Braunwyn Windham-Burke, Elizabeth Lyn Vargas, and Kelly Dodd are not returning to The Real Housewives of Orange County next season. According to reports, Bravo decided not to renew their contracts.
A spokesperson confirmed the news to Variety about Windhand-Burke, Lyn Vargas, and Dodd’s departures.
Windham-Burke joined RHOC in 2019. She was a full-time cast member for seasons 14 and 15 before her exit.
“I'm incredibly sad to not be able to come back to The Real Housewives of Orange County next year,” Windham-Burke said in a statement to PEOPLE about her departure. “I loved every moment of being a Housewife, and am so proud of my time on the show - the good, the bad, and the in-between. It feels revolutionary to say, but I was able to get sober and stay sober on reality TV.”
Vargas, who joined RHOC full time just last year for season 15, confirmed the news via a lengthy Instagram post, in which she thanked the crew and viewers.
“COVID 2020 was a very unfortunate and tough year for all of us during filming but we made it happen and I’m very proud of what we accomplished as a team,” Elizabeth shared on Tuesday, June 15. “Despite filming during COVID and not really getting to know all the ladies fully, this past year has been the most extraordinary, amazing and beautiful experience of my life. I am so proud of the work we have done and the friendships we were able to build.”
She continued, “To the Fans …I can never ever thank you enough for the outpouring of love, support and the kindness you have shown to me.”
Vargas said she was thankful to the cast, crew, and fans while promoting her vodka line. “Thank you for a memorable season and helping me to launch my new Vargas Vodka in which a percentage of every bottle sold goes to help save the animals!” she concluded her goodbye statement.
Dodd, who joined RHOC in 2016 during the show’s eleventh season, took to her Instagram Story where she showed Shannon Beador giving her Class Azule tequila.
“Thank you Shannon Beador,” she said, according to Us Weekly. “Thank you for giving me my parting gift.”
Beador shook her head, and Dodd assured her the news was “already out there.”
The controversial reality star also released a statement via social media. “I had a great five years on RHOC,” Dodd shared via Twitter on Tuesday night. “I will miss working with the ladies and the crews from Evolution and I want to thank Bravo for all the opportunities they gave me. If it weren’t for the show, I’d never have found my husband Rick, the greatest love of my life and for that I’m eternally grateful. I’m also so thankful for the many thousands of fans who’ve shown me love and support since the news broke. Now it’s onward and upward! I’m super excited to be a free agent, not tied to a Bravo contract, and can’t wait to work with Rick on new projects. I wish the show nothing but success.”
Shannon Storms Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter, and Emily Simpson, however, are all returning to RHOC for Season 16. They will be joined by former Housewife Heather Dubrow, who originally left the series in 2017 after five seasons. Variety adds that one or two new women will also join the cast.
