After a few rough seasons of The Real Housewives of Orange County due to poor casting choices and controversies, the show was back with a vengeance for season 15. The series can only go up from there and is ready to launch its 16th season in December 2021.
With OGs Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge gone, Bravo made a huge improvement for the series by signing former Housewife Heather Dubrow. Before season 16 hits screens, fans are rewatching old seasons and ranking their favorite and least favorite Housewives based on their time during the show in season 15.
Kelly Dodd
Kelly Dodd is one of those Housewives who will never live down some of the outlandish things that she said from seasons 10 to 15. Although Dodd was humorous to watch and made each episode dramatic, she had a fall from grace over the years that fans loathed.
As one Redditor said, "I felt so bad for Kelly during the Ireland trip several years back; however, now I think she is the most vile Housewife on the air." While Dodd can have funny one-liners and show glimmers of sensitivity, she's one of the least liked on the show and was not asked back for season 16.
Elizabeth Lyn Vargas
Elizabeth Lyn Vargas joined the series because she was Kelly Dodd's friend. As a woman in business who was going through a bitter divorce, she theoretically could have added some great content to the series — but it didn't pan out that way. Elizabeth wasn't asked back for season 16 and could potentially be one of the most forgotten Housewives because of that fact down the road.
Reddit user Miss-Tiq said that Vargas gave them "bad vibes." Fellow fans chimed in in the comment section to agree. Hannah6915 went even further on the casting of Vargas and wrote, "Watching the evolution of Orange County as a city through the types of women they recruit is really telling. Orange County is dead and no longer is admirable Bravo!"
Braunwyn Windham-Burke
Braunwyn is most known because of her relationship status on RHOC. When she joined the show, she was a married mother of seven. But when the cracks in her relationship began to show, she came out as bisexual and she wanted time to explore that outside of her marriage.
Fans appreciated the inclusivity and depth of Braunwyn's character because it took a lot to come out on camera, especially later in life. However, some moments infuriated fans. Lil_Firecracker424 told Reddit, "[Braunwyn] is probably one of the most selfish, entitled people on these shows." Fans dislike how Braunwyn has treated her family and her friends during her darkest days.
Shannon Storms Beador
Fan opinion on Shannon Storms Beador is mixed. Some RHOC fans love Shannon's quirky energy and rifts with the other Housewives. But others feel that it's time that she takes her final bow.
Reddit user Regina_phalaangey enjoys watching Shannon on their screen, writing, "She’s hilarious and seems so real!" But then there are fans like RalphWaldoPickleCh1p who are "in-between" with her. As they told Reddit, "It seems like Shannon refuses happiness a lot. She's usually whining and complaining, and can't stay in the moment. In short, fans support Shannon but can't always handle her refusal of happiness.
Gina Kirschenheiter
Gina Kirschenheiter has been through a lot since joining the series in season 13. She started as a busy mom of three but went through hell and back during her divorce. Now, she's coming back in season 16 as a new woman. Some of Gina's best RHOC episodes were when she was being authentic and raw about her shortcomings, which viewers could relate to.
Many Housewives are either loved or hated and Reddit user 90DayCantLookAway wrote of Gina, "She is definitely the most 'real' housewife." Others don't love the way Gina handled her divorce or arguments with Shannon, but most can agree that she's trying her best.
Emily Simpson
Emily Simpson joined the series in season 13 and is still going strong into the upcoming 16th season. As a mother, a wife, and a lawyer, Emily is mostly business and no play. She's not attached to too many fights on RHOC but she definitely holds her ground and speaks her mind.
It's because of this that she's some of Reddit's favorite OC Housewife. AAmmjj is #TeamEmily and loves that she's "Genuine, sweet, and just wants to feel empowered and have her friends support her." MeerK4t agreed and wrote, "Emily is the smartest and nicest cast member, for sure."
Heather Dubrow
Heather Dubrow was not in season 15 of RHOC, but she was a part of the series from seasons 7 to 11. When she signed on for season 16, fans united. With Heather back on the roster, it feels like RHOC could find its footing again after a few off years.
KellyGrrrl328 wrote, "Heather was a top tier [Housewife]. There are many women like her in [Orange County] (not sure they’d want to be on reality tv) but Bravo should be looking for more of that quality." Heather's points of view often aligned with the viewers, which is why she's a fan favorite. She also made great TV because she was one of the richest Housewives, making her fascinating to watch.