Shannon Beador Calls Out Ex's Hypocrisy for Dating Alexis Bellino — and How the “RHOC” Alum 'Devastated' Her

Shannon Storms Beador said she was particularly "hurt" by John Janssen's new romance because he was fully aware that Alexis' ex-husband Jim Bellino sued her for defamation in 2018

Shannon Storms Beador is addressing ex-boyfriend John Janssen’s new romance with Real Housewives of Orange County alum Alexis Bellino.

The Bravolebrity, 59, explained why their relationship was especially hurtful given her rocky history with Bellino. In 2018, the General Hospital star’s ex-husband, Jim Bellino, sued Storms Beador and Tamra Judge for defamation.

As PEOPLE reported in October 2020, she won the case, but not without losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in the process of defending herself.

"John is very well aware of a lawsuit that I was involved in with Jim Bellino, and Alexis was involved in that lawsuit," the reality star told E! News. "I was financially and emotionally devastated for years. And I won. But it devastated me financially. And I'm a single mom. John's aware of that."

Related: Alexis Bellino Dating John Janssen, Shannon Beador's Ex, amid Rumored RHOC Return (Exclusive)

Storms Beador confessed she’s “been hurt” by their new romance and is admittedly stunned by Jannsen’s dating choices.

"I've been hurt a lot in the last couple of weeks because, No. 1, John said that he didn't want to be in the public eye, and he's thrust himself more into the public eye at this point,” she added. “So, I'm quite confused about that."

Last November, Janssen pulled the plug on his romance with Storms Beador, a week after filming wrapped on season 17 of the hit Bravo series. Janssen’s desire to keep their relationship private was a big storyline in the latest installment. The two remained friends but stopped speaking in late September, not long after she was arrested for a DUI.

Related: Shannon Beador 'Blindsided' as Boyfriend John Janssen Ends Their Romance, 3½ Years Into Dating

"I don't know how to process it. How many Orange County Housewives have there been?” she added. “Is that your dating pool?"

As for Bellino, PEOPLE confirmed that she and her fiancé Andy Bohn had split in September, ending their engagement three years after he proposed in December 2020.

Amid their mutual splits, Janssen and Bellino met through mutual friends last month at Orange County eatery The Quiet Woman, one of Storms Beador's frequent stomping grounds and the location of one of the most infamous moments in RHOC history.

PEOPLE then exclusively confirmed earlier this week that the two were dating.

Related: 'RHOC': Shannon Is Put on Blast for 'Jekyll and Hyde' Swings, Dropping Bombs to Hide Her Issues with John

"Currently, they’re not using labels like boyfriend or girlfriend, but they've been spending a lot of time together and have been enjoying learning about each other," a source close to the pair told PEOPLE.

Difficult times have bonded Bellino and Janssen, according to the source. "The two have been supportive companions as they navigate newly single life," the insider says. "This common background paired with a mutual attraction has made it easy for Alexis and John to form a natural connection."

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