Tamra Judge Finally Addresses Rumors That Andy Cohen Fired Her From RHOC

From Prevention

UPDATE: 1/28/2020 at 1 p.m.

Tamra Judge has finally spoken out amid rumors that she was fired from Real Housewives of Orange County by executive producer, Andy Cohen.

In an interview with Champion Daily, Judge said that she loves Cohen and there's no bad blood between them. "I will always have a close friendship with him,” Judge told the outlet. “I enjoyed my 12 years on Bravo but I knew it was coming to an end. I’m not mad about Bravo’s decision but I am sad to lose a family that I love so dearly.”

On yesterday's segment of Andy Cohen Live, Cohen said that Judge “told People Magazine that we had offered her three episodes to come back and kind of wrap out her story. That is true. And she didn’t want to do that,” Champion Daily reported.

“She’s been on the show for 12 years. We wanted to give her a send off. She has been an incredible housewife. She really has," Cohen continued. "She’s been dramatic, she’s beautiful—she has been great. And we have been wanting to kind of…shake it up a little bit for a few years."

The RHOC star said she needed time to process everything, but will "absolutely be OK. I have a wonderful family and created two lucrative businesses," she said. “I keep reminding myself, ‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened,’ which is a quote from Dr. Seuss. Thanks to all my fans for all the love and support you’ve given to me these 12 years, and I look forward to you continuing to follow my journey.”

Cohen also said he hopes she'll find her way back to Bravo in the future. “I’m hoping, and this is not lip service, that she will come back in some form, either in this season or in the next couple, because I just think she’s someone that I’m always interested in, I always want to check in with her on…it’s a process.”

ORIGINAL: 1/27/2020 at 3 p.m.

This week, Real Housewives of Orange County fans were hit with the news of the century when Vicki Gunvalson and Judge announced their departure from the hit Bravo reality show that made them famous.

Nobody is OK.

Gunvalson took to Instagram to say goodbye to the RHOC on Saturday. "It’s been an incredible ride for 14 years and I want thank all of you for your support, for your love and for 'whooping it up' with me along the way," she wrote in the caption alongside a throwback photo of her time on the show. "I’ve been working on new projects that will be exciting, empowering and inspirational."

The reality star and businesswoman said she will be focusing on the launch of her new podcast, Westwood One, and encouraged her fans to follow along as she explores the next chapter of her life. "I love all my fans, and I want to thank Bravo and Evolution for this incredible experience which my family and I have will never forget," she concluded her caption.

Judge, Gunvalson's cast-mate and partner-in-crime, announced to Instagram just a day after Gunvalson that she was also leaving the show.

Judge, who owns Vena Wellness and CUT Fitness, shared an Instagram photo of her and her husband, Eddie Judge, with a caption explaining the news. "It’s been a wild 12 years. But it’s time for me to move on. I'm sad to go but very excited about my future. Love ❤️ you guys ✌🏼" she wrote in the caption.

“After all these years, I’m looking forward to life away from the cameras,” Judge told People in an interview. “I was offered a chance to come back to the show in a limited role, but would prefer to walk away on my own terms.”

Gunvalson is fully supportive of her friend. "We have shared so many great and not so great times together and it has been the ride of our lives. Thelma and Louise .... now where do you want to go?!" she commented to Judge's Instagram post.

Gunvalson's comment received more than 5,000 likes and 300 comments, mostly from fans begging them not to leave the show. "It won’t be the same without you and Tamra, they are crazy to let you both go. 💕" one RHOC fan wrote, while another commented, "Have fun Vicki, you will be missed ! Not sure I will watch it with out you and Tamra."

Andy Cohen, Bravo's longtime Watch What Happens Live host who interviews the network's many TV personalities, shared his thoughts about Gunvalson and Judge's announcements.

Cohen posted a throwback photo of him and Gunvalson at the RHOC Season 3 Reunion to Instagram, with a lengthy caption. "I remember the first reunion I did with Vicki Gunvalson. Occasionally our eyes would meet as I grilled the other women, and she would wink at me optimistically and effervescently as both of her deep dimples shone," he wrote. "She kept winking at me year after year, and it always made my heart smile."

"Vicki is an original, who remained her authentic self from her Family Van-freakout through her last reunion. It’s so hard to remain exactly who you are after being on television for so long, but Vicki is one of a kind. Thank you for everything, @vickigunvalson — what a ride," he continued. "And it’s not over."

Oddly enough, Gunvalson hasn't yet commented on Cohen's tribute. Both she and Judge also aren't following Cohen on Instagram, which could suggest they aren't exiting on good terms.

Judge also announced that she was leaving the show via Twitter, and Cohen shared his thoughts. "An unprecedented run from a woman who was always entertaining, surprising and dramatic — and never ever aged. And now she’s the queen of CBD!" he tweeted in reply.

This Twitter thread sparked outrage among Judge and Gunvalson's fans. "Hey @Andy, you fire them and then send them a love note. How sweet of you. Can you do me a HUGE favor and fire @RHOC_KellyDodd so I can start watching them again. Thanks!" a fan tweeted.

"@Andy I am honestly surprised by all these hateful responses about Tamra and Vicki leaving the show. They are what made the show and without them I’m sorry but it’ll just be boring. That was one thing they never were!" another fan wrote to Cohen.

Other RHOC fans had an opposite response and were excited to see Judge and Gunvalson go. "Vicki AND Tamra gone? It’s an OC dream come true! Can’t wait to see where it goes from here," one person tweeted. "Looking forward to the new cast more than I feel sad about the OGs leaving," another wrote to Cohen.

As Real Housewives of Orange Country gears up to start filming Season 15, it will be interesting to see how everything plays out.

Shannon Beador, who is another longtime cast member of the show since season 9, was a member of the "tres amigas" with Judge and Gunvalson. She remains on the show full-time along with Kelly Dodd, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson and Braunwyn Windham-Burke. We'll have to see how season 15 goes!

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