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'RHOC' Season 18: How 'RHOBH' star Sutton Stracke helped Katie Ginella get on Bravo show

'RHOC' Season 18 newcomer Katie Ginella reveals Sutton Stracke was the one who introduced her to Gina Kirschenheiter

ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: Katie Ginella, a newcomer to 'The Real Housewives of Orange County,' revealed her connection to the Bravoverse ahead of her debut on the Season 18 premiere on Thursday, July 11. Following this announcement, fans took to social media to express their excitement about the crossover.

Katie has been a friend of Sutton Stracke for many years, and it was 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star who introduced her to 'RHOC's Gina Kirschenheiter when Katie, her husband, and their four children relocated to Orange County from San Diego.

"I reached out to Gina, and we met for coffee, and we spent five hours together just talking," Katie told Bravo cameras. "She's just a ball of fun. That's how we got to know each other and became fast friends."

Katie told PopCulture.com that her initial impression of her potential castmate came before filming began. "We attended the same party at Sutton's house for Christmas, so that wasn't a very good first impression," she told the outlet. "But a good first impression I had with her [was] at the party when I officially met her for the season, and she was lovely at the party."

On X, one fan wrote, "Oo if Katie is friends with Sutton we know she's going to be a fun ride this season." Another fan added, "Do Katie and Sutton are homegirls. Sutton better recruit rich friends for the show! Go ahead, Sutton!"

One fan wrote, "So basically we have Sutton to thank for Katie." Another fan noted, "Sutton sending Gina some work that's a friend I can get behind, Katie is cute."

Another fan said, "Katie knows Sutton but she’s beefin with Heather this season ugh torn between two mothers I wanna like her." "Katie meeting the group through Sutton is a great start, I trust Suttons opinions," said another fan.

Season 18 newbie Katie Ginella views 'RHOC' debut as a great marketing opportunity for business

Katie, while in conversation with PopCulture.com, revealed that joining Real Housewives was thrilling for her.

"It was exciting for me. I had just started this business, which would be a really cool marketing opportunity, and also [it was] just really exciting to ... be the first Asian on [RHOC], which there's never been one. There's never been a Korean Housewife across the franchises, so that was really exciting to me, and it seemed like something new and fun to experience."

Season 18 newbie Katie Ginella shares first meeting with 'RHOC' cast

Meeting her fellow Housewives, Tamra Judge, Shannon Storms Beador, Heather Dubrow, Gina, Emily Simpson, and Jennifer Pedranti was a significant milestone. "Shannon was great," Katie told PopCulture about her initial impression of the veteran cast member.

She added, "I first met her ... and after we wrapped, she had one of the producers come get me and said, 'It was so great to meet you. Here's my number. Text me if you need anything.' She was a sweetheart. Just very warm and welcome."

Katie described Tamara as a "ball of fun and energy" from the start, but Emily was "a little bit more quiet, but always very kind." She recalled, "[Simpson] was very welcoming, and she was [jokingly] like, 'You sure about this?'" I'm like, 'Yes.' She was great."

Katie "immediately clicked" with Jennifer, especially as Jennifer recounted the tale of her adoption, being the mother of an adopted boy herself. However, Katie's initial impression of Heather was not as favorable.

Season 18 newbie Katie Ginella talks about the upcoming feud with 'RHOC' costar Heather Dubrow

things eventually take a turn for Katie and Heather, which started when Katie discovered "some information that I thought was very fun and lighthearted," but Heather "did not agree it was very fun and lighthearted." Katie emphasized, "That becomes a very big focal and tension point for the two of us throughout the entire season."

'The Real Housewives of Orange County' Season 18 airs on Thursdays on Bravo at 9 pm ET.