Gretchen Rossi is returning to The Real Housewives of Orange County with some friends — and an enemy.
After Us Weekly confirmed that Gretchen will appear as a “friend” of the cast for season 19, many costars were quick to welcome her with open arms.
“Welcome Back @gretchenrossi!” Heather Dubrow wrote via Instagram with a variety of throwback photos. “Swipe for some fun memories… and some bad hair 😂😂😂 #RHOC19 And away we go…”
Gina Kirschenheiter, who has yet to film a whole season with Gretchen, took a different approach.
Not all Real Housewives give up their diamonds — or peaches/apples — for good. Bethenny Frankel, NeNe Leakes and Dina Manzo are among the ladies who left their respective franchises only to return years later. While Bethenny, NeNe and Dina all returned in a full-time role, other women, including Camille Grammer and Danielle Staub, made […]
“Figured I should hop on here real quick and kiss Gretchen’s ass like everyone else,” she wrote via Instagram. “I couldn’t find pictures of her and I together. I hate the new Apple update on the photos. But here’s a few very flattering photos of Gretchen for your viewing pleasure.”
Gretchen proved she had a sense of humor when she replied in the comments section, “Haha! 🤣😂 You are seriously so funny! Look forward to laughing this season together 😍.”
As cameras prepare to pick up for season 19, keep reading to see where Gretchen stands with the other Housewives:
Stronger together. Despite their struggles, The Real Housewives of Orange County alums Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley have maintained their happiness over the years. The pair met while filming the fifth season of the Bravo series in 2009 and got engaged four years later. While the couple have not tied the knot yet, they did […]
Katie Ginella
Before entering her second season as a Bravo Housewife, Katie was able to form a friendship with Gretchen.
“When you join the cast, you hear about ex cast members, but I really just wanted to give what I get,” Katie exclusively told Us in January 2025 about their unexpected bond. “I met Gretchen, and she’s a lovely woman. We’ve become really good friends. Jenn and I hang out with her all the time. I love Gretchen.”
Jennifer Pedranti
Away from any cameras, Jennifer has also been able to develop a friendship with Gretchen. As seen on Instagram, the duo have attended charity events together and even had double dates with their partners.
“Omg my cheeks hurt from laughing with you girls! Love you two❤️,” Gretchen wrote via Instagram after enjoying a night out at Mastros with Jennifer and Katie. “Thanks for inviting us to dinner.”
Heather Dubrow
Gretchen starred in the seventh and eighth seasons of The Real Housewives of Orange County with Heather before she left the show in 2013. Since then, the pair have remained friendly and share mutual friends including Heather Rae El Moussa.
“Look forward to a fun season together! ❤️” Gretchen wrote via Instagram after Heather welcomed her back to the cast.
Emily Simpson
Although Emily and Gretchen have not filmed a whole season together, the “Legally Brunette” podcast host previously said on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen that Gretchen “has always been kind to me.”
Gina Kirschenheiter
It appears Gina will be coming into a new season of RHOC with an open mind about Gretchen. After the real estate agent called her a “new friend” and welcomed her to the show via Instagram, Emily chimed in writing, “You forgot to add that you made this only AFTER I texted you 😂😂.”
Tamra Judge
If there’s one dynamic to watch out for in season 19, it will have to be Tamra and Gretchen’s relationship. The pair didn’t see eye-to-eye while filming during seasons 4 through 8. One memorable moment was when Tamra tried to get her costar “naked wasted” at a dinner party.
In 2024, Gretchen was asked to share her thoughts on Tamra’s behavior in previous seasons. Spoiler alert: She wasn’t impressed.
“I think it’s sad that she’s been getting away with harming so many people for years now,” she wrote via her Instagram Story in October 2024. “In my experience, she makes up horrible lies about people with no remorse of how it affects their actual lives.”
When Gretchen’s return was confirmed, Tamra took to Instagram and wrote, “I guess it’s time to dust off those friendship bracelets… my bestie’s back 😉🍊 #RHOC #15Seasons #LongestRunningHousewife.”
Shannon Beador
In 2021, Gretchen expressed her support for Shannon after she had a falling out with Tamra.
“For goodness sakes, her best friend Shannon and her [are] no longer friends,” Gretchen shared with Us in 2021. “After a while, you start to look at the common denominator and you start to go, ‘OK, well who’s the problem here?’ Because in most of those relationships, she was the one that always was causing the drama or the issue.”
After news broke of Gretchen’s return to RHOC, Shannon wrote via Instagram, “Welcome @gretchenrossi ❤️.”
The Real Housewives of Orange County season 19 premiere date has yet to be announced. Fans can catch up on past seasons now via Peacock.
