Shannon Beador, Kelly Dodd and More ‘RHOC’ Stars React to Tamra Judge and Vicki Gunvalson’s Exits

Credit: Tommy Garcia/Bravo

Shannon Beador, Kelly Dodd and More ‘RHOC’ Stars React to Tamra Judge and Vicki Gunvalson’s Exits

The current and former cast of The Real Housewives of Orange County have mixed feelings about Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge leaving the long-running series. “I will always be the OG of the OC, but it’s time to say goodbye to The Real Housewives of Orange County,” Vicki, 57, began on Friday, January 24, via Instagram. “It’s been an incredible ride for 14 years and I want thank all of you for your support, for your love and for ‘whooping it up’ with me along the way. I’ve been working on new projects that will be exciting, empowering and inspirational.” The Coto Insurance CEO added that she “will have much more to say” about the situation on her upcoming podcast, “Whoop It Up with Vicki.” “I hope you will join me with my new journey so please stay tuned,” she wrote. “I love all my fans, and I want to thank Bravo and Evolution for this incredible experience which my family and I have will never forget. #bravo #rhoc #whoopitipwithvicki @westwoodone @bravo @whoopitupwithvicki.” The following day, Tamra, who joined the cast during season 3, confirmed she was also done. “It’s been a wild 12 years,” the 52-year-old captioned a photo with husband Eddie Judge. “But it’s time for me to move on. Im sad to go but very excited about my future. Love ❤️ you guys ✌🏼.” [jwplayer GhBAVayV-l3ahXupL] Vicki was quick to send Tamra support in the comments section. “We have shared so many great and not so great times together and it has been the ride of our lives. Thelma and Louise … now where do you want to go?!” she wrote on Saturday, January 25. Us Weekly revealed at the time that Bravo offered Tamra a “part-time role,” but she declined. Producer Andy Cohen confirmed the news on Monday, January 27. “We offered her three episodes and wrap out her story, that is true,” the Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen host, 51, said on Radio Andy. “She didn’t want to do that. Listen, she’s been on the show for 12 years, we wanted to give her a send off. She has been an incredible housewife, she’s been dramatic, she has been great! We had been wanting to — not reinvent, but shake it up for a couple years.” Cohen added that he’s hopeful that this isn’t the end for Tamra on the Bravo series. “I’m hoping — and this is not lip service — that she will come back, in some form, on this season or in the next couple,” he said on Monday. “I know she’s someone I always want to know about and check in on her.” When asked about Tamra unfollowing him on Instagram, Andy quipped, “I didn’t realize that about the unfollowing, it’s a process.” Scroll through for more reactions from the cast:

Credit: MEGA

Meghan King Edmonds

“I figured Vicki would be eventually phased out since she was a friend last season, but it’s still a little surprising since she’s been around since the beginning,” Meghan, who starred on seasons 10 to 13, told Us exclusively. “As for Tamra, I’m pretty surprised. I think Tamra might have toyed with leaving for a few years but again, change always comes as a bit of a shock. I am interested to see what will happen with the future of RHOC but I am confident it will continue to be a huge success. The backing of production, the execs, and of course the talent will ensure that the next chapter is sure to bring that same spice we’re all used to but just in a new way.”

Credit: MJ Photos/Shutterstock

Andy Cohen

“I remember the first reunion I did with Vicki Gunvalson,” the producer captioned two throwback photos with Vicki on Friday via Instagram. “Occasionally our eyes would meet as I grilled the other women, and she would wink at me optimistically and effervescently as both of her deep dimples shone. She kept winking at me Year after year, and it always made my heart smile. Vicki is an original, who remained her authentic self from her Family Van-freakout through her last reunion.” 

He added: “It’s so hard to remain exactly who you are after being on television for so long, but Vicki is one of a kind. Thank you for everything, @vickigunvalson - what a ride. And it’s not over. (This pic is actually from the Season 3 Reunion, and I always really liked it..) ❤️ 🍊 #RHOC.” 

