Tamra Judge is opening up about the painful estrangement from her daughter Sidney Barney and why an emotional moment with longtime rival Shannon Beador meant so much to her.
During the October 15 episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County, Tamra became emotional while discussing her strained relationship with Sidney during the cast trip to Tokyo.
The conversation was especially difficult for Tamra because her relationship with Sidney has been a source of heartbreak for years, and she feels that some of her castmates have used the estrangement against her during arguments.
Appearing on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen following the episode, Tamra broke down again while reflecting on the scene.
Andy pointed out that he had never seen Tamra break down quite so intensely on RHOC.
Tamra explained that Shannon comforting her during the emotional conversation was particularly meaningful given their complicated friendship.
“It kind of meant everything to me,” Tamra said as she wiped away tears. “Me and Shannon have gone through so many ups and downs through the past 12 years of knowing each other.”
Tamra then revealed that viewers did not get to see the entire conversation between her and Shannon.
“There was a scene, they didn’t show it, where I said, ‘You and I have gone through so much together, but you’ve never villainized me for the situation I’m going through.’”
The moment was significant considering how frequently Tamra and Shannon have clashed over the years. Their friendship has been one of RHOC’s most complicated relationships, with the two going from close friends to bitter rivals and back again.
Despite their disagreements, Tamra said Shannon has never used her relationship with Sidney as ammunition.
And according to Tamra, that has not always been the case with others.
During the RHOC episode, Tamra expressed how hurt she had been by Vicki Gunvalson previously discussing her estrangement from Sidney on her podcast.
Tamra explained on WWHL that whenever she finds herself in conflict with someone, her family situation often becomes a target.
“It’s a tough situation. It’s a hard situation. People want to make me out to be the villain,” Tamra said.
“So it just meant a lot for Shannon to be there.”
Tamra then addressed how painful it has been to hear people bring up Sidney whenever they are upset with her.
“Whenever somebody gets mad at me, their go-to is, ‘Your daughter hates you,’” Tamra shared.
“It’s so much deeper than that. I hope that we can put this to rest. It’s a family situation that is not good; it’s sad, and it’s horrible.”
Tamra And Sidney Have Been Estranged For Years
Tamra’s strained relationship with Sidney dates back to her contentious divorce from ex-husband Simon Barney.
Tamra shares Sidney, Sophia and Spencer with Simon, along with her oldest son Ryan Vieth from her first marriage.
The family’s difficulties have played out publicly for years, with Tamra discussing the emotional toll of being estranged from Sidney on several occasions.
Sidney has also previously spoken publicly about their relationship, including expressing concerns about her privacy and her mother’s decision to discuss family matters on television and social media.
The situation became particularly painful after Sidney moved out of Tamra’s home as a teenager.
Earlier in RHOC Season 19, Tamra opened up about how that experience continues to affect her relationship with her younger daughter Sophia.
“Sidney moved out when she was 14, and she never came back,” Tamra said in a confessional.
Tamra admitted that when Sophia began preparing to move out, it brought back fears of losing another relationship with one of her children.
“I know that if Sophia moves out, it’s not forever,” Tamra explained. “But because of what I went through with Sidney, I worry that Sophia is going to leave me. I’m worried that she’ll never talk to me again.”