Alexis Bellino will not return to “Real Housewives of Orange County”: 'It did not come as a shock'

Alexis Bellino will not be taking part in the next season of The Real Housewives of Orange County.

The Bravolebrity revealed that she was "not asked back" for season 19 during the latest episode of Carlos King's Going Rogue podcast. Though she actually anticipated the decision, Bellino also admitted that she wasn't quite prepared for it.

Related: Alexis Bellino engaged to RHOC costar Shannon Beador's ex John Janssen: 'On cloud 9'

"I can’t say it came as a shock. It did not come as a shock," said Bellino. "I guess I wasn't really prepared and I didn't think contracts were coming out anytime. I thought we still had more time. [But] the cards played the way they did. How do they bring someone back who is not a fan favorite versus the fan favorite? I get that. When one door closes, another door opens."

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Bellino continued, “Nobody wants the rejection, [but] that's already happened to me. It happened to me on season 8. I've been there, done that. So it's like, okay, here we go again.”

Entertainment Weekly has reached out to Bravo for comment.

Bellino joined the series in 2011 during the fifth season, appearing as a full-time Housewife through season 8. She returned after a decade-long absence for season 18 earlier this year in a "friend-of" role. Bellino often clashed with longtime cast member Shannon Beador, as the two are entwined in a number of ways: Bellino's ex-husband Jim Bellino was embroiled in a defamation lawsuit against Beador in 2018, a legal battle that saw Beador emerge victorious. 

Related: RHOC's Shannon Beador baffled by Joel Kim Booster's 'pathetic drunk' tirade

Most notably, Bellino is currently engaged to Beador's ex-boyfriend John Janssen (a.k.a. Johnny J). Janssen and Beador were previously involved in a legal battle regarding an alleged $75,000 financial loan he claimed he gave her for a facelift, which was settled in November. During the contentious televised reunion last month, Bellino defended her relationship with Janssen and addressed the legal battle. the $75,000 he allegedly loaned her for a facelift.

"I don't want to fight. I just want to go out and speak the truth," she said backstage. "I'm not gonna bring him up, but they're going to continue with the lies, and I'm going to have to defend him because he doesn't have a voice. Shannon has had a voice for four years and he's kept quiet. The truth has not been out there. The truth has not been shown."

Season 18 also featured Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti, and Katie Ginella. Bravo has yet to announce which cast members will return.

Listen to Bellino's podcast episode above.

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