As the buzz builds around the upcoming Real Housewives of Orange County reunion, Tamra Judge is eager to set the record straight after a challenging season.
The 57-year-old Bravo star has faced intense scrutiny, particularly due to her fallout with former close friend Shannon Beador, with many fans siding with Beador throughout the drama.
Clearing the Air
Judge recently shared her anticipation for the reunion, expressing her hope that it will address numerous unresolved questions.
“I’m really looking forward to the reunion because it’s a chance to clear up a lot of confusion,” she said.
“People have only seen one side of the story, and I want to explain why I reacted the way I did.”
She feels that viewers have only seen her heated moments without understanding the full context.
“There’s been a lot cut out, and it seems like people think I turned my back on Shannon for Alexis Bellino.
That couldn’t be further from the truth,” Judge emphasized.
Support and Strain
Judge insists that she was a steadfast supporter of Beador, especially during her recovery.
“I was there for Shannon every step of the way,” Judge explained.
“But when I saw her continuing to drink and lie about it, I had to step back.
I tried a different approach, but Shannon ended up turning on me and saying some hurtful things.”
Shannon Beador’s DUI Drama
The tension between Tamra and Shannon this season has been fueled by Beador’s DUI incident in September 2023.
On the recent episode, Beador, 60, shared a harrowing selfie showing her injuries from the crash.
She revealed that she had sent the bloody photo to her then-boyfriend, John Janssen, but he didn’t come to check on her.
“I don’t need to defend him anymore,” Beador said in a confessional.
She recounted the accident to co-star Heather Dubrow, describing how she lost control of her car and hit a planter, leading to her hospitalization.
Emotional Impact
Beador expressed how traumatic the experience was, stating that seeing the injury photo made her feel detached from herself.
“I didn’t want to see myself like that, and I didn’t want anyone else to either,” she told People.
She admitted that she never planned to share the photo but felt compelled to do so.
Legal Consequences
Beador’s DUI led to her arrest in Newport Beach with a blood alcohol level of .24, three times the legal limit.
She was sentenced to 40 hours of community service, required to complete a nine-month alcohol program, and faced informal probation along with fines and fees.
Despite the legal and personal repercussions, Beador reflected on the incident with mixed feelings, expressing gratitude that no one else was harmed and acknowledging her own poor choices.
“I deserved to get hurt. I made a very stupid decision,” she said.
“I could have killed someone.”
Moving Forward
As both women navigate the aftermath of their public and personal struggles, the reunion promises to be a pivotal moment for clearing the air and addressing the controversies that have unfolded over the season.