Why She Didn’t Congratulate Alexis on Engagement

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Gina Kirschenheiter is explaining why she didn’t reach out to congratulate Alexis Bellino on her engagement to John Janssen.

As she also recalled learning of Ryan Boyajian‘s ties to a $16 million MLB scandal involving Los Angeles Dodgers player Shohei Otani, 30, reacted to Jennifer Pedranti‘s reaction, and looked ahead to Alexis’ upcoming meeting with Shannon Beador, 60, at the reunion, the Real Housewives of Orange County star, 40, admitted to having regrets about bringing Katie Ginella, 40, to the show, and more.

“It’s not like it’s a diss. I don’t really have a relationship with her,” Gina told Entertainment Tonight of why she didn’t congratulate Alexis, 47. “And also, we really weren’t given the opportunity to have a relationship with her. So it’s not appropriate. I’m not just randomly text messaging everybody who gets engaged.”

According to Gina, she was “more concerned” for Shannon.

“I reached out to Shannon. I think everybody is missing the fact that Shannon and John hadn’t even been broken up for that long and I feel like Shannon hasn’t even had the opportunity to properly mourn this relationship,” she noted. “That’s tough for Shannon and she hasn’t really been given the opportunity to even be upset about this relationship because then this new relationship came back as a weapon. I’m sure she’s just upset and heartbroken like any other woman would be.”

“She’s on a show, she has to deal with a lawsuit, and she has to deal with her ex’s new girlfriend throwing it in her face,” Emily Simpson, 48, agreed.

As the ladies looked back on the moment in which they first learned that something major was happening with Ryan, 46, Gina noted that he and Jennifer, 47, were acting “really weird” at BravoCon and refusing to take pictures.

“BravoCon was only shortly after his associate was investigated or raided by the FBI. And then their behavior in Vegas was off so we knew something was going on. [But] I didn’t know what was going to transpire or come out,” Emily shared.

The two of them then joined Jennifer for lunch, where she filled them in on Ryan’s link to the scandal.

“[Jennifer] was actually talking about Otani and all these things and I’m like, ‘I don’t even know…’ So it was a little bit. But I understand with Jen, I think Jen is trying to straddle this line between wanting to defend and support and be loyal to this man that she genuinely loves,” Gina reasoned. “There is a lot of just talk and garbage and not factual stuff that comes out and that’s combined with what he’s telling her and she loves him and it gets very convoluted and I think she’s trying to figure that out.”

Meanwhile, Emily felt that Jennifer’s focus should be on herself.

“I think Jen just needs to focus on Jen and I think she needs to work on making it about her and making herself stronger and she’s a housewife, not him. This is her career,” she noted.

As they prepare to reunite with their co-stars at the season 18 reunion, Gina commented on what is to be expected from Alexis and Shannon.

“I don’t even understand why, and I don’t think Shannon knows either, why that even is a feud or an issue?” Gina wondered. “So you’re engaged. Is she gonna come in and attack her with her ring? There’s not even anything really there. There’s a lawsuit between John and Shannon.”

One person Gina is not looking forward to reuniting with is Katie.

“I feel bad. I feel, and honestly, I am hurt. It’s not my first day here and I got played by the new girl,” she admitted. “It was hard for me. It’s still hard for me and I still don’t feel comfortable, fully, with Katie because I don’t know what to believe and I don’t know what to trust and I don’t know how I can so that is really tough for me. I never bring anyone on… I never do that and I never will again.”

While Heather has said that Katie only moved to Orange County to be a housewife, she wasn’t the only one who thought so.

“She did,” Gina shared.

“She did,” Emily replied, adding, “Heather likes the word grifter.”

Also during the interview, despite her season hiccups with Heather, Gina said she “loves” who Heather is as a person.

“Heather Dubrow is actually not completely perfect and I like that about Heather and I wish she was more comfortable showing that side, not taking that shot at you, but you know what I’m saying,” she stated.

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