Real Housewives of Orange County returning star Alexis Bellino is officially public in her relationship with Shannon Beador’s ex, John Janssen. The couple proudly attended the DirectTV Oscars Viewing Party together on Sunday, March 10.
“I was a little bit nervous,” Alexis admitted, “but it’s because we’ve been so judged by our relationship. It started as a friendship, formed into more and here we are … Social media really can be very evil. So it’s been a lot, but now we just finally decided we’re taking the bull by the horns and going full force.”
Alexis claimed all the negative publicity has only made her relationship with John more resilient. “It counteracted what they really wanted to do,” she said, “which is tear us down. [But it] actually made us stronger.”
Like riding a bike
Fans of RHOC already know John from his relationship with Shannon. They dated for three years before calling everything off shortly after filming wrapped on Season 17.
Though Alexis and John didn’t previously know each other, they just happened to meet one night at the Quiet Woman restaurant and have been inseparable ever since. Alexis was a regular cast member on Seasons 5 through 8, while Shannon joined the show in Season 9.
But sparks will surely fly when Season 18, which began filming in January, airs later this year with all three participating. Speaking exclusively to Us Weekly, Alexis shared that getting back in front of the cameras was easy.
“[It] was like riding a bike. Like, I just got back on, and off I went,” she said before hinting about filming with Shannon. “Honestly, I just don’t wish Shannon any ill will. We just want some lies to stop, and we’re moving on in positivity. I’m not taking the negative route.”
“Alexis had already been in talks to return … before she even started seeing John,” a source revealed. “Her relationship with him had nothing to do with her returning to the show.” But it will certainly make things more interesting.
Engaging with the other housewives
The insider also indicated that Alexis was “fantastic” with her costars. She’s been spotted filming with Heather Dubrow, Emily Simpson, and Tamra Judge. No word on whether she’s filmed with Shannon yet, though it’s inevitable.
Alexis also hinted at the recently well-documented tension between her and OG Vicki Gunvalson due to Vicki’s close friendship with Shannon.
“Vicki and I shouldn’t even be on the outs,” the mom of three said. “Like, we were friends way before she even met Shannon. So in that aspect, that’s what kind of bothers me. But I would definitely want to keep cordial with Shannon. I don’t see us going to coffee anytime soon unless some of the lies can stop, but I definitely want to keep it cordial.”
Good luck with that, Alexis. In Shannon’s eyes, you stole her man. Just being in the same room together will be tough for a while.
But for now, John and Alexis are just enjoying spending time together. “We’ve traveled together,” he shared. “We have big family dinners constantly. It is going really well. It’s amazing.”
Real Housewives of Orange County is now streaming on Peacock.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK SHANNON AND ALEXIS CAN BE FRIENDS? ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO RHOC SEASON 18?
