Kelly Goes Out with a Bang (not that kind of bang)

 

As most fans know by now, the Real Housewives of Orange County has let go Kelly Dodd Leventhal, Braunwyn Windham-Burke, and Elizabeth Vargas.  It has also been announced that former "housewife" Heather Dubrow will be rejoining the show for it's sixteenth season.  There is wide speculation that 14 season veteran, Tamra Judge, will be returning as well; however no announcement has been made as executive producer Andy Cohen is committed to maintaining as much surprise element as possible.  Yeah, good luck with that Andy.

 

Braunwyn told People, “I’m incredibly sad to not be able to come back to The Real Housewives of Orange County next year. I loved every moment of being a Housewife and am so proud of my time on the show; the good, the bad, and the in-between“.  She went on to day, "It feels revolutionary to say, but I was able to get sober and stay sober on reality TV. That is something for which I will forever be grateful. And I came out, becoming the first gay Housewife in the franchise’s history. What an incredible honor to look back upon, especially during Pride Month.”.  She continued, “I know I may have been too much for some, and that’s okay. I am real, and I am happy being me. I’m so grateful to those who have stood by me,” she added. “There is a lot more to my life, and I hope you’ll stick with me on this journey as I move forward in my next chapter”. 

 

Kelly Dodd Leventhal commented back in January of 2021 that there was a good chance that she was on the chopping block, and on June 16, 2021, the ax did indeed fall. Kelly posted an positive message on Twitter writing, “The last five years have been an amazing experience. The next five years will be even better,” she stated. “I am so grateful for all the love and support and so excited about the future.”.

 

But the positivity didn't last long.  Braunwyn then texted Kelly, “I hope you’re okay, I know we’ve been through hell and back but I’m here.” Kelly replied, “This was your fault. We’d still be on the show if you didn’t make things so dark and ugly and brought all that political ‘woke’ BS.” She continued, “Your lies about me, calling me a racist and a homophobe were horribly destructive and your phony storylines didn’t help either.” Kelly was apparently referencing Braunwyn’s comment that Kelly and Emily Simpson were “so ingrained in their white privilege that they can’t even see another side to it.” Braunwyn replied, “Well I’m still sober and still gay, like I said if you ever want to talk, I’m here.”

 

Then Kelly really really let loose.  “She said she was fired from the show because we all didn’t like her because she’s gay. Not because she treated everyone like shit and made no effort to be friends with us,” Kelly wrote. “Not because she went on a press tour and made horrible accusations about us calling all of us homophobes and racist, Not because she’s a terrible mother.  Not because she’s a horrible person to her husband. The only reason she was fired is because she is gay. What a fucking nut job classic narcissist!”

 

But Kelly wasn’t done ripping into Braunwyn. In a statement to Page Six, Kelly said, “All she cares about is herself and being famous and she single-handedly ruined last season. Ask any one of my castmates. They will tell you the same thing.  No one wanted to film with her or be near her, let alone be friends with her.  Braunwyn is an awful, insincere and fame-hungry phony”.  No arguments here.

 

One-season-wonder, Elizabeth Vargas, posted her goodbyes as well, but kept it short and simple.  Athough she did manage to plug her product on the way out the door.