Gretchen Rossi Returns To 'Real Housewives Of Orange County' Almost 4 Years After Calling Show 'Inauthentic'

Gretchen Rossi is returning to Bravo, and fans couldn't be happier as they pit her against one of the show's longest-running cast members.

The former Bravolebrity was once a series regular on the "Real Housewives of Orange County" from Season 4 to 8. She was axed from the show after her last season and seemed uninterested in returning.

In 2021, Gretchen Rossi slammed Bravo's "RHOC" season 15 storyline as "confusing" and "inauthentic." Additionally, she claimed she was done with the stressful work environment and toxic narratives, yet she is back for a new season.

Bravo and Rossi confirmed her return for the "RHOC" show's 19th season in a joint Instagram post. They shared a picture of the blonde rocking a figure-hugging lilac dress designed with large studs across its plunging neckline and shoulder straps.

Rossi donned a full-face glam with smokey eyes and glossy pink lips while her hair fell down her shoulders in soft waves. She flashed a pearly-white smile, looking like the perfect Barbie doll, but Bravo noted this doll could bite.

"She's back and ready to make fetch happen. Gretchen Rossi joins #RHOC for Season 19!" the post's caption read, promising plenty of drama this new season. Fans can expect something authentic from Rossi, who once bashed Bravo for failing to deliver relatable content in its 15th season.

Rossi came for "RHOC" showrunners in 2021, with The Blast reporting that she labeled one of its Housewives storyline "inauthentic." She criticized cast member Braunwyn Windham-Burke's sudden transition to a lesbian while living as a married couple with her husband, Sean Burke.

Windham-Burke shocked fans on the show's 15th season when she revealed she was in a same-sex relationship despite her marriage. Rossi found her narrative unrelatable, saying: "It felt very inauthentic because, like, one day she's straight, one day she's lesbian. You know what I mean?"

"Like it was just kind of confusing. At least that's what I'm gathering from what a lot of people have told me when I'm out talking to them or what you see in the comments," Rossi explained. She also addressed her Season 8 exit from the show, noting she was happy living a drama-free life.

While reflecting on her life after Bravo, Rossi declared, "I am so grateful to no longer have that in my life." She claimed she felt happier without dealing with the stressful environment she was often in during the show's filming, saying:

"The actual day in and day outtoxic environment and the stress of like, you know, 'What somebody's going to make up about you this week?… What lie are they going to tell about you? … What crap are they talking about you that you didn't know that they were talking about you?'"

Although Rossi noted she was done with the stress and toxicity in 2021, it seemed four years was enough to change her mind. Fans welcomed her back with supportive comments underneath her comeback, imploring her to unleash hell on her former nemesis, Tamra Judge.

Rossi's comeback sparked cries for Judge to leave the reality TV series, with one fan declaring: "The next announcement needs to be 'Tamra is leaving the Bravo universe.'"

Another echoed similar sentiments, writing, "It's a Tamra take down season, and I can't wait to see it." A third added, "It's time for Tamra to leave," while a fourth chimed: "Gretchen, come back and show Tamra whose boss."

The love for Rossi continued with an Instagram user noting she should team up with OG cast member Vicki Gunvalson. "Gretchen and Vicki as friends need to take down Tamra!!!" the fan penned.

"Can't wait to hear her say 'Tamraaaaa!'" another excited comment read. While Rossi's fans saw Judge as the villain, the Bravo Star believed Rossi and her beau, Slade Smiley, were after her. The Blast reported that she addressed the drama in 2021 on the SiriusXM radio show "Jeff Lewis Live."

While reflecting on her tumultuous relationship with Ross and Smiley, Judge alleged, "They've never liked me. It's constant." She claimed the pair once attempted to destroy her image with a media takedown, saying:

"I actually have emails from a reporter where Slade is actually trying to sell bad stories about me. I don't know anything about them. They have their a–es hurt over me for some strong reason."

When Judge announced she would not feature on "RHOC" season 15, she alleged Rossi and Smiley were elated about her exit. However, Rossi accused Judge of being in cahoots with Bravo to sell stories about her.

How will Gretchen Rossi and Tamra Judge's tumultuous relationship play out in the show's new season?