Gretchen Rossithe return to The Real Housewives of Orange County it will be short-lived.
Gretchen, 47, will not be returning for the 20th season of the Bravo reality show, it was reported. variety on Tuesday, January 27.
Us Weekly reps for Gretchen and Bravo have been reached for comment.
Gretchen made her dramatic comeback a RHOC in season 19, this time in a “friend” role, after five seasons as a full-time housewife from 2008 to 2013. She also made a guest appearance during season 12 in 2017.
Gretchen previously revealed how she he refused to go back RHOC three times before finally returning last season.
In a July 2025 interview on the “I Do, Part 2” podcast that “for a long time, it was an absolute no,” citing criticism that she and promised Slade Smiley received during his first stage.
“We definitely needed that break. We were scrutinized a lot,” Gretchen said. “This round, they called us and approached us. When they called, I actually said, ‘No.'”
“Honestly, I said no three times. They kept making offers and I said, ‘No, no, no,'” he continued. “Finally, they ended up making an offer that we couldn’t refuse and it felt good. That’s why we finally decided to say yes. That’s the honest truth.”
Katie Ginella, Tamra Judge, Shannon Storms Beadier, Jennifer Pedranti, Heather Dubrow, Emily Simpson, Gina Kirschenheiter
Sami Drasin/Danny Ventrella/BravoGretchen’s departure comes just weeks later Katie Ginella confirmed in an Instagram post that he’s leaving the show after two seasons.
“After two seasons as a cast member RHOCthe network has decided to move forward with Season 20 without me,” Katie wrote via Instagram on Jan. 9. “While disappointing, it’s not entirely surprising after seeing how Season 19 went.”
Katie continued: “I’m incredibly grateful for the love and support I’ve received – it was seen, felt and deeply appreciated. Representation is important, and I’m proud to have presented myself authentically, even when it wasn’t easy. This chapter may be closing, but my voice and my story don’t end here. Love, Katie.”
Aside from Katie and Gretchen, variety reports that the rest of the Season 19 cast is expected to return for the show’s historic 20th season, including Judge Tamra, Gina Kirschenheiter, Heather Dubrow, Shannon Storms Beador, Emily Simpson i Jennifer Pedranti.
Tamra Judge’s husband Eddie Judge is reacting to The Real Housewives of Orange County’s latest casting decision. “What I learned, especially from my interview with Joe Gorga about him and his sister (Teresa Giudice) talking again, I realized that we live in a world where you don’t need enemies,” said Eddie, 52, (…)
Also OG Housewife is back Vicki Gunvalsonwho was presented with an orange by the executive producer Andy Cohen at BravoCon 2025 in November.
“Vicki, would you join as a housewife for season 20?” Andy asked him backstage at The Bravos.
Vicki was a full-time housewife for the first 13 seasons of the show before returning as a “friend” of the cast during season 14. She announced her departure from the show in January 2020.
“I will always be the CEO of The OC, but it’s time to say goodbye to The Real Housewives of Orange County. It’s been an amazing journey for 14 years and I want to thank you all for your support, love, and ‘doing it’ with me along the way,” the reality star wrote in an Instagram post at the time.
Vicki, 63, is currently shooting The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20tha celebration of 20 years of The real housewives franchise Other stars include The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills‘ Kyle Richards i The Real Housewives of New Jersey‘s Teresa Giudice.