RHOS' Nicole O'Neil addresses speculation she's leaving the show after missing reunion

Real Housewives of Sydney viewers were left shocked this week after BINGE announced fan favourite star Nicole O'Neil wouldn't be part of the reunion special. Caroline Gaultier, Dr Kate Adams, Krissy Marsh, Sally Obermeder, Terry Biviano and Victoria Montano will all appear in the special, which airs next week and is hosted by Joel Creasey.

And while there has been some speculation that Nicole will not be part of future seasons of the show after missing the reunion, the Housewife has revealed to Yahoo Lifestyle that this is not the case.

In an exclusive chat, Nicole addressed the rumours, telling us she couldn't attend the filming of the reunion due to a family commitment that had been in her diary since February, which everyone involved in organising the reunion knew about.

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"Unfortunately, there was a clash of days in regards to the reunion," she tells us. "There was never [initially] going to be a reunion, so it was only put into the schedule with two weeks notice, and I had a long-standing date in the diary that has been in the diary since February.

"And unfortunately, that must have been the only date that worked with everyone else. So, unfortunately, I couldn't attend because, as I say, family always comes first."

'Not at all ashamed'

Nicole reiterated that there was no bad blood or any other reason that she missed the reunion, explaining she would have loved to have attended.

"I wish I could have attended the reunion because I'm not at all ashamed in any part of how I behaved, and I'd be very happy to confront anyone who wants to discuss the show with me," she says. "I'm happy to answer anyone's questions about situations or details, and I would have loved to have had my opportunity to defend myself and my position and my behaviour. And, unfortunately, that just wasn't the case."

The reality star shares that she doesn't believe that not attending the reunion would mean she wouldn't appear in future seasons, saying, "There's been a lot of rumblings about season three, the show was very successful, and so I think that there's obviously talks of whether it will happen or not.

"I don't think that the fact that I wasn't at the reunion [means I won't return] – because I didn't take a stand, it was just a very unfortunate clash of dates, so I'm hoping that I will be welcome back for season three, because there's still a lot more that I'd like to share and say!"

'Disappointed'

When asked if there was anything that she wished she could have said at the reunion had she been there, Nicole explains that she was left 'disappointed' by where her friendship with Terry went after the pair fought during their trip to Tokyo. The fight appeared in the last two episodes of the season, and their friendship has never been the same, despite having been close for years before the show began filming.

"You know, there's nothing I wish I could have said except the fact that I am disappointed in the direction of where my relationship has gone with Terry, unfortunately," Nicole says. "You know, I came into this show with four friends thinking I'd get six, and it's just that's not the case."

Nicole adds that the positives to come from the show are that her relationships with Krissy and Victoria have "deepened", saying she also has a "great friendship" with Kate now.

'A bit upset'

Interestingly, Nicole is the only Housewife not to appear on the show's companion podcast, which is hosted by Joel and produced by Nova Entertainment, with no episode being released this week after the show's finale aired.

Nicole tells us she was meant to record a podcast with Joel about episode 10, but it never happened, with the reality star offering a message to him.

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"I'm not sure what happened, I think Joel Creasey was a bit upset with me that I didn't attend the reunion," she says. "I was always scheduled to record that podcast in regards to Episode 10. I'm so sorry Joel, but family always comes first. I know you're adorable, and I would have loved nothing more than to sit and have a chat with you. So hopefully, we can do that soon!"

When contacted for comment, Joel simply shared that "scheduling conflicts" prevented the podcast recording. Yahoo Lifestyle has also reached out to Nova Entertainment for comment.

The Real Housewives of Sydney is now available to stream on BINGE.

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