‘RHOC’ Alum Jim Bellino on Alexis Being “Used” for Main Storyline

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Jim Bellino believes Alexis Bellino made the wrong move when she agreed to return to The Real Housewives of Orange County as a “friend.”

During an interview with Kelly Dodd, 48, and Rick Leventhal, 64, days ago, Jim, 62, said he believes Alexis, 47, who is currently engaged to Shannon Beador‘s ex-boyfriend, John Janssen, 60, was “used” for a storyline as he reacted to claims of Alexis and John’s romance being “staged,” threw shade at Bravo, and more.

“I believe in being all in … If Alexis is going on the show, I think she should’ve been one of the housewives, which she was offered that role,” Jim noted on Patreon’s The Rick & Kelly Show. “To be a friend I don’t agree with because she’s got her toe in the water and frankly, you became a housewife and got used for that role without getting paid for it. That’s just my honest opinion. She should’ve dove in and done it all.”

According to Jim, Alexis would have made five times as much if she’d signed on in a full-time role.

“It’s a lot more money. Times five. I believe Alexis is a very important part of the show this year and didn’t get paid for it,” he stated. “Had I been consulting her, I would’ve advised her differently. And I did tell her, ‘Do the whole show.’ I personally believe through her wardrobe, makeup, everything, she lost money.”

“You need to make sure you get paid,” he added, admitting that he didn’t “agree with” Alexis’ decision to return.

Because Alexis returned to the show just as she embarked on a romance with John, who had dated Shannon in previous seasons, many accused her of “plotting” her comeback. But Jim doesn’t believe that’s the case.

“To be very clear — and I was a witness to this because Alexis called me — before she ever met John Janssen, she was asked to be on the show,” Jim clarified. “It just so happened she met John Janssen after she agreed to be on the show and that all morphed. Was it a benefit to Bravo? Was it a benefit to Alexis’ storyline? Yes. It was. But Bravo benefited more than anybody.”

Jim also said Alexis’ relationship with John was simply an “amazing coincidence” before joking that it was producers who set the two of them up at A Restaurant last year.

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” he laughed. “I’m joking by the way. Alexis really did struggle with the decision of being back on the show or not. She went back and forth and back and forth.”

Although Alexis was unsure of returning, Jim said he doubted she regretted the decision, saying, “My gut would say no.”

“I think she likes when things play out publicly. I’m not saying this was intentional. I believe they authentically met at A Restaurant. I believe that it was a perfect scenario for the show and by the way, let’s clear it up right now so nobody ever asks me this question again: Do you believe that relationship was staged?’ One hundred percent no. I believe that relationship authentically happened through happenstance of them meeting and it’s just a cause and effect that it was the perfect scenario. And once again, as usual, Bravo wins,” he stated.

Alexis and John certainly have their doubters. And, as Jim shared, he doesn’t know John’s intentions.

“I really don’t. The verdicts out. Alexis is aware but naive at the same time. We’ll see. That’s to be determined — for all of us to watch,” he noted. “If I was flipping a coin, I think it’s 50/50. She has a good heart. Her intentions are 100 percent pure.”

Speaking of the current cast of RHOC, Jim said he felt sorry for Ryan Boyajian, 47, the fiance of Jennifer Pedranti, 47, who faced the wrath of certain cast members, namely Tamra Judge, 57, after he was linked to the $16 million MLB scandal involving Los Angeles Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani, 30.

“I have my own opinion of how Bravo depicts men. I feel sorry for [Ryan Boyajian], who’s with [Jennifer Pedranti], I think they’re really cool people. It’s a no-win for him though,” he said. “And we don’t know, which is why you don’t find a lot of quality men agreeing to do the show anymore. He is a quality man.”

Jim also took issue with the fact that most of the women of RHOC aren’t actually housewives — and some don’t even live in Orange County.

“I don’t understand why Tamra living in Big Bear and [Heather Dubrow] living in Beverly Hills has any relevance to Real Housewives of Orange County. I think Real Housewives of Orange County should be about Real Housewives of Orange County,” he stated. “How many housewives are married and living in Orange County? Alexis is divorced. Heather is in Beverly Hills. Tamra is in Big Bear. I believe [Emily Simpson] is a real housewife in Orange County. [Gina Kirschenheiter]’s not married. I think two out of the seven are Real Housewives of Orange County.”

The Real Housewives of Orange County season 18 airs Thursdays at 9/8c on Bravo.