Gretchen Rossi returning to ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ for Season 19

   

One of the OGs of the OC is back!

Gretchen Rossi is set to return to “The Real Housewives of Orange County” for the show’s 19th season, Bravo announced Wednesday.

“She’s back and ready to make fetch happen. Gretchen Rossi joins #RHOC for Season 19!” the network posted on Instagram.

Gretchen Rossi

Gretchen Rossi is returning to “The Real Housewives of Orange County” for Season 19. Getty Images

RHOC cast early seasons

Bravo’s official Instagram account confirmed Rossi’s return on Wednesday. Bravo

The actress — who was previously a series regular for Seasons 4 through 8 — will return to the Bravo reality show as a “friend” of the cast, according to Variety.

Rossi, 46, first joined “RHOC” in 2008 when she was engaged to Jeff Beitzel, who died shortly before the season premiered that November.

By Season 5, Rossi became romantically involved with Slade Smiley — who was previously engaged to “RHOC” alum Jo De La Rosa.

Gretchen Rossi in pink

“She’s back and ready to make fetch happen. Gretchen Rossi joins #RHOC for Season 19!” they posted in the caption. © Bravo

Gretchen Rossi early seasons

The actress — who was previously a series regular from Seasons 4 through 8 — will return as a “friend” of the cast, per Variety. Bravo

Throughout their relationship, other castmates questioned if Rossi and Smiley’s relationship was genuine which created drama among the cast.

Rossi left “RHOC” with a bang at the end of Season 8 when she proposed to Smiley, now 51, who ultimately said yes.

Although the couple never officially tied the knot, Rossi revealed she and Smiley will celebrate their 16th anniversary in February, per Bravo’s the Daily Dish.

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Gretchen Rossi on the red carpet

The 46-year-old TV personality first joined the “Real Housewives” franchise in 2008 when she was engaged to Jeff Beitzel. FilmMagic

Slade Smiley and Gretchen Rossi

By Season 5, Rossi began dating Slade Smiley who she eventually got engaged to. GC Images

Gretchen Rossi and Tamra Judge

Rossi’s relationship became a contentious topic on the show and caused drama with other castmates. © Bravo

They share a daughter named Skylar Gray Smiley, who was born in July 2019.

Season 19 of “RHOC” will see all of last season’s cast members return — including Rossi’s former nemesis Tamra Judge.

Along with Judge, fans will see Shannon Beador, Heather Dubrow, Jennifer Pedranti, Katie Ginella, Gina Kirschenheiter and Emily Simpson holding an orange once more.

RHOC Season 18 cast

Shannon Beador, Heather Dubrow, Jennifer Pedranti, Katie Ginella, Gina Kirschenheiter and Emily Simpson will all return for Season 19. Sami Drasin/Bravo

Alexis Bellino

Alexis Bellino — who appeared as a “friend” of the cast on Season 18 — will not be returning. Nicole Weingart/Bravo

Meanwhile, Alexis Bellino announced in December 2024 that she fired from “RHOC.”

Bellino was a “friend” of the cast on Season 18 and made headlines for her relationship with Beador’s ex John Janssen.

A season premiere date has not been set, but Variety confirmed that Season 19 is already in production.