Katie Ginella, the Newbie of The Real Housewives of Orange County, Reflects on Two Days of Recovery After Filming the Reunion

The cast of The Real Housewives of Orange County season 18, including Gina Kirschenheiter, Heather Dubrow, Emily Simpson, Tamra Judge, Shannon Beador, Jennifer Pedranti, Alexis Bellino, and newcomer Katie Ginella, have already filmed the highly anticipated reunion episode, according to Bravo TV’s official Instagram account.

Along with the announcement, the seating chart for the reunion has also been revealed, sparking excitement among fans. The cast members have hinted at some intense moments, and Katie Ginella, the newest addition to the group, gave a glimpse into just how overwhelming the experience was for her.

Katie recently opened up about the reunion taping, sharing that it left her emotionally drained. During an interview on SiriusXM on October 11, 2024, Katie revealed she needed time to recover after filming wrapped. She told the interviewer:

“I had to take two days to recover, by the way. I feel like I’m coming out of a coma. I laid in bed for two days.”

Katie Ginella Reflects on the Reunion Taping

Katie admitted that processing everything that happened during the reunion was no easy task. For her, and the other cast members, the most shocking part was how some people seemed to switch up their stories. What was said off-camera didn’t always match what was said on-camera, leaving tensions high.

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In an interview with US Weekly on October 11, 2024, Katie described the reunion as “brutal,” highlighting how intense the confrontations were. She explained:

“No battle wounds, but I laid in bed for two days recovering. Nobody could have told me how brutal it would be. It is brutal. It was like the Super Bowl of the season. It was good, but it was really hard. What surprised me the most is that some people say things to you off-camera, and then they’re different on camera.”

As a first-time cast member, Katie didn’t expect the reunion to be as tense and challenging as it was. Her introduction to Gina’s friend group and the wider audience was anything but smooth sailing. She admitted that after the tough experience, she’s uncertain whether she’ll return as a permanent cast member in season 19.

“We’ll see; to be determined,” Katie said. “[The reunion] was tough, and I need to talk to my family because they’re just as involved with this as I am. I need to have a family meeting.”

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Gratitude and Friendships Formed

Despite the challenges, Katie also reflected on the positives of her time on the show. She expressed gratitude for the fans who embraced her and was especially thankful for the friendship she developed with Jennifer Pedranti. She also took pride in being the first Korean American cast member in the Real Housewives franchise.

“The best part has been Jennifer Pedranti!” Katie shared. “We even said yesterday, when we were together, that if we don’t do another season, we’re still gonna be best friends. That’s been kind of the best, and also being able to be the first Asian American on Orange County, the first Korean American on Bravo Housewives.”

What to Expect From the Reunion

Host Andy Cohen has also teased that the reunion episode will be “surprising,” hinting at a possible confrontation. With emotions running high and unexpected twists, it’s sure to be an explosive episode that fans won’t want to miss.

Catch The Real Housewives of Orange County exclusively on Bravo TV every Thursday at 9 pm ET, and stream it the next day on Peacock TV.

Fans can also follow Katie Ginella’s official Instagram account to stay updated on her latest news and life after the show.