Alexis Bellino has experienced some blowback since returning to Real Housewives of Orange County. Many feel that the way that she champions her boyfriend, John Janssen, is a turn-off. Plus, John previously dated Shannon Beador. So there is tension between the two ladies. But don’t worry. The woman formerly known as Jesus Jugs has a friend in Tamra Judge.
Tamra Judge and Alexis Bellino are moving forward
“If you told me years ago that Alexis Bellino and I would be friends one day, I would have told you you were absolutely f*cking nuts. But here we are!” Tamra told People.
Bravo icon Andy Cohen is partially responsible for their reconciliation. “The night of the Bravos, they had a big party for us afterwards back at the hotel. And at that point, I think they might have been talking to Alexis about coming back,” Tamra explained. “I’m not completely sure — but I hadn’t seen her in years and suddenly there we were, with Andy literally standing over us as we talked!”
Although Alexis departed RHOC after Season 8, Tamra felt bitter towards Alexis because in 2018, Jim Bellino, Alexis’ husband at the time, sued her for defamation to the tune of $1 million. In 2021, both parties reached a settlement. “I really blamed Alexis for that just as much as I did Jim, but she stood there that day and she apologized to me and said, ‘I told Jim that was a bad idea. I don’t think he should have sued you,'” Tamra stated.
Meanwhile, Alexis had a lot on her plate. She split up with her fiancé, and her mom had recently passed away. “So I just felt a lot of compassion for her and told her right then and there that I forgave her, and I was sorry too, and that it was all in the past,” Tamra said. “We’ve moved past it. I apologized, she apologized — it was just time to start anew.”
Some fans have speculated that Tamra made up with Alexis to spite Shannon. “People have been like, ‘You’re just trying to get back at Shannon,’ and that really had nothing to do with it at all,” Tamra said. She added that Alexis wasn’t sure about returning to the show. “She told me, ‘I don’t want to kick Shannon when she’s down.’ But I knew she was a single mom, and I really just encouraged her to do what she thought would be right for her for her own independence,” the Vena CBD owner said.
I’m enjoying having Alexis on the show, and hope she returns next season.
The Real Housewives of Orange County airs every Thursday at 9/8c on Bravo.
TELL US – ARE YOU SHOCKED THAT TAMRA AND ALEXIS ARE GETTING ALONG? DO YOU THINK THAT SHANNON AND ALEXIS CAN MOVE FORWARD?
