Kelly Dodd, Braunwyn not returning to ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’

Reality TV

Bravo heard fans’ calls.

Much-maligned Kelly Dodd won’t be returning to “The Real Housewives of Orange County” — and neither will Braunwyn Windham-Burke or Elizabeth Lyn Vargas, a Bravo rep confirmed to Page Six.

The network declined to renew their contracts.

But one familiar face will be making a comeback. Heather Dubrow, who appeared on Seasons 71 through 11 of the reality show, is confirmed to return for the upcoming 16th season.

Cast members Shannon Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter and Emily Simpson are also returning.

Sources tell Page Six that two newcomers will also join the cast, one of whom is an “unknown” wealthy black woman.

Windham-Burke appeared on “RHOC” for two seasons while Vargas only appeared on the most recent season. But it was Dodd whom people wanted removed from the series because of her controversial opinions and comments about the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, Dodd described the pandemic as “God’s way of thinning the herd.” She later apologized for her remarks, but didn’t appear to grow from her mistakes, coming under fire again in 2021 for mocking COVID-19 in a video filmed when she returned to indoor dining.

Kelly Dodd
Fans called for Dodd to be fired from “RHOC” after numerous controversial remarks.
NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

In one now-deleted video, she was heard yelling “Cheers!” as someone yelled out, “To superspreaders.” One of her friends then fake-coughed after shouting, “Spread that s–t.”

Positive Beverage — a company Dodd helped get off the ground — fired her shortly after the videos went viral.

The fury against Dodd only worsened after she wore a hat with the slogan “Drunk Wives Matter,” which many felt poked fun at the Black Lives Matter movement.

Braunwyn Windham-Burke, Kelly Dodd
Windham-Burke and Vargas won’t be returning to the Bravo series.
Randy Shropshire/Bravo

“It was not intended to offend or make any kind of statement,” she said in a statement after the controversy. “Of course I support black lives and racial equality! Thank you all  Love, Kelly.”

Vargas’ storyline last season revolved around her being raised in a religious cult. Windham-Burke, meanwhile, came out as gay in December after filming for Season 15 wrapped, and spoke on the reunion about how she and longtime husband Sean Burke planned to stay married despite her revelation.

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