On The Real Housewives of Orange County, the women have introduced their controversial exes to a reality TV audience. The relationships on the show weathered cheating allegations, lies, and cancer scams. Most of these couples broke up or divorced, allowing the women to be free of their former partners and move on.
Real Housewives fans appreciate each cast member's transparency by showing every part of their stories on television. Whether the reality star was going through good or bad moments, viewers saw tears, laughter, and drama surrounding their love lives. The RHOC women have experienced difficult relationships on the show, leaving fans to wonder why they didn't split from their exes sooner.
Many RHOC men were portrayed negatively on camera, while some were checked out and not invested in staying with their partners. Viewers witnessed red flags from these exes, who were manipulative, untrustworthy, and domineering. No one was surprised when these relationships didn't last. Several RHOC men are disliked by fans, including Vicki Gunvalson's former boyfriend Steve Lodge, who was thirsty for RHOC fame, and Lynne Curtin's ex-husband Frank Curtin. However, only a select few take the cake as the worst exes in RHOC's history.
Slade Smiley From RHOC
Slade Smiley is RHOC's resident bachelor who rose to fame in the first season while dating a 24-year-old at the time, Jo De La Rosa. Slade's reputation was tarnished when he didn't pay his debt and owed his ex-wife child support. The RHOC star tried to control Jo and wanted her to be a typical housewife. He took advantage of their significant age difference by treating her like a child. Slade infamously broke up with Jo on a couch on RHOC season 2 and went on to date alums Lauri Peterson and Gretchen Rossi. Slade and Gretchen are still together and have a 3-year-old daughter but aren't married yet.
David Beador From RHOC
Shannon Beador's ex-husband David Beador, who filed for divorce again, was despised by RHOC fans. When the couple joined RHOC season 9, their marriage was on the rocks. On RHOC season 10, Shannon revealed that David had an affair. Shannon and David tried to work on improving their relationship, even going away on a retreat together. They even did a vow renewal, hoping to save their 17-year marriage for the sake of their three daughters. However, their relationship couldn't be repaired, and the spouses filed for divorce in 2017.
Brooks Ayers From RHOC
Brooks Ayers seemed too good to be true when he first appeared on RHOC. The Louisiana native swept Vicki off her feet following her divorce from her ex-husband, Donn Gunvalson. Brooks filled Vicki's "love tank" with words of affirmation, but it was all for show. When the other RHOC ladies visited a psychic without Vicki, he said Brooks lied about having cancer. For years, Vicki, who had many dramatic outbursts on RHOC, tried to ignore the truth and sacrificed a relationship with her daughter Briana Culberson to support her man. The couple dated on and off for four years and finally called it quits in 2015.
Jim Bellino From RHOC
Alexis Bellino's ex-husband Jim Bellino rubbed RHOC viewers the wrong way from the beginning. The reality TV couple displayed a traditional Christian marriage, with Jim acting as the head of the household and Alexis as the doting wife and mother. Jim criticized his wife's fashion choices and desire to become a news anchor. The RHOC star had to work hard to be independent and start her own career outside the home. In 2018, the couple decided to get a divorce after 13 years of marriage.
Jim Edmonds From RHOC
Meghan King and Jim Edmonds had an awkward relationship on the show. Jim ignored RHOC's Meghan, who filed a restraining order, and never wanted to be on camera. Meghan was also a stepmom to Jim's four kids from two previous marriages. However, she wanted her own children and went through IVF treatments; Meghan and Jim later had three children together. Jim skipped Meghan's doctor's appointments often as he was traveling for work. RHOC castmate Vicki predicted that the pair's marriage would only last five years, and she ended up being right. Meghan filed for divorce in 2019 due to Jim's infidelity and verbal abuse. Many relationships on The Real Housewives of Orange County have ended in disaster, but the women are strong and have come out on the other side.