Shannon Beador Finds It ‘Humiliating’ to Discuss DUI With Her Daughters, Believes She ‘Deserved to Get Hurt’

Shannon Beador Finds It ‘Humiliating’ to Discuss DUI With Her Daughters, Believes She ‘Deserved to Get Hurt’

Shannon Beador faces her mistakes head-on, especially when it comes to her family.

The Real Housewives of Orange County star recently opened up to PEOPLE about the challenges of discussing her 2023 DUI arrest with her daughters Sophie, 22, and twins Stella and Adeline, 20.

“It was humiliating,” Beador admits, recalling the moment she had to explain her arrest to her daughters, whom she shares with ex-husband David Beador. “I’ve always lectured them about the dangers of drinking and driving, so to fail as an example myself was just devastating.”

The reality star’s DUI arrest was a significant storyline in RHOC’s season 18 premiere, which aired on Thursday, July 11.

During the episode, viewers witnessed a poignant scene where Shannon apologized to her daughters for her actions. Sophie, Stella, and Adeline responded supportively, urging their mother to learn from the incident.

Beador’s arrest occurred in the early hours of September 17 in Newport Beach after she crashed her car into a planter box attached to a residence.

The police report noted her blood alcohol level was .24, significantly above the legal limit. She faced two misdemeanors and spent a few hours in jail before being released on citation.

Later, she was sentenced to three years of probation, including a requirement to complete 40 hours of community service and a nine-month alcohol program.

Reflecting on the events leading up to the accident, Shannon acknowledges she was using alcohol to cope with the emotional fallout from her divorce and her breakup with ex John Janssen. “I deserved to get hurt,” she tells PEOPLE. “It was a stupid choice.”

Despite the gravity of her actions, Beador is grateful for her daughters’ forgiveness and understanding.

“They’re supportive, but they don’t like it when I dwell on how much the incident still upsets me,” she explains.

Since the incident, Shannon has made significant changes to her life, seeking healthier coping mechanisms like using cold packs and going on walks.

“The DUI was a drastic wake-up call that prompted me to make the necessary changes in my life,” she reflects.

Grateful for her children’s love and the lack of physical harm to others, Beador remains committed to self-improvement.

“I am still working on myself, and I believe that everything happens for a reason,” she shares. “I am just so thankful that no one was hurt. I am focused on learning from this and making as many positive changes as I can.”

RHOC airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.

 

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