--- title: "Jim Bellino Claims Alexis is Being ‘Used’ for Storyline on RHOC; Addresses If She ‘Staged’ John Janssen Romance" url: https://allabouttrh.com/2024/09/17/jim-bellino-alexis-used-rhoc-story/ type: post date: 2024-09-17 modified: 2024-09-17 markdown_url: https://allabouttrh.com/2024/09/17/jim-bellino-alexis-used-rhoc-story.md author: "Lara Sophia" --- # Jim Bellino Claims Alexis is Being ‘Used’ for Storyline on RHOC; Addresses If She ‘Staged’ John Janssen Romance ## Jim Bellino claims his ex-wife Alexis Bellino is being "used" for a main storyline on season 18 of RHOC and isn't being paid for it. He also comments on rumors that Alexis staged her romance with John Janssen. [Alexis Bellino](https://allabouttrh.com/category/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/alexis-bellino/)'s ex-husband, [Jim Bellino](https://allabouttrh.com/2024/09/11/jim-bellino-alexis-rhoc-lies/), believes she made the wrong move when she agreed to return to the *Real Housewives of Orange County* for season 18 as a "friend" instead of a full-time cast member. During a recent appearance on [Kelly Dodd](https://allabouttrh.com/category/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/kelly-meza-dodd/) and [Rick Leventhal](https://allabouttrh.com/2024/03/21/rhonj-kelly-dodd-teresa-giudice/)‘s Patreon show, Jim Bellino said he believes Alexis, who is currently dating [Shannon Beador](https://allabouttrh.com/category/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/shannon-beador-rhoc/)'s ex-boyfriend, [John Janssen](https://allabouttrh.com/2024/09/06/rhoc-shannon-beador-monster-john/), is being ***"used"*** by Bravo for a storyline and drama. He also addressed claims that Alexis and John's relationship is ***"staged." *** ***“I believe in being all in … If Alexis is going on the show, I think she should’ve been one of the housewives, which she was offered that role,” ***the former RHOC husband said. ***“To be a friend I don’t agree with because she’s got her toe in the water and frankly, you became a housewife and got used for that role without getting paid for it. That’s just my honest opinion. She should’ve dove in and done it all.”*** ![RHOC season 18 cast photo](https://allabouttrh.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/real-housewives-of-orange-county-season-18-cast-1200x797.png)RHOC season 18 cast photo Jim Bellino claims that Alexis would have made five times as much money if she had signed on as a full-time Housewife for [season 18 of RHOC](https://allabouttrh.com/2024/07/11/shannon-beador-rhoc-s18-cast-trips/). ***“It’s a lot more money. Times five. I believe Alexis is a very important part of the show this year and didn’t get paid for it,”*** he said. ***“Had I been consulting her, I would’ve advised her differently. And I did tell her, ‘Do the whole show.’ I personally believe through her wardrobe, makeup, everything, she lost money.”*** ***“You need to make sure you get paid,”*** the 62-year-old added before admitting that he didn’t ***“agree with”*** Alexis’ decision to return to RHOC as a "friend." He then addressed claims that Alexis ***"plotted"*** her return to RHOC by purposly going after Shannon's ex-boyfriend. According to Jim, Alexis' romance with John was an *** “amazing coincidence. ”*** ***“To be very clear — and I was a witness to this because Alexis called me — before she ever met John Janssen, she was asked to be on the show,”*** Jim stated. ***“It just so happened she met John Janssen after she agreed to be on the show and that all morphed. Was it a benefit to Bravo? Was it a benefit to Alexis’ storyline? Yes. It was. But Bravo benefited more than anybody.”*** ![Alexis Bellino & John Janssen are engaged](https://allabouttrh.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/rhoc-alexis-bellino-john-janssen-engaged-955x1200.png)Alexis Bellino & John Janssen are engaged The Orange County businessman then noted that Alexis initally struggled with her decision to return to RHOC, but he doesn't believe she has any regrets. ***“Alexis really did struggle with the decision of being back on the show or not. She went back and forth and back and forth,” ***Jim shared. ***“My gut would say no,”*** Jim said when asked if Alexis regretted returning to RHOC. He elaborated: ***“I think she likes when things play out publicly. I’m not saying this was intentional. I believe they authentically met at a Restaurant. I believe that it was a perfect scenario for the show and by the way, let’s clear it up right now so nobody ever asks me this question again: Do you believe that relationship was staged?’ One hundred percent no. I believe that relationship authentically happened through happenstance of them meeting and it’s just a cause and effect that it was the perfect scenario. And once again, as usual, Bravo wins.”*** ![RHOC alum Alexis Bellino spotted out with Shannon Beador](https://allabouttrh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Alexis-Bellino.png)RHOC alum Alexis Bellino spotted out with Shannon Beador's ex John Janssen While Jim knows Alexis and John have many doubters, he doesn't believe his ex-wife went after Shannon's ex-boyfriend with ill intentions or any plan in place. However, he can't comment on John's intentions when pursuing Alexis. ***“I really don’t. The verdicts out. Alexis is aware but naive at the same time. We’ll see. That’s to be determined — for all of us to watch,”*** he shared. ***“If I was flipping a coin, I think it’s 50/50. She has a good heart. Her intentions are 100 percent pure.”*** [The Real Housewives of Orange County ](https://allabouttrh.com/category/the-real-housewives-of-orange-county/)airs on Bravo Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET. ## Thoughts on this all? Sound off in the comments!