'RHOC' Season 17 Cast Revealed, Welcomes Two Additional Housewives

"The Real Housewives of Orange County" have opened their arms to new intakes!

The reality series' 17th season is finally here. If the trailer is to be believed, it was well worth the wait, as it will see the return of Heather Dubrow, Shannon Storms Beador, Emily Simpson, and Gina Kirschenheiter. Tamra Judge, who was on a two-year hiatus, will be welcomed back to the fold alongside new Housewife Jennifer Pedranti and former "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star Taylor Armstrong.

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While "RHOC" lovers are anxious to see the return of their fave housewives on the hit Bravo series, they are even more excited for a shakeup in the group. To that end, the reality show will be spicing things up with the addition of Jennifer, a mother-of-five who is in the throes of a divorce.

According to PEOPLE, the yoga studio owner's bio asserts she is "currently separated from her husband — with a twist." While we are led to think that the twist is that she still lives in the same home with her estranged partner while running her family business, the queen might have other things up her sleeve.

She will be introduced to the group by Taylor, who will take the role of the cast's friend this season. Already, the pair have begun showing off their strong bond on Instagram, with Taylor posting a selfie of them alongside the caption:

"Two Oklahoma girls trying to figure out this #RHOC world… 👯‍♀️. One week to go until the season premiere! 🍊.”

As the first Housewife to switch cities, the 51-year-old pointed out that she was looking forward to starting a new chapter on "RHOC," since her "RHOBH" days had been filled with "so much trauma."

In case you missed it, the television personality had filed for divorce from her first husband, Russell Armstrong, after six years of marriage, citing physical and verbal abuse. The venture capitalist died by suicide one month later. Taylor, who left "RHOBH" in 2016 after its sixth season, has since told "RHOC" viewers to expect to meet "a different side of me."

The season will also usher a new phase for Heather, who no longer resides in "Chateau Dubrow," as she and her longtime husband, Terry, sold their Newport Beach property and bought a penthouse in Los Angeles.

The 54-year-old previously credited her desire to connect with others supporting LBGTQ+ family members as the reason for her return to the show — she recently announced that her son, Ace, is transgender.

As for Shannon, her life changed after the filming of season 17 wrapped, as her relationship with her boyfriend of over three years, John Janssen, ended. As it turned out, the romance was completed by John, a move that she claimed "blindsided" her.

Gina's nearly two-year journey as a recovering alcoholic will be front and center in the new season, which she said will allow viewers to witness that she is "having a very natural, real reaction to what's happening in a way I don't think I have in the past."

Emily's fifth return will see her continue to be open about her health journeys, including her 2020 weight loss transformation and recent facelift.

After a two-year break prompted by production firing her in January 2020, Tamra's face has returned to the big screen. Speaking on how she felt about the occurrence at the October 2022 BravoCon, the Vena CBD founder recalled:

"I was like, 'Oh sh*t.' Like, really? This is happening? I got to a state where, the first year, I was in a fetal position crying. I was very sad about not being on the scene, everybody filming and all that stuff."

Last month, The Blast reported that Heather candidly opened up about filming season 17 of "RHOC," which premiered on June 7. After disclosing that it was "a tough season" for her, the mother-of-four shared her curiosity to see how events would unfold from the production's point of view.

Even though she admitted that events could get twisted, misinterpreted, and exaggerated in the show, she was still hopeful about its outcome. She said, "I will tell you, it feels like the show used to be when I was first on it. I think the fans are going to be happy."

Heather also explained that despite conflicts within the new season, the group had strong friendships and shared a deep connection.