As “The Real Housewives of Orange County” prepares to celebrate its 20th season, Bravo fans are buzzing about which familiar faces — and potential new ones — will shape the milestone year.
RHOC Season 20 Cast: Returning Favorites, ‘On the Bubble’ Names & One New Housewife
According to a tip sent to Bravo and Cocktails, Vicki Gunvalson is set to join Tamra Judge, Heather Dubrow, Shannon Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter, and Jennifer Pedranti as full-time cast members in season 20. Emily Simpson, Katie Ginella, and Gretchen Rossi are still “on the bubble,” with their returns being evaluated based on storyline direction and chemistry.
The tip also claims Evolution Media is interested in having Rossi return — which would explain the recent effort to help her clean up a social-media scandal storyline — but producers remain uncertain whether she could realistically film alongside Judge after their long-running tension. In addition to determining which veterans will be full-time Housewives, the production team is seeking to introduce one brand-new cast member for the upcoming season.
Several familiar alumni — including Jeana Keough, Jo De La Rosa, Lauri Peterson, Kimberly Bryant, and Alexis Bellino — are reportedly expected to appear in special guest scenes throughout season 20.
Vicki Gunvalson’s BravoCon Surprise & Tensions Among the Current Cast
Gunvalson’s return became official during BravoCon 2025, when Andy Cohen surprised her onstage by officially giving her orange back.
“Yes!” she exclaimed as the crowd erupted. “I love you guys out there. I love Bravo. It’s been a great ride.”
Judge — recently back on good terms with Gunvalson — celebrated the moment, signaling fresh potential for a Tres Amigas revival with Beador.
But not all former cast relationships are on the mend. Speaking to Us Weekly at BravoCon, Judge said she sees no path forward with Rossi.
“Unfortunately, no,” Judge said. “She wants to blame everybody for things that she does. She’s accused me of things I’ve never done. I tried my hardest to move forward. She came in and could not move on.”
Meanwhile, Ginella offered a candid look at her own standing with the cast during an Entertainment Tonight interview. Calling BravoCon a “baptism by fire,” Ginella said she’s open to reconciliation but uncertain whether the rest of the group feels the same.
“It doesn’t seem, right now, that they’re open to that,” she admitted. Still, she noted her friendships with Judge and Gunvalson give her hope as season 20 approaches.
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RHOC Season 20 Cast Buzz: Who’s In, Who’s Out, and Who’s ‘On the Bubble’