Heather Dubrow Teases Alexis Bellino’s RHOC Return amid Relationship with Costar Shannon Beador’s Ex (Exclusive)

Heather Dubrow is getting candid about Alexis Bellino’s return to The Real Housewives of Orange County.

The TV personality, 55, shared that it was a welcome surprise to have Bellino back in the RHOC mix for season 18 during an interview with PEOPLE at the Race to Erase MS Gala in Los Angeles on Friday, May 10.

“I've been campaigning for Alexis to come back for a few years now, so I was thrilled that she was coming back,” the actress told PEOPLE. “But as you know, truth is stranger than fiction and who could have predicted the John Janssen of it all?”

“So, it's interesting,” she added. “I mean, it's quite a season.”

Adding to the RHOC drama is the fact that Bellino is currently dating RHOC star Shannon Storms Beador’s ex John Janssen. When asked whether she thought Bellino’s return had anything to do with Beador, Dubrow said she doubted it.

“No, Alexis is a really lovely girl,” Dubrow said. “She wouldn't hurt a fly intentionally.”

Bellino — who made her debut as an Orange County housewife in season 5 — will return as a Friend of the Housewives for season 18, a source close to production confirmed to PEOPLE in January.

"Alexis is feeling energized and excited to be back in the mix," the source said at the time. "She ha -

Kylie Jenner and Sister Kendall Pose in ,...

s authentic relationships with many of the girls, so it feels completely natural to be spending time with friends."

However, it appeared that she might have some obstacles back on the set as Beador previously slammed Janssen in the press for dating Bellino, telling E! News in December that she's "hurt" and still trying to figure out "how to process" their coupling after Janssen told her he didn't want to be in the public eye anymore.

"How many Orange County housewives have there been?" she asked. "Is that your dating pool?"

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Beador and Janssen dated for three and a half years and their romance was even featured on the show before he "blindsided" her with a breakup in late 2022. The two eventually became friends again, though it seemed that they once again cut ties after Beador's September arrest for an alleged DUI and hit-and-run.

Filming for the new season of RHOC kicked off in January with Dubrow, Beador, Tamra Judge, Emily Simpson, Gina Kirschenheiter and Jennifer Pedranti all returning for another run.

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