Shannon Storms Beador is back and this time, she’s trading tears for giggles.
Ahead of the premiere of The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 19, Beador sat down with Deadline to dish on what fans can expect from the new season, and it sounds like viewers are in for a whole new side of the longtime RHOC star.
“Last season was a little dark for me,” Beador admitted, reflecting on her struggles following a DUI arrest that played out publicly. “So I am very excited to report that I had a very silly season this year. It’s always fun to laugh.”
And laugh she did. Beador shared that she kicked off the season on a lighter note, and surprisingly, with fewer feuds. “I started out this season getting along with mostly everyone,” she said. “That was a nice change for me.”
Still, not everything is sunshine and silliness. Shannon’s DUI arrest continues to follow her, and while she’s done the work behind the scenes to grow, she acknowledges that not everyone’s convinced.
“It’s frustrating that some people don’t think I’ve held myself accountable,” she said. “But everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I know what reality is.”
One relationship still on shaky ground? Her former BFF, Tamra Judge.
“I can co-exist,” Beador said. “But call me a horrible person for not wanting to rush into the friendship that we had.”
That comment alone speaks volumes. The once-unbreakable bond between Shannon and Tamra may not be mended anytime soon and Shannon’s okay with that.
Season 19 also sees the return of Gretchen Rossi, not as a full-time cast member, but in a “friend of” role. Although Beador never shared screen time with Rossi before (Shannon joined the cast just after Gretchen exited), she admits she didn’t exactly give her a fair shot early on.
“I wasn’t friendly with her,” she said. “I had only met her a few times off-camera. I didn’t get close to Gretchen at all because I was trying to be a loyal friend” a subtle nod to Tamra and Gretchen’s infamous beef.
But this time around, Shannon saw a new side of Rossi.
“It was nice to get to know her more,” Beador shared. “She had so much thrown her way when she was filming — with Slade and all these people having their opinions. And look at them now. They’re still together 16 years later, with a beautiful daughter. They’re very happy. So, congratulations to them. I’m glad people see that.”
Despite the drama, Shannon is clearly leaning into joy this season, and she’s not alone. Her newfound friendship with co-star Jen Pedranti had her cracking up constantly on set.
“Jen Pedranti is flipping funny,” she said. “She mutters stuff under her breath. I have never laughed so much with a person like Jen. It’s just, I look at her and I start laughing.”
And yes, Beador knows that might not be headline-grabbing behavior — but she’s okay with that. “I don’t know how entertaining it is,” she laughed, “but I love to laugh.”
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