“The Real Housewives of Orange County” star Shannon Storms Beador faced her demons at BravoCon 2023.
Nearly two months after a DUI arrest that made national headlines, Beador appeared on a Las Vegas stage with her co-stars for the weekend-long event dedicated to Bravo’s indulgent reality TV slate. Her arrest shocked many thanks to accompanying police footage, in which an intoxicated Beador pulls off a hit-and-run into a residence then speeds away with her beloved dog, Archie, in the backseat.
Panel moderator Danny Pellegrino called the Beador incident “the elephant in the room” at the start of their session, held at Caesars Forum.
“It’s been a tough six weeks, but I will tell you that I made a terrible, terrible mistake and I’m incredibly grateful that it didn’t hurt anyone,” Beador said to wild applause from the audience.
She also revealed she completed “28 days of behavioral wellness” counseling with an alcohol specialist, and added she’s been “able to focus on elements of my life that are unhealthy and toxic. I’m moving in a good and positive direction.”
Beador was sentenced by a California judge to three years of probation and 40 hours of community service. She is also required to complete nine months in an alcohol program, and has paid restitution for the damage she did to the home she hit with her car.
Beador addressed the issue flanked by fellow cast members Tamra Judge, Emily Simpson, Gina Kirschenheiter, Heather Durrow, Jennifer Pedant, Taylor Armstrong and Vicki Gunvalson.
Gunvalson, a founding cast member of the first ever “Real Housewives” production, galvanized the room in Vegas with her “O.G.” status. The insurance saleswoman is currently appearing on “Orange County” as a recurring character, aka “a friend of.” Many fans and her fellow cast members suggested she should return as a proper start.
“I dont know how this will play out next year,” Gunvalson said of her future. “I personally don’t like going in as a friend. I’m not a friend.”
