‘Real Housewives of Orange County’: Tamra and Shannon blame Kelly for their hefty legal bills, but is she really responsible
Any party with the housewives and alcohol never ends well, and the Season 14 finale of ‘RHOC’ had precisely that. It was former OG housewife Vicki Gunvalson’s engagement party and boy we did get the drama. Everything was going smoothly at the party until Kelly Dodd walked in. As soon as Tamra saw the housewife she started simmering with rage. In case you’re wondering what happened between these two again, as they just reconciled in the previous episode, then here is your tea.
Earlier in the episode, Tamra reveals that she had to write a huge cheque to her lawyers to defend herself against a defamatory lawsuit filed by Jim Bellino, former husband of former ‘RHOC’ housewife Alexis Bellino. Jim filed a lawsuit against the housewives when they spoke something about him in a podcast. When Kelly had enough of Tamra’s “pot-stirring”, she decided to join hands with Jim Bellino and extended her support to him on social media. Although we have no information about what Jim and his legal team decided to do with Kelly’s offer, Tamra and Shannon are convinced that due to Kelly’s post, they are being made to pay hefty legal fees.
Now back to the engagement party, Tamra continues giving death stares at Kelly and when she sees Kelly and the other housewives having a good time, she lashes out at Gina. She starts yelling at Gina that she “doesn’t know” and storms out of the party cussing Kelly. When Gina follows her, Tamra again begins (mis)directing her anger at Gina, while Gina calmly hears her out. Shannon and Vicki step outside to find Tamra and they too begin yelling at Gina saying she “doesn’t know”, and accuse her of siding with Kelly. Later Shannon reveals that she too is paying the price for Kelly inserting herself into the situation, and the Tres Amigas blame Kelly for all their legal woes. Not once did Tamra and Shannon pause to consider that their legal woes might be a direct result of them revealing too much in the podcast. Instead of taking accountability for their actions, they conveniently put the blame on Kelly.
In her green-room interview, Emily makes it clear that the lawyers didn’t use Kelly for deposition, so it makes zero sense for the housewives to blame her. Even Kelly points that out at the end of the episode to Emily and Shane and later in her green room interview. Fans seem to be on Kelly’s side on this one, and called out Tamra and Shannon for blaming Kelly.
A fan tweeted, “Tamra and Shannon got on the radio talking about someone’s business, but now it’s somehow Kelly’s fault they’re being sued? Like Emily said, No one is deposing Kelly or calling her as a witness. Lol #RHOC”. Another fan echoed similar thoughts with, “How is this Gina's fault or Kelly's fault. Maybe Tamra and Shannon should keep their mouth shut #RHOC”.
“I’m trying to figure out how Kelly is to blame for Tamra and Shannon going on a podcast and talking shit? Y’all have been talking a lot of shit for a long time and you finally pissed off the wrong one. How about giving accountability a try #RHOC #BravoTV”, wondered a fan.
“Shannon and Tamra’s big mouths got involved in the law suit...not Kelly. #RHOC”, pointed pout a fan.
Another fan commented, “Tamra and Shannon ran their mouths on a podcast and are suffering legal consequences because of it. You have giant legal bills because of YOUR words, not Kelly’s. #RHOC”.
A few fans felt that it was wrong of Kelly to insert herself in their lawsuit but she wasn’t to be blamed for Tamra and Shannon’s defamatory lawsuit. One of them tweeted, “Kelly isn't to blame for the lawsuit...Shannon and Tamra said what they said BUT Kelly should have NEVER inserted herself into the lawsuit and reached out to Jim or whatever #rhoc”.
Another fan commented, “Then end of the story is Tamra and Shannon would still be writing a check whether or not Kelly said she would testify. Wrong of Kelly to do so, but changed nothing in the outcome. #RHOC”
Do you think Kelly Dodd is to be blamed for Tamra Judge and Shannon Beador’s hefty legal bills? Let us know. You can catch the reunion of ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ Season 14 on Wednesday, December 18, at 10 pm ET/PT only on Bravo.