Real Housewives of Orange County fans were left stunned this week after Shannon Beador took a not-so-subtle swipe at longtime frenemy Tamra Judge in a biting Instagram comment that’s already sending shockwaves through Bravo fandom. The drama exploded after Tamra proudly posted a carousel of sultry bikini photos from her recent Cabo getaway, flaunting her toned abs and bronzed curves in what she called her “fit and fearless era.” But while the comments were flooded with fire emojis and praise from fans and fellow Bravolebs, one particular comment from Shannon Beador turned the tide.
“Photoshop god strikes again,” Shannon wrote beneath the post, followed by a wink emoji and a strategically placed hashtag: #JustSaying. Though she quickly deleted the comment, it was too late—screenshots spread like wildfire, and now fans are accusing Shannon of jealousy, body shaming, and reigniting a feud many believed had cooled.
According to insiders close to production, the tension between the two women has been simmering ever since cameras wrapped on the latest RHOC season, with Shannon allegedly “fuming” over how Tamra was portrayed as the comeback queen while she was left looking “lost, lonely, and left out.” One source tells DailyMail+ that Shannon believes Tamra’s social media makeover is part of a “calculated PR spin to erase how cruel and two-faced she was behind the scenes.”
“It’s not just about the bikini pics,” the source explains. “Shannon sees Tamra getting praised for her ‘glow-up’ and fitness, while she’s still battling headlines about DUIs and meltdowns. It stings—and she couldn’t help but snap.”
Tamra, never one to back down from digital warfare, has reportedly already seen the comment and is “fired up” behind the scenes. Though she hasn’t responded directly, a cryptic Instagram Story posted just hours later said, “People who can’t evolve… mock those who do,” accompanied by a mirror selfie of her in the same bikini. Another insider claims Tamra is “done playing nice,” and is now actively pitching producers a reunion segment where she confronts Shannon about the jab.
“Tamra’s sick of the passive-aggressive digs,” the insider adds. “She’s in the best shape of her life, she’s getting brand deals, podcast clout, and the fans are finally seeing her fun side again. Shannon can’t take it.”
Fans are divided, with some defending Shannon’s shade as “iconic and overdue,” while others slammed her as “bitter and stuck in the past.” The drama is already reigniting calls for a shake-up in the RHOC cast next season, with viewers begging producers to lean into the tension rather than pretend it’s been resolved.
Meanwhile, Shannon has gone quiet online, leading many to speculate that she may be dealing with fallout from the post—or possibly regretting the very public misstep. But as any Bravo viewer knows, the real showdown is never on Instagram. It’s at the reunion couch, under the hot lights, where grudges go to explode.
And if this latest spark is any indication, Shannon and Tamra are just getting started
