Why did Gretchen Rossi Leave the Real Housewives of Orange County? Life & Style breaks down her past exit amid news that she’s returning to the Bravo show for season 19.

Why Did Gretchen Rossi Leave ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’?

Gretchen made her RHOC debut during season 4 in 2008. She remained on the show until season 8, though she didn’t return for season 9.

Gretchen also previously hinted that her exit from the reality show might have been mutual. While appearing on a July 2024 episode of the “Then God Moved” podcast, Gretchen admitted she didn’t like the way she was portrayed on the show.

”I was so excited when I started the show. I just thought this will be fun, I get to go shopping and drink champagne with some girlfriends,” she recalled of being cast on RHOC.

After the show aired, Gretchen said she was expecting “such scrutiny and for my actual story to be completely manipulated.”

“I was raised in a very strong Christian household, but that was not the story that they wanted to show,” she added of her plot lines featured on the popular show.

Gretchen said she realized she had to make a change when she met a 6 year old fan of the show. “Even though the fan support means the world to me — in that moment, I believe God put it on my heart that this isn’t the example that I want to be setting,” she said.

What Happened During Gretchen Rossi’s Time on ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’?

Gretchen was engaged to Jeff Beitzel when she started filming season 4, though he died after a battle with cancer by the time that the season premiere.

She went on to pursue a relationship with Slade Smiley, who dated several of the women on the show. However, he made it clear that Gretchen was the one when he accepted her elaborate proposal, in which she popped the question during a helicopter ride during season 8. Gretchen left the show after that season, and she and Slade are still currently going strong. Despite not being married, the pair welcomed their daughter, Skylar Gray, in 2019.

Gretchen Rossi Is Returning for Season 19 of ‘Real Housewives of Orange County’

A source close to the show’s production confirmed to Us Weekly on January 29, 2025, that Gretchen will appear on season 19 as a “friend.”

She is expected to appear alongside stars Emily Simpson, Katie Ginella, Jennifer Pedranti, Tamra Judge, Shannon Beador, Heather Dubrow and Gina Kirschenheiter in the upcoming episodes.

Meanwhile, Bravo also announced her return in an Instagram post on January 29, 2025. “She’s back and ready to make fetch happen,” the network’s account captioned a photo of the reality star. “Gretchen Rossi joins #RHOC for Season 19!”