This summer, the drama in the OC is coming in hot. Need some proof? Well, the upcoming Season 18 of The Real Housewives of Orange County makes it clear that these oranges aren't afraid to bring the juice. When the new season premieres this July, the returning cast will be joined by a first-time 'Wife as a familiar face also returns to the group (and she's not holding back).
This season of RHOCmarks a historic milestone as the Real Housewives franchise celebrates 100 seasons over 18 years and 11 cities.. Preview the drama in the trailer above!
Who is the cast for RHOC Season 18?
Shannon Storms Beador, Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson and Jennifer Pedranti will be joined by new Housewife Katie Ginella. But that's not all!
Alexis Bellino makes her grand return to RHOC to hang with the crew as a friend of the group (her boyfriend, John Janssen, also pops up). Sutton Stracke, Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave, and Vicki Gunvalson also all appear when the new season kicks off this summer.
Shannon Storms Beador
Following a very difficult year, Shannon Storms Beador is doing her best to move forward as she faces the consequences from her DUI. With her twins in college, this empty-nester is left trying to mend her fractured friendships. However, she’s continuously in the hot seat as her life choices are questioned. Things get awkward for Shannon when her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend, Alexis Bellino, threatens to bring damaging information about her past.
Heather Dubrow
Always on the move, Heather Dubrow and husband Terry find themselves routinely commuting between Orange County and their new estate in Beverly Hills. Their Balboa Bay Club penthouse suite serves as OC ground zero with Terry’s practice and his mother around the corner. After many years of friendship, Heather and Gina find themselves at odds over loyalty and betrayal. Heather isn’t quick to warm up to new housewife Katie, and their relationship takes a wrong turn when Katie confronts her about an old rumor.
Tamra Judge
No longer a Tres Amiga, Tamra Judge is putting her energy into developing stronger friendships and helping her daughter Sophia, who recently turned 18, navigate her gap year. As Tamra and Eddie enjoy a new home in Big Bear, they also decide it might be time to sell their longtime home in OC. Tamra’s damaged friendship with Shannon is hotly contested as she wonders if Shannon is truly remorseful for her accident. Also, her new improved friendship with Jennifer is put to the test when Eddie and Ryan get into a heated debate.
Gina Kirschenheiter
Gina Kirschenheiter has leveled up as a realtor, but her professional reputation is called into question after one of the ladies puts her in a sticky situation. Her relationship with Travis takes an unconventional turn when deciding she wants to live separately, but stay together. On top of this, as Gina watches bestie Emily get close to Tamra, she wonders if their friendship will remain the same.
Emily Simpson
Emily Simpson has gone through an incredible transformation after losing 40 pounds and finds herself trying to adjust to her new healthy lifestyle. Her obsession with the gym has affected her relationship with food, family and friends. When she’s not helping the wrongly convicted as a part of the California Innocence Project, she’s questioning the ladies on everything from integrity to intentions. Her closeness with Tamra causes those around her to wonder if Emily is taking her opinions too far.
Jennifer Pedranti
Jennifer Pedranti is ready for a fresh start with Tamra while also trying to prove that her boyfriend, Ryan, is worthy of redemption. She feels a lot of her life is up in the air as she waits for her divorce to be finalized and figures out her financial future. While some of the ladies in the group wonder if she has truly learned from her past mistakes, Jennifer finds some commonality with new housewife Katie. As she strives to make new changes and keep her head afloat, it all culminates when Ryan’s name is involved in a national bombshell that rocks Orange County.
Katie Ginella
New to the season is housewife and former golf reporter Katie Ginella, a friend of Gina who instantly wedges herself into the group along with her opinions. Born in South Korea and adopted into a Catholic family in Georgia, Katie is a busy mom of four with children ages 6 to 19.
New to Orange County, Katie Ginella and her husband, professional golf journalist Matt Ginella, recently moved from San Diego. She’s looking to expand her circle of friends while working to launch her own cocktail line. Now ready to learn more about her Korean heritage and connect to her roots, Katie decides to explore her adoption further and meet her birth mother. After meeting the ladies, Katie immediately finds herself smack dab in the middle of the drama and gets a quick lesson in how loyalty works in the OC.
Alexis Bellino
Familiar face Alexis Bellino (seasons 5-8) rejoins the franchise as a friend, bringing her fiery personality and a heightened level of drama as she reveals her controversial new relationship with Shannon’s ex-boyfriend, John Janssen, who she fondly refers to as Johnny J.
A longtime friend of Heather and Emily, Alexis Bellino comes in full force ready to make waves. She finds her footing with most of the ladies and starts fresh with Tamra, but she instantly finds herself on shaky ground with Shannon as they face off in a series of high-stakes disputes.
When does Season 18 of RHOC premiere?
Season 18 of The Real Housewives of Orange County kicks off with a supersized premiere on Thursday, July 11 at 9/8c. Episodes will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.