Vicki thanked Cohen for his words in the comments section, writing, “Thank you @bravoandy for this great post. What a great FUN ride it’s been. I love you , Bravo and Evolution and thank you for 14 incredible years ❤️😘.” 

The following day, Cohen tweeted about Tamra’s exit. “An unprecedented run from a woman who was always entertaining, surprising and dramatic — and never ever aged! And now she’s the queen of CBD!”  

The gym owner shared the post via her Instagram Story, adding, “Thanks @bravoandy for always being so kind to me. I love you to the moon and back.” 

Credit: John Tsiavis/Bravo

Shannon Beador

Shannon is close with both Vicki and Tamra.

“You will always be my tres amigas sister. ❤️,” Shannon wrote on Vicki’s Instagram post. “The show may be over, but our friendship will always continue on. Will miss seeing your hospital visits, taking tequila shots, driving gold carts into restaurants, flipping kayaks, and basically just whooping it up! Love you! 😘” 

On Tamra’s post, Shannon commented, “You will always be my ride or die, soul sister and friend for life. ❤️ Love you ! 😘” 

Credit: Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Kelly Dodd

Kelly, who joined the show during season 11, reposted a shady video of a fan celebrating Tamra and Vicki’s departures. “Oh my God! Tamra’s gone too? Kelly Dodd is the queen of the O.C.,” the viewer declared in the clip.

Kelly also commented on a fan account regarding Vicki’s exit. “She’s had an incredible ride,” she quipped. “Made a lot of money.” 

Credit: Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Braunwyn Windham-Burke

“I am grateful for the opportunity to be a housewife for many reasons, and my friendship with Tamra is no exception,” Braunwyn, who hit it off with Tamra when she joined for season 14, told Us exclusively. “I will miss filming with her, but know I have a friend for life. I can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve.”

Credit: Rob Latour/Variety/Shutterstock

Heather DuBrow

“Iconic RHOC cast members Vicki and Tamra always brought a mixture of fun, chaos and drama in the OC,” Heather, who starred on seasons 7-11, told Us exclusively. “I know the fans will definitely miss seeing their lives unfold in front of the camera. I love these women, they are my sorority sisters and I’m excited to watch their next chapters!” 

Credit: Broadimage/Shutterstock

Lydia McLaughlin

“It’s the end of an era 🍊 To the OG of the OC- I adore you @vickigunvalson,” Lydia wrote via Instagram. “My experience on #rhoc would not have been the same without you. I have laughed so hard with you- and am always rooting for you. 🥰 Excited to see all you do in your next adventure. 💘 #whoopitup.” 

Lydia was a full-time Housewife on seasons 8 and 12. While she left the show on good terms with Vicki, the same can’t be same for Tamra. When a fan commented, “Shoulda got rid of Tamra!!!!” on Lydia’s post, she replied, “They did! 🙌🏻👏” 

Days later, Lydia told Us that it was “time for Vicki and Tamra to move on.”

“Vicki will always be the ‘OG of the OC’ and I consider her a friend,” she added. “I’m excited to see what she does with her next chapter. I am happy Tamra will be able to focus on her family and the things that really matter. While she was entertaining to watch on TV, knowing someone off camera is a little different, and I think fame became her priority.  I’m excited for RHOC to get some new faces."

Credit: MediaPunch/Shutterstock

Gretchen Rossi

“Ahh you had an incredible run! You will always be the OG of the OC.! 😘,” she commented on Vicki’s post.

While Gretchen, who starred on seasons 4-8, had kind words to say about the OG, she was accused of throwing shade at former friend Tamra in a video shared shortly after the news broke.

“We are celebrating! Yay!” Gretchen declared in a video with husband Slade Smiley on Saturday night. “We are driving up to L.A. right now. We’re going to go meet some friends. We are so freaking happy right now so we are going on date night. … We’re just celebrating life and God being good and God taking care of us and blessing us and crushing evil!”