The Real Housewives of Orange County has had a vast cast over the years. In January 2020, one of the OG cast members Vicki Gunvalson decided to leave the show after a co-star Tamra Judge was offered a part-time role in season 15 regardless of her full-time role since 12 years.
Kelly Dodd
courtesy: E! Online
Dodd left RHOC after 5 seasons in June 2021 ahead of season 16.
The Arizona native thanked Bravo for the opportunities and said she’ll miss the ladies and crew of Evolution through a tweet after the news was released. She was very excited to work on new projects with her husband Rick Leventhal whom she met on the show.
Braunwyn Windham-Burke
courtesy: Vulture
After 2 dramatic seasons, the mom of seven decided to leave the series just prior to season 16.
She filed for divorce from Sean Burke in October 2022 after 23 years of marriage including an open relationship since she came out as a lesbian in December 2020.
She mentioned in a statement to People in June 2021 being sad about leaving the series but felt proud of being able to stay sober on reality TV after revealing during season 15 about her being an alcoholic.
Braunwyn proposed to her one year girlfriend Jennifer Spinner in July 2023.
Elizabeth Lyn Vargas
courtesy: X
Elizabeth’s exit was announced in May 2021 shortly after joining RHOC in 2019.
The entrepreneur whole-heartedly thanked the cast, crew and fans while talking about filming the series during COVID and also took the chance to promote her latest business venture, Vargas Vodka.
Vicki Gunvalson
courtesy: E! News
Gunvalson left the show in January 2020 after 14 seasons during the end of which she was moved down from her full-time role to ‘friend’ status.
She has put her wedding on hold after getting engaged to Steve Lodge in 2019 due to COVID.
Tamra Judge
courtesy: PEOPLE
Tamra chose to walk away from the show in January 2020 after 12 seasons due to demotion from her full-time role to part-time role for season 15. Being a cancer survivor herself, she has also been dealing with Simon Barney, her ex-husband’s stage 3 throat cancer.
After leaking of news by Jill Zarin, the reality star confirmed her return to RHOC for season 17 in July 2022.
Gretchen Rossi
courtesy: IMDb
Just prior to season 9, Gretchen left the show in 2013 and re-appeared only for cameo in season 12.
The former reality star talked about the journey of becoming a mother through IVF with Us Weekly on multiple ocassions. She announced her first pregnancy with her fiancé Slade Smiley in December 2018 and welcomed daughter Skylar in July 2019.
She also talked about wanting more children and being blessed to have a daughter.
Heather Dubrow
courtesy: E! Online
Heather exited the show in 2016 after joining in season 7 and continuing for another 5 seasons.
She along with her husband, Terry fully supported their daughter, Max coming out as bisexual in June 2020. In June 2021 she returned to RHOC after a 5 year long break.
Jo De La Rosa
courtesy: reality tea
After starring as full-time cast for season 1 & 2, guest appearances in season 3 & 4 and also her own spinoff, Date My Ex: Jo and Slade for some time Joe shifter he career to advertising.
In 2015, she got engaged to the CEO and founder of Empire Digital, Mark Lovette but about just a year later, she apparently removed his pics from her Instagram confirming their separation and instead got married to Taran Gray in May 2022.
She also talked about her co-star, Gretchen Rossi and ex-fiance Slade Smiley dating in October 2022 with Us saying it was weird to see her ex moving on.
Lauri Peterson
courtesy: parade
Lauri left after being full-time cast member for first 4 seasons and guest appearance on season 5 & 8. She adopted her son Josh’s daughter, Kennedy in 2015 due to Josh’s issues with substance abuse after having two adult daughters with her husband George.
According to Los Angeles Times, Lauri fought during Josh’s court hearing after being arrested for allegedly shooting a man in California and fleeing with a stolen car in 2016. Even through twitter she stated about his son being falsely accused.
After being released from prison in March 2020, Josh’s death at the age of 35 was announced by his mother, Lauri through Instragram.
Tammy Knickerbocker
courtesy: NickiSwift
Tammy re-appeared as a guest for season 4, 5, 6 & 10 after having a full-time role for season 2 & 3.
She told Yahoo TV in April 2014 that while maintaining a close relationship with her older daughters, Lindsey and Megan she also coparents her youngest son Riley with his father, Duff Evans.