Heather Dubrow had serious concerns before joining The Real Housewives of Orange County.
While attending the RHOC Season 20 premiere party alongside her costars, including Tamra Judge, Gina Kirschenheiter and Jennifer Pedranti, Heather admitted that signing onto the Bravo series in 2012 felt risky for her acting career.
Heather, who had already worked as an actress before Housewives, said she worried that reality TV could end that chapter of her life.
She admitted she thought RHOC was “going to be the last nail in the coffin of what had been my career.”
Before joining RHOC in Season 7, Heather had appeared in several scripted projects, including her role as Lydia DeLucca on the CBS drama That’s Life.
At the time, Heather said there were “no actresses” on Real Housewives, and reality TV did not have the same reputation it has now.
“It was so looked down upon for an actor to be on reality,” Heather said to People.
Heather first starred on RHOC in Season 7 and left after Season 11. She later returned in Season 16 in 2021 and has remained a full-time cast member since.
While speaking to People on the red carpet, Heather also admitted that filming the latest season was not easy.
She described RHOC Season 20 as “very difficult,” but said there were still positive moments with the cast.
“I really love the girls’ trips because I had never been on a girls’ trip until I came on the show,” Heather said. “Even with the drama and everything, there is a lot of camaraderie that happens.”
Heather explained that after the cast ended last season in a messy place, she wanted to help bring the group back together.
“I felt like at the end of last season, our group was in a bit of disarray,” she said. “So my goal was to bring everyone together, like I usually do, and say, ‘Let’s start fresh. Let’s get together, let’s have a little fun, and let’s put things aside. If you’re bothered or you have issues, let’s put them aside.’”
Of course, RHOC fans know that bringing the women together is easier said than done.
Heather has often positioned herself as the polished voice of reason in the group, but she has also found herself in plenty of drama over the years — especially when the women question whether she is being authentic or trying to control the narrative.
Still, Heather says the show has given her a platform beyond just reality TV drama.
She shared that it has been “so important” to connect with people and start conversations about her family, especially when it comes to advocating for the LGBTQ community.