After 12 years away from Bravo, Gretchen Rossi returned to The Real Housewives of Orange County for Season 19. Literally, this comeback was a long time coming. The RHOC star recently revealed that she was approached to return to the show not one, not two, but three different times! Here’s why she kept turning it down.
Gretchen Rossi has been asked to return to Real Housewives of Orange County multiple times
Gretchen recently sat down on the I Do, Part 2 podcast, along with her partner, Slade Smiley. During the chat, she explained to the hosts how RHOC producers have been in touch with her over the years, gauging her interest in a comeback.
“I feel like there’s always been rumblings and talks, always kind of like checking in with us and what our interest is,” Gretchen began. “And for a long time, it was an absolute no, you know, like no interest.”
According to Gretchen, she and Slade felt trepidatious about returning to RHOC because of all of the flak they caught during their initial round on the show. They weren’t ready to open their lives up to the scrutiny that comes with being a Bravolebrity.
“We definitely needed that break,” Gretchen admitted. “We got scrutinized a lot.”
When Bravo called Gretchen for Season 19, she still didn’t want to do it. She said she almost immediately declined it, but Slade convinced her to mull things over. Eventually, she took a meeting with the producers, and she realized that if there were ever a season to return, 19 would be it. Plus, she said Bravo made them an offer that they “couldn’t refuse,” so she feels no regrets about her comeback.
“I really enjoyed this season so much. I had such a great relationship with so many of the girls on the show. As a matter of fact, it was the most fun I’ve had filming that I can remember,” Gretchen said.
The Real Housewives of Orange County airs on Thursdays at 9/8c on Bravo. It streams on Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
TELL US – ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT GRETCHEN DIDN’T WANT TO COME BACK TO THE SHOW SOONER? ARE YOU ENJOYING HER SO FAR ON SEASON 19?
