litigation,” Beador told the news outlet. “For years I was financially and emotionally destroyed. And I won. But it destroyed me financially. And I’m a single mother. John is aware of that.”

Alexis Bellino and John Janssen.

Nydia Alvarez

Shannon Beador starts The Real Housewives of Orange County Filming season 18 after a DUI and treatment

It is not clear whether Janssen will film this season with Bellin, who has left RHOC 2013 after the 8th season and later appeared as a guest in the 14th season.

PEOPLE broke the news that the two were dating in early December. The duo met in November through mutual friends at Orange County restaurant The Quiet Woman.

By Christmas, he gave her a promise ring, which she immediately showed off on Instagram. “Words can’t. Actions can,” Bellino wrote in the caption of the post. “I won’t feel guilty anymore. I won’t apologize. Love will create its own story. I love you Johnny J. 🎄♥️.”

Alexis Bellino ring.

Alexis Bellino/Instagram

Bellino has continued to share their romance on social media, including at a birthday party he threw for her earlier this month. Her new relationship comes after breaking off her engagement to ex-fiancé Andy Bohn, which PEOPLE broke the news about in September.

As for the haters questioning her now, Bella didn’t seem to mind them. “Johnny J, let everyone talk, but you’ve shown me love like I’ve never known,” she wrote in December. “I love you ❤️.”

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All seasons The Real Housewives of Orange County currently airing on Peacock.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education