One Former Real Housewives Star Is Calling Tamra Judge's Sudden RHOC Depature 'Fake'

Season 19 of The Real Housewives of Orange County is officially underway with the ladies from the previous season all returning, including Tamra Judge, Shannon Beador, Heather Dubrow, Emily Simpson, Katie Ginella, Jennifer Pedranti, and Gina Kirschenheiter. The show will also welcome back Gretchen Rossi as a "friend" of the cast after having left before Season 9.

In March, several fans shared photos of the women filming in New Orleans, where they appeared to have fun enjoying the various Mardi Gras celebrations. However, in a March 9th Instagram post, Tamra revealed that she was leaving the show in a surprise and shocking move.

With reports suggesting that Tamra left because of a blow up with her reality TV cast mates, one former Real Housewives star believes her quitting the show is totally "fake" and a form of "manipulation."

Former RHOC Star Kelly Dodd Ripped Tamra Judge On Her "Fake" Announcement That She's Quitting The Bravo Show

When Tamra Judge shared that she was "out" of The Real Housewives of Orange County, implying she had quit the Bravo series, former Real Housewives star Kelly Dodd was quick to criticize her former co-star. Kelly, who starred alongside Tamra from Season 11-14 (with Season 15 being Kelly's last), spoke on the Up and Adam! podcast claiming that Tamra's announcement was nothing more than a "publicity" stunt designed for her to have a storyline for the upcoming season.

When asked if Tamra's Instagram announcement that she was leaving the show was "fake," Kelly shared, "Of course it is [fake]. They’ve signed contracts. She has a million dollars at stake … She’s doing it for publicity. She doesn’t have a storyline. This is her story, and it brings people to want to watch it.”

Kelly continued to slam Tamra, telling the host, "It’s all manipulation. She has to go through [with] her contract. She’s already been sued before. Bravo could sue her, and then some … It’s just ridiculous that she even wrote that on there. I hope Bravo fines her."

When asked to clarify what Tamra would be fined for, Kelly wasn't clear on her answer. In fact, Kelly alleged was fined $16,000 by the network in 2022, which she believed was due to her wearing a "Drunk Wives Matter" hat.

Tamra has been a cast member of RHOC for several years. She appeared as a main cast member for Seasons 3-14, and walked away from the series before returning for Season 17.

In her conversation on Up and Adam! Kelly also speculated that Tamra made her Instagram post because she couldn't take the heat from her co-stars. “I think what happened was — she can’t take anybody criticizing her or coming after her,” she explained. “She’s the bully, and then when she starts to get bullied … she can’t handle it."

On March 9th, after Tamra and the rest of the cast were seen filming in New Orleans, she shared a post on Instagram Stories in which she stated that she was leaving the show.

Without giving any explanation, her post read: "It was a long run! When life gives you real problems, this reality s*** doesn't make sense. Peace out ✌️ I'm out."

Kelly And Her Husband, Ricki Leventhal Called Tamra "Pure Evil" On Their Podcast

Kelly and her husband, Rick Leventhal, spoke about Tamra's "departure" from RHOC on their joint podcast, The Rick & Kelly Show, where they went as far as calling Tamra "Satan," "pure evil," and "a witch."

Kelly doubled down on her statements that Tamra was not leaving the show. "She's not quitting anything. She couldn't take the heat [in New Orleans] so she left and said she's quitting. There's no way in possible hell, if hell freezes over, if she's quitting because she has a contract."

Kelly added that Tamra was "making a million dollars a year" from starring on RHOC, which was why she believed Tamra would never leave the show. Additionally, Kelly and her husband suggested that Tamra was in desperate need of a storyline and this was one way she was going to get it.

As they shared photos of the ladies in New Orleans, Kelly zoomed in on her former cast mates and went after their looks, which was certainly a low blow. Although some RHOC fans may not find it too surprising for Kelly to stoop to that level.

While zooming in on Tamra, Kelly called her "pure evil." "Does that look like Satan right there?" Kelly said, with her husband in agreement.

Kelly would go on to heavily criticize both Shannon and Heather's appearances, too. While Kelly poked fun of Shannon's hair extensions, she shared about Heather, "You have a plastic surgeon for a husband, and you look like that? That is not attractive."

Andy Cohen Hinted That Tamra's Surprise Exit May Have Something To Do With Her Close Friend Teddi Mellencamp

While Kelly had very strong opinions on Tamra's "fake" quitting announcement, Bravo's Andy Cohen also chimed in with his own thoughts. Andy hinted that Tamra's decision to step back from RHOC may be because of her close friend and former cast mate Teddi Mellencamp, who recently underwent surgery to remove multiple brain tumors.

Speaking on his SiriusXM radio show, Andy was reluctant to state what may be the real reason for Tamra's sudden departure as to not give away anything that will air in the new season.

"I got the report of what happened last night. All I will say is this, I can’t comment on what’s going on, you know, while we’re filming shows," he said. However, we later stated that it may have to do with Teddi's scary health journey.

“I guess the only thing that is at the top of my mind is that one of her best friends, if not her best friend, is going through an incredibly intense health crisis. So maybe keep that in mind, otherwise I really don’t have anything to say on the subject.”

While Tamra and Teddi are no longer co-stars on the Bravo show, they continue to work alongside each other as co-hosts on their very successful podcast, Two T's in a Pod, which they launched in 2019.

In a February 12th Instagram post, Tamra shared a very touching shoutout to Teddi before she headed to surgery to have the tumors removed from her brain.

"Join me in praying for @teddimellencamp as she goes into surgery today. Please also pray over her beautiful kids. Teddi Jo, I love you so much and can’t imagine my life without you—you’re the little sister I never had and the best friend anyone could ask for. Sending all the love, positive vibes, and healing energy your way. ❤️🙏 #prayercircle"

In an updated post from Teddi, she informed her fans that doctors successfully removed four tumors from her brain.

However, in March, Teddi revealed she had "multiple tumors in my brain that weren’t able to be removed via surgery." She also detailed that she had "2 tumors in my lungs."

"These are all metastases of my melanoma. The doctors are hopeful that immunotherapy will effectively treat them," she wrote.