RECAP: [RHOC Reunion] Emily Goes On A Power Trip, Heather BLASTS Katie, and Shannon STANDS HER GROUND Against Tamra!
RECAP: [RHOC Reunion] Emily Goes On A Power Trip, Heather BLASTS Katie, and Shannon STANDS HER GROUND Against Tamra!
The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18 reunion part one featured Emily Simpson in a full-blown narcissistic meltdown, Heather Dubrow accusing Katie Ginella of “false accusations,” and Shannon Beador clashing with Tamra Judge and Alexis Bellino.
Jenn Pedranti Stands Firm Defending Fiancé
The women didn’t hold back in calling out Jenn Pedranti during part one of The Real Housewives of Orange County reunion, accusing her of lacking accountability as she defended her fiancé, Ryan Boyajian.
Jenn faced criticism for standing by Ryan after his name surfaced in a federal investigation related to a gambling scheme. Although Ryan was granted immunity and never indicted, her castmates pressed her for details on his involvement. Jenn, however, held firm, insisting that Ryan was never “in trouble with the feds.”
“I knew this article was coming, we were told,” Jenn explained, referencing the story that broke the news. “When it came out, I felt like, ‘This is on me,’ because if I wasn’t sitting on this couch, he wouldn’t have been mentioned.”
Emily Simpson, who claimed to have researched the lawsuit, insisted Ryan was indeed involved.
“I feel badly that you think the reason that he’s being implicated is because something you did, and that’s not true,” Emily told Jenn.
“But he is not involved in Matt’s bookie business at all, never has been,” Jenn countered, prompting a visibly frustrated Emily to retort, “That’s not true.”
The ladies pointed out that Ryan’s immunity likely meant he had provided information about his role. Reports alleged that Ryan received $16 million in stolen funds, which he supposedly used to support his “best friend” Matthew Boyer’s gambling habit.
“He never testified,” Jenn clarified. She went on to explain, “The reason [defendant] Matt used that bank account is because he could only bank through B of A. He did not have a B of A account, so he used that account. Ryan’s name was on the account, that was the mistake.”
Concerned, Gina Kirschenheiter voiced her worry for Jenn, particularly given Ryan’s financial support. “I get nervous for you because I don’t want you on those planes and in those hotel rooms that have anything to do with those people,” Gina said to Jenn.
Doubling down, Jenn assured her, “He’s not being charged with anything.”
Jenn Claps Back At Emily
When Emily questioned the consistency of Jenn’s story with news reports, Jenn shot back, “And I’ve read your in-laws fund your whole life.” This remark struck a nerve — this jaw-dropping clapback left Emily momentarily speechless.
The dig referenced Emily’s 2019 Watch What Happens Live appearance, where she admitted her husband’s parents bankroll their lifestyle.
Emily then redirected, suggesting she would respect Jenn more if she admitted Ryan “made some bad choices” and was now “on the straight and narrow.”
“I don’t owe you that because he hasn’t,” Jenn interjected.
Emily pressed further, questioning if Ryan still had his mortgage license, which visibly irked Jenn. “You love to do this,” Jenn snapped. “I don’t ask you, ‘How many cases does Shane have?’”
“You do this Tammy Wynett thing where you have to stand by your man, and sometimes you just need to be accountable and say, ‘You know what, he made some bad choices,’” Emily continued.
Jenn remained defiant, insisting, “I am being accountable. I’m very accountable.”
Heather and Gina Go After Katie
Heather Dubrow leaked a text from Sutton Stracke about Katie Ginella, fueling heated accusations against Katie. Heather claimed that Katie “used” her, with Sutton texting, “She came to my house in Augusta and said she was gonna bring all these high-level golfers. No one showed up. She didn’t pay for the photographer. She just used me to promote her business.” Katie defended herself, saying, “I offered to pay for all of it, even the catering,” but Heather stood by Sutton’s account.
Katie then explained her son Gavin’s living situation, clarifying he stayed in San Diego with her niece to finish school but now lives “full-time in Orange County.” Gina called her out, saying Katie had misled her about owning her home in San Diego. “No. I did not lie to you about owning our home,” Katie responded. “We did a lease to own with them… I didn’t move out of Orange County.”
Emily noted that Katie had denied relocating in an Instagram Reel but Katie admitted she returned to San Diego briefly due to her father-in-law’s illness. Gina, frustrated with Katie’s inconsistencies, said, “I don’t trust you.”
Katie’s False 911 Report
Heather was blunter, telling Katie, “This is your thing. Falsely accusing people is kind of your thing.” Emily added that Katie had sent someone to prison on false claims, leading Katie to recount a road rage incident in Marietta, Georgia. Katie alleged, “A man was swerving into our lane yelling, ‘F*ck you, b*tch,’” prompting her to call the police. Heather countered with a different version, saying, “The police tell the story that you followed the guy home.”
Katie insisted the police misrepresented the incident, but Heather claimed Katie “was driving her car… texting with children in the car,” and that the man, triggered due to a personal loss from a texting driver, had confronted her. According to Heather, Katie followed him home, leading him to film her.
Katie’s Custody Battle
Emily then questioned Katie’s custody loss, asking how she lost both legal and physical custody of her kids. Katie explained, “I was living… in a facility in Atlanta. My parents… wouldn’t help me because they wouldn’t agree that I was divorcing my ex-husband.” Emotionally, Katie added, “It was 18 months… That was horrible, a horrible time.”
Shannon Reflects On DUI And Diss Tamra
Shannon Beador reflected on her treatment following a DUI, while Tamra Judge accused her of continued drinking during the program. “You called me drunk several times after that… you went off like a crazy woman,” Tamra said. Shannon denied drinking, saying, “I didn’t drink during the program.” Tamra, however, remained unconvinced, expressing regret over her aggressive approach in season 18 but maintaining, “I didn’t think you got the help that you needed.”
The episode concluded with Shannon accepting Tamra’s apology but asserting, “I just don’t want to be your friend anymore.”
The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18 Reunion Part 2 airs Thursday, November 14, at 8 PM ET, on Bravo.
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Nancy Zhāng is an Entertainment Blogger for All About The Tea. Nancy covers hot topics, recaps and celeb news. She loves to multi-task as a writer and a private chef. She received a B.S. in Mass Communications from LSU. Nancy’s married and the proud mom of 2 German Shepherds.