'The Real Housewives of Orange County' premiere set by Bravo, Emily Simpson and Gina Kirschenheiter announced as new cast members

The Real Housewives of Orange County is coming back to Bravo in one month, and the cast has officially been revealed!


Bravo has announced Season 13 of The Real Housewives of Orange County will premiere Monday, July 16 at 9PM ET/PT.

The new season will star returning Housewives Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Judge, Shannon Beador and Kelly Dodd as well as newbie Housewives Emily Simpson and Gina Kirschenheiter.

The network teases both Emily and Gina are "feisty."

After the surprising reconciliation between Vicki, Tamra and Shannon at last season's reunion, the ladies will be shown working to rebuild their friendship and regain each other's trust.


"But they all know it will take more than a hug to repair the rumors, betrayal and damage done over the years," according to Bravo.

Shannon and Kelly are both newly single and have moved into new homes. They will attempt to navigate the dating world while raising their daughters and launching their own careers, but they approach post-divorce life quite differently.

Meanwhile, Vicki and Steve's relationship is still going strong, but she wants him to commit and be more than just a boyfriend.

As for Tamra, she fears Eddie's health scare could have bigger consequences than just slowing him down. Tamra will also be the one to bring her estranged friend Emily and acquaintance Gina into the group of ladies to shake things up.

The Real Housewives of Orange County is produced by Evolution Media, with Douglas Ross, Alex Baskin, Stephanie Boyriven, Brian McCarthy, Andy Cohen, and Scott Dunlop serving as executive producers. 


Below are Bravo's descriptions of the new cast members: 

Emily Simpson

A true rags-to-riches story, Emily is an Ohio transplant who came from nothing and willed herself to great success to become an attorney, a part-time party-planer, a wife and a mom. However, motherhood has been a bumpy road for her after years of fertility and pregnancy issues.

Resigned to the fact that she could not successfully carry her own children, Emily's sister Sarah stepped in as a surrogate for all three of Emily and her husband Shane's children -- daughter Annabelle and twin boys Luke and Keller.

With three children under five, and two step-daughters from Shane's previous marriage, Emily and Shane, are trying to plan out the future of their family and their careers together.


Emily planned Tamra's baby shower for granddaughter Ava a few years back, but had a falling out with her shortly after befriending some of Tamra's former besties. Now focusing on mending the toxic relationships in her life, Emily hopes that she can find true friendships with the ladies.

Gina Kirschenheiter

This expressive outsider from Long Island is shaking up Southern California and its politically correct Orange County ways. As a mother of three kids under the age of 5, Gina keeps her expectations low and her patience high.

With her husband working and living in Los Angeles during the week, Gina is a single mom of sorts, which causes her to re-evaluate what she wants and needs in her marriage.

Having only lived in Orange County for 3 years, she is still acclimating and is quickly learning that friendships in the OC aren't always what they seem.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski