“Bachelor” Alum Amanda Stanton Says She Almost Joined “Real Housewives of Orange County”

Amanda Stanton, a familiar face from Bachelor Nation, has recently opened up about her decision to decline an invitation to join the cast of The Real Housewives of Orange County. In a candid discussion on the ‘Between Us Moms’ podcast, she explained the reasoning behind her choice, underscoring her prioritisation of her daughters as they navigate their teenage years.

Stanton, now 35, initially considered participating in the reality series when her children were younger. However, as her daughters, Kingsley and Charlie, have grown older, she has reassessed the potential implications of being in the public eye. “When the girls were younger, I was like, maybe I would be open to doing something like that,” she stated. “But now that they’re in these teenage years, they’re so sensitive, and I don’t want to embarrass them. So I feel like now, more than ever, I don’t even share — I still share a lot on social media — but I don’t share as much about their personal lives or certain things. Because this age is tough. So, it’s a hard no.”

Despite never having watched any of The Real Housewives series, Stanton did express enthusiasm for a specific upcoming show: The Real Housewives of Rhode Island. This new series will feature her former co-star from Bachelor in Paradise, Ashley Iaconetti. “I’m so excited for that,” Stanton said, adding that she believes Iaconetti will make compelling television.

Stanton’s reality television journey began when she appeared on Ben Higgins’ season of The Bachelor in 2016. Following her departure from the show, she participated in Bachelor in Paradise, where she became engaged to Josh Murray in Season 3. However, the engagement was short-lived, leading her to return for Season 4, where she briefly dated Robby Hayes.

In a significant life change, Stanton married Michael Fogel, a real estate entrepreneur, in 2022. Their wedding plans included a sweet touch from her daughters. “Kins is my maid of honour,” Stanton shared. “She likes to help me with everything. And Charlie is the flower girl. They are both very happy with their positions.”

Stanton has embraced her blended family with Fogel, who she began dating after two years of friendship. “It was so nice that we already knew each other,” she reflected. As they settled into family life, her daughters eagerly welcomed Fogel as their stepfather. “Now, my girls are really excited to officially call him their stepdad!” she commented.

In 2024, the couple expanded their family with the birth of a baby girl, Rosie, which made Stanton a mother of three daughters. Moving away from the common expectations of having a son, she expressed her joy about being a “girl mom.” “It’s so much fun. It’s so fun. Everyone always asks me if I’m disappointed that [Rosie] wasn’t a boy,” she explained. “And I just love being a girl mom so much. It’s the best.”

Stanton noted that her older daughters have taken on an active role in caring for their new sister. “I think they didn’t really know what to expect, and everyone kept saying, ‘Oh, they’re going to be such big helps,'” she said. “And now that the baby’s here, I mean, she’s their baby. They want to play with her, change the diapers, do everything. So they’re so helpful.”

With her decision to steer clear of the reality television spotlight, Stanton remains focused on ensuring a positive upbringing for her daughters. Her choices reflect a thoughtful approach to parenting, balancing personal ambition with the welfare of her family. As she looks forward to watching her friends thrive in new ventures, it appears that for Stanton, family will always come first.