Alexis Bellino Recalls “Very Difficult” Time Filming ‘RHOC’, Admits She’s “A Little Surprised” Her Castmates Didn’t Show Her More Grace 

Alexis Bellino was surprised her Real Housewives of Orange County co-stars didn’t give her more grace amid her return to the long-running Bravo series.

Bellino, who had suffered the loss of her mother mere months before filming Season 18, came back to the show this year after previously starring in Seasons 5-8. However, her return has been met with backlash as she also happens to be engaged to Shannon Beador‘s controversial ex-boyfriend John Janssen.

Many fans (and some of the other cast members) have been critical of the way Bellino has handled her new relationship in front of Beador, who was clearly struggling with the aftermath of her DUI arrest. Not only has Bellino flaunted their relationship in cast settings, but she also brought up the security camera footage Janssen allegedly has from the night of Beador’s DUI.

Still, Bellino admitted to DECIDER that she was “a little surprised” that her castmates didn’t show her more grace seeing as she was also going through a difficult time following the loss of her mother.

“It was almost like [they thought] I’m invincible or something, or I was just the villain from the beginning,” Bellino said. “So yeah, it was a very difficult season for me to film for the three reasons, [which] it would be my mom’s passing — we filmed, I think it was three months after her death. And then dating who I chose. And then, you know, just all the stuff in the media.”

However, the reality star noted that her closest friends — Tamra Judge and Heather Dubrow — were there for her throughout the season. “Jenn [Pedranti] and Katie [Ginella] definitely once they learned more about me. But it did kind of just take the back burner,” she added.

While the online hate has been “very difficult” for Bellino, she told us that it has only brought her closer to Janssen.

“I think it’s kind of like when we first started talking as friends. Everyone talking about us kind of pushed us closer together faster because we’re like, ‘We’re just friends. Like, what’s going on?'” she said. “It’s kind of the same thing that’s happening with as much of the negativity that we’re getting right now.”

The Real Housewives of Orange County airs every Thursday at 9/8c on Bravo. New episodes are available to stream the next day on Peacock.