Changes are afoot onThe Real Housewives of Orange County.
In this make-or-break moment, the web link knew there was only one O.C.
It’s so weird."
Heather Dubrow on ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’ season 16.Tommy Garcia/Bravo
How did your family feel about coming back to the show?
Well, we had a family meeting about it, for sure.
And they’re obviously the biggest part of my life.
The women of ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’ season 16.Bravo
So that would be highlighted, and they had to be okay with it.
When Bravo approached you about returning, what about their pitch made it an appealing prospect?
Well, I laughed.
I laughed, and then I thought about it.
Did Kelly’s departure make you more interested in returning?
Look, I was very vocal about when I left the show, I didn’t like that direction.
From the inside, having made a season now, how has that changed the game?
I think authenticity sells.
What I would say is, there are people out there that are genuinely interested in opening their lives.
I think if you have a superfan, it’s hard.
How would you describe the dynamic among the season 16 cast?
And it goes so far off the rails and, like, fractionizes is that a word?
and completely obliterates this group that I didn’t even get to know some of the girls for weeks.
Because we were all dealing with the repercussions of what happened at the very first party.
It was just insane.
Who among the cast did you connect with?
Of course, you already knew Shannon.
Yes, she was the only one I knew.
I immediately connected with Gina.
I just find her very endearing.
The last time you were on the show, your house was still under construction.
How did it feel to finally unveil it onRHOC?
What do you think will surprise fans the most about this season?
I think people will be surprised, honestly, by all of it, but mostly the beginning.
The beginning is just so crazy.
And the ending is very surprising.
I’ve personally never ended a season like this, ever.
I’m curious what people are going to think and where it goes from there.
What surprised you the most about the experience of coming back after five years?
I was surprised how relaxed I was.
When I was on the first time, I really didn’t want to join the show.
Terry signed the contract for me; it was tough for me to go from scripted actress to reality.
It was just a lot.
Anyway, obviously the landscape of television has completely changed and I…
I don’t know.
I was very, very relaxed.
I wasn’t worried about what people are going to think about me.
I actually didn’t care, amusingly enough, what chair I was sitting in at any event.
I was just like, “just just put me in the good light.
Let me sit where the good light is.”
Season 16 ofThe Real Housewives of Orange Countypremieres Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.
