Tamra Judge has revealed that she wants to stay on The Real Housewives of Orange County until its 20th season - amidst the controversy she's facing after she shared that she was 'on the spectrum.'
Judge, 57, has been a part of the Bravo franchise since its third season in 2007, and wants to see things through on the show.
The Vena CBD founder was briefly let go from the series after season 14, but was swiftly brought back for season 17. The program is currently on its 18th season.
'I definitely want to push through to season 20,' Judge told People in a new interview, which was published on the same day that she announced her diagnosis.
'I think that 20 is going to be just spectacular,' the star continued.
'I definitely want to push through to season 20,' Judge told People in a new interview, which was published on the same day that she announced her diagnosis
Judge, 57, has been a part of the Bravo franchise since its third season in 2007, and wants to see things through on the show
'I could see, like, the trip being over the top. I mean, I think it's definitely going to be a season of celebration.'
However, Judge is currently mired in a sea of controversy after she announced during an episode of her podcast on iHeart, Two T's in a Pod, that she was 'on the spectrum.'
'Well, I just did my first therapy session, and let's just say I found out something pretty big about myself that I didn't know,' Judge began during the episode, which she hosts alongside former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, Teddi Mellencamp.
'I am on the spectrum,' Judge claimed, as tears streamed down her face.
Being 'on the spectrum' often refers to Autism Spectrum Disorder, which is cited as a spectrum because it can have wide-ranging symptoms and affect people in different ways.
It is a 'condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, causing problems in social interaction and communication,' according to the Mayo Clinic.
The cases can be quite severe, and some who are diagnosed with autism are unable to use spoken language and face physical symptoms, like epilepsy, per VeryWell Health.
Judge went on to share that she has a 'hard time processing things' and has sensory issues, especially as it relates to sound and light.
Tamra Judge reveals shocking diagnosis she got during therapy session
Loaded: 0%
Progress: 0%
0:00
LIVE
Judge is currently mired in a sea of controversy after she announced during an episode of her podcast on iHeart, Two T's in a Pod, that she was 'on the spectrum'
'My biggest problem is working through trauma, trauma that I had in my life,' Judge continued telling Mellencamp.
'I have a hard time with empathy in feeling other people's feelings,' the Real Housewives veteran explained.
However, her announcement didn't go over so well with some, like longtime autism advocate Zack Peter, and even a few of her former RHOC cast members.
On Tuesday, Peter took to his Instagram page to share his thoughts, explaining that not only does he have a brother with autism, but has worked with many families with autism that are on all different levels of the spectrum.
'I like Tamra, I've met her a number of times, and this really is challenging for me because it feels like she's absolving herself of accountability by attaching herself to the autism diagnosis without fully understanding autism,' he said in the video.
In the comments section of his clip, former Real Housewives of Orange County stars Gretchen Rossi and Vicki Gunvalson also shared their thoughts, slamming Judge for her announcement.
'I am on the spectrum,' Judge claimed, as tears streamed down her face during the podcast episode
Judge went on to share that she has a 'hard time processing things' and has sensory issues, especially as it relates to sound and light
'It's a major insult, and you and I both know it's her way of trying to gain sympathy from an audience that hates her right now,' Rossi wrote. 'She is "setting up' her next year storyline with this BS. She is using this as an excuse for all her horrible behavior over the years (which includes naked wasted) & does this while crying crocodile tears.'
Her comment continued, 'So let's get this straight, she has no empathy for others, but all of a sudden can have empathy for herself in that moment! What a gross and failed attempt to try and excuse her behavior to try to get the audience to feel sorry for her! She makes my stomach turn.'
Gunvalson also chimed in, 'This is disgusting and shame on her. She's looking for attention and sympathy - it's no different than Brooks saying he had cancer for sympathy and lying to me. She needs psychological help and needs to stop making a mockery of being "on the spectrum" or having autism.'
In response to the backlash, Judge put out a statement on her Instagram page last night.
'If you know me, you know I don’t like to look weak or play the victim. I also hate labels, just as much as I hate excuses,' she wrote, in part.
'But I’m working on myself — not a TV show; to be a better person for me and the people around me. This isn’t some storyline. It’s my real life.'
