Noella Bergener has already brought several scandalous moments since joining The Real Housewives of Orange County season 16. Viewers met the mother of two in early December when the new season of the Bravo series began to air.
Noella was introduced with Dr. Jen Armstrong, "friend of" Nicole James, along with the return of Heather Dubrow. While fans officially met Noella at the start of season 16, she has been in the tabloids since the summer. When news began to circulate about the potential new RHOC cast members, so did the news of her divorce.
Not only was it covered by popular online publications, but she also addressed the situation on her social media. Noella had become a tabloid sensation without even appearing on TV yet. A full season hasn't even gone by, and Noella is already at the center of the RHOC drama.
Noella's At-Home Dungeon
During the first episode of the season, Noella dropped a bomb at a luncheon with Heather and Nicole that she and her now-estranged husband, James Bergener, have a sex dungeon in their home. Noella, who revealed her son's autism diagnosis, jokingly told Heather that she had to come over to see it, but she politely declined. Viewers then got a sneak peek inside the dungeon that included a black metal bed, red-painted walls, and some interesting knickknacks.
Shocking Divorce Between Noella & Husband James
In August 2021, Us Weekly confirmed that the reality star had filed for legal separation from her husband after only one year of marriage. Fans saw the whole situation unfold on-screen, with Noella claiming the divorce was out of nowhere. One day Noella was served divorce papers that were drafted in Puerto Rico, where James was staying at the time. The catalyst for the divorce was James' legal issues, as James owes approximately $5.8 million to the IRS and the state of California.
When Noella Called Out Heather In Her Home
In last week's episode of RHOC, Heather invited Noella over to clear the air. Heather was told by Nicole that Noella had called her a "fake b**ch." The actress didn't think too much of it as she knows Noella is going through a rough time in her personal life. When Heather brought this to Noella's attention, they both agreed that Noella's name-calling was simply a case of misplaced aggression. However, their conversation took a turn for the worst when Noella heard that Heather pushed someone during her Nobu party at her home. They both realized the conversation was going nowhere and decided to end it on a civilized note.
A full season of the show hasn't even gone by, and Noella, who's a great addition to RHOC, is already bringing some major drama to the screen. Not only is her personal life a mess, but she's been in multiple feuds with multiple castmates. Season 16 definitely will not be the last viewers see of Noella.
The Real Housewives of Orange County airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EST on Bravo.
Source: Us Weekly