Real Housewives of Orange County alum Gretchen Rossi is set to make her much-anticipated return to the Bravo franchise for its 19th season.
Bravo confirmed the news on Instagram, writing, “She’s back and ready to make fetch happen. Gretchen Rossi joins #RHOC for Season 19!”
Rossi, who was a main cast member from Seasons 4 through 8, will rejoin the show in a “friend” role.
According to Variety, Rossi first appeared on RHOC in 2008 while engaged to Jeff Beitzel, who passed away shortly before her debut season aired. Her relationship with Slade Smiley, which began in Season 5, sparked drama among the cast, with some questioning its authenticity.
Per Daily Mail, Rossi exited the show at the end of Season 8 after proposing to Smiley, who accepted. Though the couple never married, they will celebrate 16 years together in February and share a daughter, Skylar Gray Smiley, born in July 2019.
Season 19 will feature the full returning cast from last season, including Rossi’s longtime rival, Tamra Judge, alongside Shannon Beador, Heather Dubrow, Jennifer Pedranti, Katie Ginella, Gina Kirschenheiter, and Emily Simpson. However, Alexis Bellino, who appeared as a “friend” in Season 18, confirmed her departure in December 2024.
While Bravo has yet to announce a premiere date, Variety reports that production is already underway.
