Alexis Bellino rejoins ‘RHOC’ in friend role, spotted filming with Heather Dubrow and Emily Simpson
Alexis Bellino has rejoined “The Real Housewives of Orange County” in a friend role, Page Six can confirm.
“Alexis is back!” a production source raves to us, adding that she is expected to film for the entirety of Season 18.
Earlier this month, Page Six exclusively reported that she received a “formal offer” to rejoin the cast.
Shortly after production kicked off, Bellino was spotted filming with Heather Dubrow and Emily Simpson this week.
The trio was seen enjoying a meal together, captured by a nearby camera person.
Per one photo, surfaced by fans via social media, Dubrow and Simpson are seen indulging in what appear to be espresso martinis, while only Bellino’s back and cascading blond curls are visible.
Page Six has reached out to reps for Bellino and Bravo for comment.
The pic comes weeks after insiders told us that Bellino, 47, was asked to return to the Bravo hit as her relationship with John Janssen — the ex-boyfriend of “RHOC” veteran Shannon Beador — becomes more serious.
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“Her relationship with John is certainly interesting,” one source told us. “But it’s not the only reason producers want Alexis back. She’s a dynamic personality who has history with a good portion of the cast.”
In November 2023, Bellino — who starred on “RHOC” in Seasons 5 through 8 from 2009 until 2013 — told Page Six that she was open to the possibility of reprising a role.
“I’ll never say never,” she said at one of Kathy Hilton’s several Christmas parties in Los Angeles, admitting that her presence would inevitably “start a little drama” with Beador given her new connection with Janssen, 60.
Dubrow’s husband, “Botched” star Dr. Terry Dubrow, recently shared his thoughts on Bellino’s return during an exclusive chat with Page Six, teasing that his wife — who championed her comeback for years — had something to do with it.
“Heather and Alexis have gotten really close over the last several years. They have a lot in common and she’s a really, really nice girl,” the plastic surgeon, 65, said, adding that a Bellino-Beador crossover was inevitable with or without cameras.
“I will tell you that Orange County is a bubble. It is a very small community and Alexis and Shannon will run into each other one way or another and it would be nice for things to sort of work out.”
Simpson has said she is holding out hope for some sort of showdown between the women.
“I want to see that! That is good TV,” she told Page Six in November 2023. “I’m sorry, but bring Alexis back and let Shannon spiral out of control.”
Weeks prior, a photo of Bellino and Janssen seated together in a booth at The Quiet Woman — a favorite haunt of Beador’s in Newport Beach, Calif. — set the Bravo fandom ablaze, with many wondering if the two were romantically involved.
By December, the pair confirmed they were an item by packing on the PDA during a holiday party with friends. Subsequently, Bellino revealed via Instagram that Janssen gifted her a promise ring for Christmas — and dropped the L-word while doing so.
“Words cannot. Actions do. I will no longer feel guilty. I will not apologize. Love will create it’s [sic] own story. I love you Johnny J. 🎄♥️ #lovewins #notengaged #promised #merrychristmas,” she captioned a close-up shot of the new rock on her right ring finger.
Meanwhile, Beador has admitted that she was “hurt” and “confused” by the relationship, adding that she did not “know how to process” the news.
TMZ was the first to report on Bellino coming back to the show as a “friend of” the cast.
Bravo has yet to announce a cast or premiere date for the next installment of “The Real Housewives of Orange County.”
