Katie Ginella Shares an Update With Her Birth Mother

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Credit: Instagram

Season 18 of The Real Housewives of Orange County is nearing its end. This was Katie Ginella‘s first season, and she’s caused quite a stir so far. Fans initially seemed lukewarm to the newbie, but many now seem to be open to her continuing on the show. Now, she’s giving an update on meeting her birth mother and also teasing an intense reunion.

Fans will recall that when the season started, Katie got off on the wrong foot with Heather Dubrow. At the time, many believed she might be a one-season wonder after bringing the petty drama of Heather allegedly calling the paparazzi to the show. However, things have changed for both ladies. People like Katie, and some fans are turning on Heather after the last few episodes, where she has seemingly taken the side of Tamra Judge. 

Fast forward to today, and Katie says her plans to travel to South Korea to meet her birth mother have been put on pause. She told Bravo, “My husband and I, right now, are still planning our trip. My father-in-law passed away, so we kind of had to put it off for a little bit.”

Katie continued, “I would like to go back. Even just to see where I’m from would be pretty magical for me.”

Katie had previously planned to meet her birth mother about a decade ago. However, her divorce got in the way.

According to the RHOC star, “I tried looking for my birth mother about 10 or 11 years ago, but I was also getting divorced. I really didn’t want two big life things happening at the same, so I put it off, and kind of compartmentalized it for a little bit. I wanted to turn 40 and enter into my 40s checking that off my bucket list.”

Katie also discussed sharing her story with her castmates and having them be supportive. She said, “I talk a little bit about my adoption experience with the women at a dinner in London. I explain to people that I feel like my life is a beautiful puzzle, and I just have a bottom-right piece missing, I just want to put that puzzle piece in, and then I’ll feel whole.”

She added, “I haven’t really gotten close with everybody, but I think in that moment, every single woman — even Heather [Dubrow] with the odds we’re at — were really kind and really receptive and really wanted to hear what happens next and I appreciated that.”

Katie also talked to US Weekly about the upcoming reunion. She said, “Holy s—. I survived. No battle wounds, but I laid in bed for two days recovering.”

She then said, “Nobody could have told me how brutal it would be. It is brutal. It was, like, the Super Bowl of the season. It was good, but it was really hard.”

Katie also shared what surprised her the most about the reunion and the season. 

“What I’d say surprised me is that some people say things to you off-camera, and then they’re different on camera.”

When asked about her future on the show, Katie said, “We’ll see; to be determined. [The reunion] was tough, and also I need to talk to my family because they’re just as involved with this as I am. I need to just have a family meeting.”

Fans can watch RHOC on Thursday nights on Bravo.