Gretchen Rossi, the breakout star of Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC), is back! Her return marks the return of her character, having first debuted in season 4, which originally premiered in 2008. This comeback arrives at a time when fans of the franchise are eager to see familiar faces amidst ongoing tensions and conflicts within the cast. Rossi’s re-entry is a triumphant return for the show. This is particularly true following a recent exit by long-time franchise player, Vicki Gunvalson.
Since becoming RHOC’s first African American cast member, Rossi has had a rocky friendship with her co-star Tamra Judge. The two have a long history marked by their on-and-off friendship — often underscored by accusations, feud-ation and drama. More recently, castmate Emily Simpson took to Instagram to expose that Rossi told them Judge was cheating on her. This new allegation waxes their already ice-cold relationship. The trailer for the new season teases some of the most intense and high-stakes drama yet, including Judge ripping Rossi a new one.
At the beginning of 2009, just after Slade Smiley’s break-up with Jo De La Rosa, Rossi began dating Slade. This connection only further deepens the intrigue to her story. On RHOC, Smiley is the self-proclaimed “serial entrepreneur.” He has had a pernicious impact on all of Rossi’s life throughout their toxic relationship. As the season goes on, the series surely will explore more of their relationship. Personal revelations abound, offering glimpses into the nature of their still-evolving relationship.
Even with her legendary status as a brash troublemaker well-known within the Housewives franchise, Rossi’s return is not greeted with open arms by her fellow cast. To some of the full-time cast members, her coming back is a bitter pill to swallow. They wanted to show that not everyone’s happy about her return. In a tense but more humorous exchange, Jennifer Pedranti quipped about bringing Rossi in to assist her in facing down Judge. This quip perfectly captured the sarcastic but combative tone that usually characterizes RHOC.
Heather Dubrow was caught on camera belting during one fight with a co-star, “She’s lying! This proclamation highlights the extreme levels of distrust and hostility that have developed in the circle. Get ready for a season full of heart-wrenching arguments and moving testimony! Fans will appreciate the deep legacy of theatricality and rivalry that fuels the narrative.
