Alexis Bellino Excited for ‘Fun’ RHOC Comeback After ‘Trying Too Hard’ in the Past

Though long-time viewers of Real Housewives of Orange County are already familiar with Alexis Bellino , she’d like to reintroduce herself.

Alexis made her RHOC debut as a full-time cast member in Season 5, lasting until Season 8. Now, she’s back. This time, Alexis signed on as a “friend of.” However, she’ll have a hand in much of the drama.

In a recent interview, Alexis revealed that she’s excited to show viewers how much she’s come into her own since her first RHOC run. And, to Shannon Beador’s dismay, Alexis is also ready to showcase her relationship with Shannon’s ex, John Janssen .

“You’ll see a different version of Alexis this time”

Alexis discussed her comeback with OK! Despite her obvious rift with Shannon, she does have some allies among the group she was happy to reconnect with – Heather Dubrow and Tamra Judge.

“Getting back with the girls has been so fun. When I was on years ago, there were a lot of friendships that ended up strained. I was trying too hard. I was not myself. You’ll see a different version of Alexis this time,” said Alexis.

She then touched on how much she’s grown and evolved in her time away from the show. “I’m more mature. I’m a woman now, not a girl anymore. I was a girl back then. A lot has changed in that 14 years. But I think that you will get to see a strong, independent woman this time.”

Who could forget Alexis’ feud with Tamra, precipitating Alexis’ longstanding nickname: Jesus Jugs? The two have formed a friendship since then. Alexis and Heather are now on good terms as well. It was Heather who campaigned for an Alexis comeback .

Alexis explained, “I left the show with broken relationships with Heather and Tamra. Tamra and I had been friends off and on when I was filming. Heather and I started as friends — but that was severed during filming. Then Heather went on an apology tour with me when we weren’t filming.”

There’s also John Janssen…

Another part of her life she’ll be sharing is her somewhat controversial relationship with John .

“We were friends, we fell in love, and that’s what it is. By the time the season ends, we’ll have been together for a year. Then it’s like, ‘Okay, will people just finally let us be,” said Alexis.

Though, she and John both understand the optics of their relationship, given their proximity to Shannon.

Alexis shared, “…[John and I] could have dated anybody else. We tried to keep it like that. That’s something that I’m excited for everyone to understand. We tried to keep it as a friendship only because we both knew.”

“… We’re going be scrutinized, we’re going to be shamed, we’re going to be cut down. But at the end of the day, our feelings were too strong to not move forward.”

Season 18 (wow!) of Real Housewives of Orange County premieres this Thursday, July 11, at 9/8c. on Bravo.

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