Gina Says Shannon’s “Drinking is a Problem” & Talks Matt

Credit: Steven Bergman/AFF-USA.COM / MEGA

Gina Kirschenheiter revealed she’s “very angry” at Shannon Beador ahead of the Real Housewives of Orange County season 17 reunion, suggested her “apology” meant nothing, and claimed her alcohol usage is a “problem” for other castmates.

In the current season of the show, Gina and Shannon have feuded continuously, with both co-stars accusing the other of wrongdoing.

Ahead of the reunion taping, Gina addressed her current feelings about Shannon, in an interview with Us Weekly. “I’m very angry, and I’m very disappointed. I’m very upset by it. I don’t understand it. I don’t know why I’m the target of it, and I don’t even think she gets it,” said the 39-year-old, who called it “very disappointing” that Shannon discussed her legal drama.

The star said she was shocked that Shannon never apologized for claiming on camera that she prevented her kids from being taken into Child Protective Services (CPS) after her DUI in 2019.

“I was shocked by that. If nothing else, you send the text to save face. Just check the box. At least that’s clearly the right thing to do. I was honestly shocked because I didn’t know and I did forgive her when we were filming the season,” said Gina. “But also she didn’t really take full responsibility [or] accountability. She didn’t really even admit to actually saying the things she said. And then not only did she say them, but she was giving a speech about it at a table with some people that I don’t even really know.”

Gina called the behavior “inappropriate,” and she said she isn’t certain they can work out their differences at the reunion.

“She had so many opportunities. Plus, this is not the first time or the first year that I’ve asked her to please stop talking about this. And she has apologized and said she’s not going to do that moving forward. And then she does it and then adds in new false tidbits for extra flare, I guess,” Gina added. “It only seems to be getting worse. I feel that at this point, what is that apology worth? It’s like her stock has crashed.”

Gina then addressed Tamra Judge’s previous claim that Shannon is an alcoholic.

“That’s a huge problem. I don’t care if Shannon wants to say she has a problem with alcohol or not. I’m not here to judge anybody or diagnose anybody, but that and her drinking is a problem for everybody else,” said Gina. “And you would think that somebody would want to look at least that part of it.”

The star also addressed her current relationship with ex-husband Matt Kirschenheiter, the father of her three children, and claimed both he and his current girlfriend Britt would get an invite to her potential wedding with boyfriend Travis.

“Oh my gosh, honestly, they would definitely be there,” said Gina. “I don’t know if I would have a wedding with the bridesmaids again. I think that ship has sailed, but she would absolutely be there. Yes.”

Gina then shared the backstory of her mysterious backyard ceremony with Travis in January, which triggered marriage rumors.

“We were at Travis’ parents’ house and my kids were like, ‘Don’t come outside. We’re preparing something — a surprise.’ It was actually so cute, they did this whole impromptu wedding for us,” said Gina, who noted that none of it was legally binding. “People thought I really got married. … I kind of feel that’s the way it should always be, it’s just easier. Like, why do we have to sign a contract? It actually seems a little sterile to me.”

She also expressed, “I think you really need to embrace the idea that you are still a family. You are a modern, redefined family … Matt will always be my family, and now Matt has chosen his partner, Britt, and so Britt is my family. She’s like my sister-in-law. I adore her.”

“I love hanging out with her [and] we have mutual friends,” the star continued. “If you really embrace that and you can get over the ego and remove all that stuff, you can have such a good [relationship]. I love spreading that message because it’s like, ‘Who wants to carry around that bag of BS on their back everywhere you go?’ It’s just so much easier to let it go and embrace where you guys are now. It is like a new relationship, a rebirth. That marriage is dead. Let it stay buried and embrace the new family dynamic.”

RHOC Live Viewing – This is also the live viewing thread for tonight’s new episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County season 17, which airs at 8/7c on Bravo.