Jennifer Pedranti Addresses Ryan’s MLB Scandal, & Gina

Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock, Charles Sykes/Bravo

Jennifer Pedranti addressed Ryan Boyajian‘s ties to a $16 million MLB gambling scandal while appearing on Watch What Happens Live on Thursday night.

As the 47-year-old Real Housewives of Orange County star also spoke of her rental drama with Gina Kirschenheiter, 40, explained why she gave Tamra Judge, 56, a second chance, and opened up about what she makes at her yoga studio, Jennifer also defended Shannon Beador, 60, reacted to Alexis Bellino‘s romance with Shannon’s ex, John Janssen, 60, and revealed why Ryan’s name was brought into the scandal.

“The relationship [Ryan] has to it is, it’s our best friends and so it’s just unfortunate because we’ve traveled with them so many times to Vegas and all the perks and all the fun, but Ryan’s association with it is, it’s just his very best friend,” Jennifer explained on the July 18 episode of WWHL.

“It kind of sucks to be totally honest, but we’re just doing our best to just love and support them, and they’re the ones going through it,” she clarified. “I just think in time, these things take time, everybody will see it’s not Ryan. There’s not a single thing you can vindicate him from but if you give it time, everybody will see there’s nothing.”

Looking back at Thursday’s RHOC, which saw Gina getting upset with Jennifer as she faced eviction after Gina vouched for her, Jennifer admitted she was “surprised” by Gina’s stern reaction, although she understood where she was coming from.

Jennifer then explained that while Gina called her out for paying for glam amid her money troubles, much of the glam she receives is traded.

“A lot of things are trade and so people don’t understand that. So Gina made the comment but a lot of it is trade,” she insisted.

Jennifer also played a game in which she was asked to say nice things about Gina, including her decision to live separately from her boyfriend, Travis Mullen.

“I didn’t understand in the beginning but when Gina explained it, she’s like taking care of business, and for whatever reason, she feels like this is best for her and her kids,” Jennifer noted, proceeding to applaud Gina for her successful career in real estate.

“She hustles,” Jennifer shared, adding that she’s jealous that Gina “owns a home and [is] established in her career.”

“I feel bad about that because I do have a good work ethic, but she’s just, look at her, look where she’s at. Look where I’m at,” Jennifer continued of Gina’s hard-working habits.

When a caller wanted to know why she gave Tamra a clean slate after she targeted her and Ryan throughout season 17, Jennifer admitted it is “easier to be on Tamra’s good side.”

“[And] you have to remember I’ve known her for so long, and so that was a friendship that mattered, and [Eddie Judge] mattered. I spent a lot of time with Eddie so I’m kind of a sucker,” Jennifer confessed.

As for her finances, and Tamra telling Eddie she should get off her butt and work, Jennifer admitted her yoga classes weren’t paying the bills.

“I own the business so I’m constantly trying to build the business so I feel like I’m always working. I think people don’t understand [RHOC] is a job too, so I’m working, but when you’re filming you don’t talk about that,” she explained. “Everybody’s like, ‘Does she just teach a couple classes for $50?’ I own the studio, and so you’re constantly trying to build and grow, but as it sits right now, it’s not enough.”

According to Jennifer, she believes that despite claims to the contrary, Shannon has changed in the months since her DUI and hit-and-run arrest.

“100 percent yes. She looks amazing, she talks so open and honest about it … I do think she is [a changed woman],” Jennifer stated.

While Jennifer has grown close to Shannon in recent months, she said she believed Alexis, 47, and John would make it down the aisle.

“They 100 percent are end game and I do think they are going to marry. And I like Shannon. And I’ve been around John and Shannon, and the dynamic with John and Alexis is different,” she explained. “[Alexis] rides hard for him. She does.”

The Real Housewives of Orange County season 18 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on Bravo.