Katie Ginella Exits “The Real Housewives of Orange County” After Two Seasons

Katie Ginella has confirmed she will not return for the upcoming season of The Real Housewives of Orange County.

In a message shared on Instagram on Friday, Katie Ginella said the network decided to move forward with Season 20 without her. She described the news as disappointing but not surprising after watching how Season 19 unfolded.

Ginella thanked fans for their support and said she was proud of representing herself authentically on the show. “Representation matters,” she wrote, adding that while this chapter is closing, her voice and story will continue. She paired the post with a photo of herself on set wearing a hot pink dress and included an orange heart emoji.

Several cast members and loved ones publicly showed their support. Co-star Tamra Judge commented that she loved Ginella and was grateful for their friendship. Ginella’s husband, Matt Ginella, also posted a supportive message, saying he was proud of her and looking ahead to what comes next.

Fans responded with messages of encouragement and sadness, with many saying they enjoyed what Ginella brought to the show.

Ginella, 41, joined The Real Housewives of Orange County during its 18th season. Her time on the series was marked by tension with several cast members. She clashed with Emily Simpson after her daughter made negative comments about the cast on social media. In Season 19, Ginella also failed a lie detector test related to whether she leaked storylines.

In August 2025, Ginella publicly criticized co-stars Gretchen Rossi and Jennifer Pedranti over a social media video she described as hurtful and racially insensitive. Speaking on Page Six’s Virtual Reali-Tea, she said the video relied on Asian stereotypes and was upsetting to watch. The video was later taken down, and Rossi said it was not intended to be offensive.

Ginella made history when she joined the show in 2024 as the first Asian American cast member on RHOC. She has previously spoken about how being singled out on the show brought back difficult feelings from her childhood.

With her departure confirmed, The Real Housewives of Orange County will move ahead with Season 20 without her, closing a short but impactful chapter in the franchise’s history.