The Real Housewives of Orange County season 18 could see a face-off between Alexis Bellino and Shannon Beador.
As production on the new season begins, with Shannon, 59, sharing the first photo on Wednesday and season 17 newbie Jennifer Pedranti, 46, weighing in, multiple sources have confirmed that Alexis, 47, who went public with Shannon’s ex-boyfriend, John Janssen, 60, last month, has received a “formal offer” to return.
“Her relationship with John is certainly interesting, but it’s not the only reason producers want Alexis back. She’s a dynamic personality who has history with a good portion of the cast,” one insider explained to Page Six on January 10 as a second clarified that “nothing has been signed yet.”
As fans well know, Alexis is friends with a number of current RHOC cast members, including Heather Dubrow, 54, and Emily Simpson, 47, and she reconciled with Tamra Judge, 56, at BravoCon last November.
Although Alexis’ return is not yet set in stone, she told Page Six she was open to the idea while attending one of Kathy Hilton‘s Christmas parties in Los Angeles in December.
“I’ll never say never,” Alexis said at the time, acknowledging her romance would “start a little drama” with Shannon but noting she doesn’t “really care” what Shannon thinks.
“Here’s the truth: I have never met Shannon, I have never worked with Shannon. I wish her nothing but the best in life,” Alexis added. “Other than one incident in which I witnessed her shouting obscenities at me from across a restaurant, immediately prior to her very unfortunate [DUI and hit-and-run] arrest, Shannon Beador and I have never worked together or interacted.”
While Alexis and Shannon may not have had a past relationship with one another, Shannon isn’t happy about her romance with John, which has continued to heat up since the couple was first spotted together amid a “cozy” outing at The Quiet Woman.
In addition to going public weeks after the restaurant visit, Alexis and John spent the holidays together, with John gifting Alexis a promise ring.
“Johnny J, let everyone talk. But you have shown me love that I’ve never known. I love you,” Alexis gushed after Christmas.
Meanwhile, after keeping a low profile for the past few months since her DUI, Shannon returned to Instagram on Wednesday with a photo of herself, her three daughters, Sophie Beador, 22, and twins Stella and Adeline Beador, 19, and a film crew.
Following the sharing of Shannon’s production photo, Jennifer weighed in with a comment.
“Love this!!! The gang is back together!!!” she proclaimed.
The Real Housewives of Orange County season 18 will premiere on Bravo sometime later this year.
