Real Housewives Of Orange County Season 18 News: Who’s In, Who’s Out?!

Andy Cohen remains the king of Bravo’s reality TV line-up. And whether producing from behind the scenes, hosting a reunion, or creating controversy on his Watch What Happens Live talk show, Cohen seems to own all the power.

As a result, his recent discussion with his pal and Bravo expert Jeff Lewis stunned fans. Because, as revealed below, Andy seemed to hint that he would let Lewis influence the casting of the Real Housewives Of Orange County (RHOC) season 18!

Real Housewives Spoilers – Taylor Armstrong OUT!

Season 18 of the Real Housewives Of Orange County (RHOC) has sparked multiple casting controversies. And Bravo producer/reunion moderator/talk show host Andy Cohen tackled the topic with his pal and fellow Bravo expert Jeff Lewis via Us.

First, Lewis asked about Taylor Armstrong, who recently left RHOC. But Jeff, 53, asked Cohen, 55, “Why not bring back Taylor Armstrong?” And on Sirius XM’s Jeff Lewis Live, Cohen admitted that he didn’t know why she exited the show. 

However, Lewis pushed for answers. And he pointed out that Taylor “seems like a good value. You weren’t paying her that much. I think she was giving you guys, I mean, a lot. Why would you not bring her back? What is that reasoning?”

But Taylor herself confessed she didn’t know why Bravo fired her after her single season as a friend on season 17 on RHOC.  And Armstrong admitted, “I got to know the girls and we’re gonna maintain our friendships. But I was quite surprised,” she added. 

Real Housewives Spoilers – Vicki Gunvalson ‘Thirsty’?

However, Lewis also asked Cohen about Vicki Gunvalson. The 61-year-old famously reigned as a star on RHOC before becoming a “friend of” guest rather than a leading lady on season 14. And after a pause from season 15 to 16, Vicki returned as a guest last season. 

But Lewis pushed Cohen to give Vicki an orange (main cast members each hold an orange on the show’s intro). However, Andy disagreed. And he pointed out, “I thought last season was a great amount of Vicki. I thought she came in, she came out. She was fun. She’s light as a feather.”

But Gunvalson doesn’t want a lower level role next season. And she claimed, “I went on as good faith, thinking I would show the network that I love them, I love filming [and to show] my value,” she said. “But if I go back [as a ‘friend’], it looks thirsty.”

And rather than Vicki, Cohen hinted that Alexis Bellino could return. The 46-year-old recently began a romance with John Janssen, who previously dated RHOC star Shannon Beador from 2019 to 2022. And Andy pointed out that Alexis possesses a lot of connections to the current cast.

For instance, Bellino “and Tamra [Judge] made up at BravoCon,” noted Cohen. “And then she and Heather [Dubrow] have gotten close over the last few years.” Season 18 of the Real Housewives of Orange County will star Judge, 56, Beador, 59, Dubrow, 54, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti, and Gina Kirschenheiter, according to the latest rumors.

Tell us what you think. Would you like to see Vicki and Taylor return? And do you want to watch Alexis clash with Shannon over John Janssen? After you share your views, check back on our site for more reality TV news.