Gretchen Rossi Announces Return to ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ for Season 19
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Gretchen-Rossi-012925-305104a4003f44ecbc794709aa84cc2e.jpg)
Gretchen Rossi, a familiar face to fans of “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” is making a comeback in the upcoming season 19 of the popular reality TV show. The news of Rossi’s return has created quite a buzz among loyal viewers and followers of the show.


Rossi, who is 46 years old, will be reintroduced to the show in a part-time capacity as a “friend” of the main cast members. Filming for the new season has already begun, with other cast members like Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Shannon Storms Beador, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti, Katie Ginella, and Gina Kirschenheiter all making a return to the series.
Alexis Bellino, who appeared as a friend of the group in the previous season, announced her departure from the show while guest-hosting the “Going Rogue” podcast last month. It was revealed that she was not invited back to join the cast for the upcoming season.
Bravo wasted no time in welcoming Rossi back to the show, sharing the news on social media by stating, “She’s back and ready to make fetch happen. Gretchen Rossi joins #RHOC for Season 19!” Rossi herself also teased her return on Instagram Stories, writing, “Here we go!! #rhoc,” indicating her excitement to be rejoining the cast.
Rossi first joined “The Real Housewives of Orange County” in 2008 during season 4, when she was engaged to Jeff Beitzel, who sadly passed away from cancer. Following Beitzel’s passing, Rossi began a relationship with Slade Smiley, adding a layer of drama and intrigue to the show.
Throughout her time on the series, Rossi’s personal life, including her engagement to Smiley and their journey towards parenthood, has been closely followed by viewers. Despite leaving the show after season 8, Rossi made a guest appearance in season 12, maintaining her connection to the RHOC franchise.
In 2013, Rossi proposed to Smiley, and the couple welcomed their daughter Skylar Gray Smiley in July 2019. Their relationship has been a central storyline on the show, with Rossi sharing intimate details about their life together.
Rossi’s return to “The Real Housewives of Orange County” promises to bring a fresh dynamic to the show, as fans eagerly await to see how her presence will impact the unfolding drama among the cast members. With her strong personality and compelling personal story, Rossi is sure to captivate audiences once again as she navigates the ups and downs of life in the world of reality TV.
In conclusion, the announcement of Gretchen Rossi’s return to the show has reignited interest and excitement among fans of “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” As season 19 unfolds, viewers can look forward to seeing Rossi’s journey unfold on their screens, bringing a mix of drama, emotion, and entertainment to the popular reality TV series.
