During The Real Housewives of Orange County season 16, fans saw a new face, Noella Bergener, and fans are shocked by the news that she and her husband James Bergener have called it quits. Noella is a former model who grew up in Southern California. She has a daughter from a previous relationship and shares a two-year-old son with her estranged husband James, who is an attorney. When viewers first met her, Noella's life seemed picture-perfect, but it was soon revealed that there were cracks under the surface.
In the first episode of RHOC, Noella was shown singing James' praises to the other housewives. When asked about his nickname “Sweet James,” she explained that despite personal injury lawyers having a bad reputation, he was a good person who cared about his clients. Sweet James is also the name of his law firm, of which he is a founding partner. As well, Noella from RHOC said that when she and James first met, they had tons of chemistry. They'd been together since that fateful first meeting, but things have changed.
Noella and James seemed smitten with each other, which is why their divorce news came as a surprise to many viewers. She filed for legal separation in August 2021, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split, after James filed for divorce in Puerto Rico. She also requested primary custody of their son James Jr., with only visitation rights allowed for James Sr. The divorce came on the heels of Noella finding out that James owed an estimated $6 million in taxes to the IRS.
Fans wonder how the divorce will play out on the show. In a future episode preview, Noella is shown crying, “My life is falling apart.” Noella revealed that she received the news about James’ money issues just a week before filming RHOC. Noella, who came on RHOC season 16 as a friend of Shannon Beador, will likely find that Shannon is a very sympathetic shoulder to cry on. For years, fans have watched Shannon struggle to save her marriage to David Beador, but sadly, it ended.
Noella, who described herself as an intelligent and tough woman, will have fans cheering her on throughout her struggles. Episode 1 has just aired, but The Real Housewives of Orange County season 16 promises to be full of drama. There is already a hint of conflict with Heather Dubrow, who fumed about Noella giving her daughter an inappropriate gift. On Instagram, Noella teased that this season will be “crazy and unexpected,” and her drama is surely going to deliver.
Source: Noella Bergener/Instagram