After 14 long seasons, Tamara Judge is finally retiring from The Real Housewives of Orange County. As one of the show's original cast members, Tamra has been a part of the reality TV show since its inception, and has paved the way for newer housewives.
Depending on a fan's view of Tamra, they're either pumped for her exit or upset that they'll never hear her witty remarks again. Regardless, Tamra is moving on to new beginnings (some even say a new TV show with former housewife and best friend Vicki Gunvalson).
Through all the seasons, reunion shows, sobs, and breakups, let's take a look at five reasons why we'll miss Tamra's presence on the show, and five why we're glad she's gone.
We'll Miss Her: Quick One-Liners
Tamra isn't the most elegant of speakers but she sure does have some hilarious one-liners when they're needed most. She called Alexis "Jesus Jugs," she once didn't trust a woman who had a bigger chest than her head, and she's fond of the average curse word. It's rare when we see Tamra speechless, but to be honest, we don't want to. Tamra is much more than a pretty face. She's smart and goes for the jugular, which makes for great TV.
Needs To Leave: She Fat-Shamed Emily
As fans know, Tamra is part owner of Cut Fitness with her husband Eddie. No one could have guessed that Tamra would own a gym one day with her husband when we first met her in 2006, but here we are. She's turned into quite a little fitness star. Nevertheless, her health and wellness passion were no excuse for when she fat-shamed Emily.
Tamra referred to Emily as "Shrek," and made some pretty condescending comments to her when they talked about her diet — not to mention when Emily put cream and sugar in her coffee. As a grown woman, Tamra should be better than that. Not to mention Emily deserves better than that.
We'll Miss Her: Relationship With Eddie
When we first met Tamra, she was married to Simon Barney. The couple had children together along with Tamra's son from a prior relationship. The problem with her marriage to Simon was that Tamra outgrew it. She was becoming more and more independent and speaking up for herself, and that wasn't the Tamra Simon knew. It also didn't help that Tamra's eldest son and Simon didn't get along. Thankfully, though, Eddie came into Tamra's life, and the two hit it off. He's the level-headed supporter she always needed. Unlike a few other husbands and boyfriends that have been on RHOC, Eddie and Tamra were fun to watch.
Needs To Leave: Her Relationship With Her Children Is In Shambles
Fans of RHOC are most familiar with Tamra's eldest son Ryan because he's always been of an age to make his own decisions in front of the camera. However, she also has three kids with Simon (Spencer, Sidney, and Sophia). The reason why we don't hear much about her three other kids is due to her estranged relationship with them.
It also doesn't help being in the spotlight and doing crude things in front of everyone. Nevertheless, Tamra's relationship with her kids isn't in the best place, and it would be smart if she focused on that relationship instead of the show.
We'll Miss Her: One Of The OGs Of The OC
C'mon, no matter how a fan feels about Tamra Judge, it's the end of an era. She was part of the original crew back in 2006 when the show first aired. It was Tamra Judge, Vicki Gunvalson, Kimberly Bryant, Jo De La Rosa, Jeana Keough, and Lauri Waring. Together, we saw these women go about their lives, playing things out in front of the camera crew. Who knew it would be such a success? With Vicki being demoted and then later fired, it's sad to the two women part ways with Bravo.
Needs To Leave: She's The Worst Kind Of Friend
One thing that fans and haters all seem to have in common is that they think Tamra is a horrible friend. Instead of being an equal listener and pal to everyone in the group, Tamra eggs her so-called friends on, starts rumors, spreads rumors, and talks behind their backs. (And yes, every housewife has done this before, but Tamra is in a different league.) Season after season, Tamra spreads rumors but as soon as a rumor is said about her she has a meltdown. She made fun of Alexis's religion, claimed Gretchen cheated on her former fiance Jeff, talked about Shannon's marriage (and her weight), and as Vicki's best friend, these two women sure do fight a lot.
We'll Miss Her: The Tres Amigas
The Tres Amigas consists of Tamra, Vicki, and Shannon. Vicki is typically skeptical of newcomers but she got along well with Shannon, and with Tamra, the Tres Amigas were born. The three of them would often have way too much to drink and get into wild situations that typically made them look ridiculous. But they didn't care — they were the Tres Amigas! Now with Tamra and Vicki gone from RHOC, Shannon is left alone to fend for herself.
Needs To Leave: She Started Every Kind Of Rumor (But Got Mad When The Tables Were Turned)
When someone gives Tamra an inch, she takes a mile. She instigates most arguments but somehow breaks free from it all because she makes it seem as if she's coming from a caring place. But as we see in her interviews, she's typically just fishing for drama. Shannon Beador (a member of the Tres Amigas and a good friend) lost trust in Tamra after confiding in her about her failing marriage, and what did Tamra do? She told Heather. And that's just one example. The same thing happened in the most recent season of RHOC with Kelly Dodd and the ever-popular "train."
We'll Miss Her: Shining At Reunion Shows
Every Real Housewives fans live for the reunion shows. After tuning in week after week for a new Housewives episode, the reunion show is when all the women gather around to talk and hash things out. Andy is the mediator, but he can't always keep these women in line. As an RHOC OG, Tamra knows how these reunion shows work, and always brings her A-game. It's not very often Tamra Judge is sitting by silently at a reunion with nothing to contribute. She's usually yelling at someone or defending herself from the wolves.
Needs To Leave: Are Tamra & Vicki A Tag-Team Of Bullies?
Are Tamra and Vicki bullies in their own right, or does each woman bring out that bullying nature in the other? Regardless if they are or aren't, both women have called it quits and have left the Real Housewives. When the two were together, Emily has said they were "mean girls" who bullied the other women all season. Former housewife Gretchen also said the same thing. Tamra would likely deny ever being a bully, but not too many women in their fifties acts more dramatically than their own kids...