What happened between Heather Dubrow and Gina Kirschenheiter? Montana trip falls hefty on ‘RHOC’ co-stars
ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: 'Real Housewives of Orange County' Season 18 is set to debut on July 11, 2024, at 9 pm ET exclusively on Bravo. As the highly anticipated return of the Tres Amigas unfolds, tensions have escalated among the cast members, particularly Heather Dubrow and Gina Kirschenheiter.
In an interview with Distractify, Gina opened up about the fallout with Heather and the surprising turn of events that led to their rift in Season 17. The reality star shared her perspective on the unexpected drama and explained why she never saw it coming from her former friend.
Despite their friendship in Season 16, viewers of RHOC' are well aware of the volatile nature of relationships within this group, where alliances can shift in the blink of an eye.
The unexpected feud between Heather and Gina on "RHOC" caught fans off guard, considering the two had formed a strong bond in Season 16. Their friendship took a sharp turn in Season 17, with rumors circulating that they were on bad terms following a cast trip to Montana.
The tension between Heather and Gina escalated as the season progressed, with disagreements arising over availability and the handling of personal issues. Despite Heather's attempts to protect Gina from potential relationship problems, their differing perspectives led to further conflict.
Gina expressed surprise and disappointment over the rift with Heather, speculating that Tamra's return to the show may have played a role in the discord. The underlying tensions within the group added fuel to the fire, causing further strain on Heather and Gina's once-promising friendship.
“I was actually really surprised when we started the season with her having an issue with me because it felt a little bit like a stretch. Honestly. I'm like, I have six kids and it was summer break. And I like didn't show up to a lunch. So that like, felt like a bit of a stretch that she was starting it with, I wasn't, like, being a good friend," Gina told the media outlet.
Gina expressed feelings of betrayal towards Heather due to her involvement in a game of telephone with Tamra. She also mentioned that she believed Heather was actively seeking out Tamra's friendship now that she has returned to 'The Real Housewives of Orange County.'
Talking of Heather, Gina said, "You're doing things like chucking me under the bus to Tamra because you're just like chasing her. That was hard for me to see, you know, and I didn't really get it.”
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Gina Kirschenheiter feels Heather Dubrow ‘doesn’t quite know where she fits’ on Bravo’s ‘RHOC’
Although Gina and Heather's feud came as a surprise, Mrs 'Fancy Pants' has a history of engaging in some drama on the show. Ever since she made her debut in Season 7, Heather has found herself in numerous conflicts with her fellow cast members as well as other Bravo personalities such as Jeff Lewis from 'Flipping Out.'
Throughout the entire duration of Season 17, Gina recounted how Heather's conflicts within the group persisted, revealing that Tamra' Judge's anger towards Heather had escalated by the season's end. Gina also suggested that Heather may have overestimated the strength of her friendship with the group members.
“I don't really understand what she was chasing so her so hard for and I also don't really care. Like I got to the point where I was like, ‘this is just a bad look for you,’” Gina shared.
The host of the Orange County Podcast may not be the biggest fan of Heather, but she does feel a sense of understanding towards her. She believes that when people criticize Heather's behavior, they should consider the fact that she doesn't have many close relationships within the cast of the show.
“I think sometimes that people forget it's a little bit harder for Heather in general. Because I have Emily [Simpson]. We're best friends, you know. And then Tamra came on, and she was not speaking to Shannon [Storms Beador], but then, they repaired and recovered their friendship. And Jen [Pedranti] is new, and Heather and her didn't know each other at all. Like they have no history. So it's kind of hard for Heather because I think she, she doesn't really quite know where she fits," Gina added.
“And she's trying too hard to fit places. She's like, trying to put the square peg in the circle hole you know, and it just doesn't work," she continued.
Heather Dubrow reveals she had a difficult time filming ‘RHOC’ Season 17
In an interview with E! News in August 2023, Heather Dubrow opened up about her return to 'RHOC' for Season 16 after a five-year break and the challenges she faced during the filming of the show's 17th season.
She expressed her uncertainty about whether her behavior on the show warranted the reactions she received from her fellow cast members. “You have that moment where you watch it back you go, ‘Was it me, did I not say that right? Did I not do that correctly? Or are you just coming after me for no reason?’” Heather said.
She added, “Because I do believe none of us are perfect, and when you like someone and they are your friend, you forgive them, their foibles, their idiosyncrasies, you know, all the little things, and when you don’t like someone, or you want to be irritated by someone, you can lean in.”
Are Heather Dubrow and Gina Kirschenheiter friends now?
During an interview on 'Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen', Heather Dubrow shared that her friendship with the fellow 'Real Housewives of Orange County' cast member was now in a better place.
In response to a question about her current relationship with Gina, Heather gave a brief and positive update on their status. "Good," she replied, also noting that she "appreciated" the Long Island native being there for her during the IMDb drama starring Taylor Armstrong and Tamra Judge.
'RHOC' Season 18 premieres on July 11, 2024, at 9 pm ET only on Bravo.