Kelly Dodd has slammed her Real Housewives of Orange County co-star Braunwyn Windham-Burke after it was revealed that both stars have been axed from the show earlier this week.
Dodd, 45, had faced intense backlash last year for her controversial opinions on COVID-19, as well as facing accusations of racism and homophobia, but on Thursday, she put the blame squarely on Windham-Burke, 43.
A text message sent from Kelly to Braunwyn says: ‘This was your fault. We’d still be on the show if you didn’t make things so dark and ugly and brought all that political “woke” BS.’
It goes on, ‘Your lies about me, calling me a racist and a homophobe were horribly destructive and your phony storylines didn’t help either.’
‘We’d still be on the show if it wasn’t for your woke BS’: Kelly Dodd (left) SLAMS her RHOC co-star Braunwyn Windham-Burke (right) for getting them both fired
Known for their fights on the show, in November last year, Dodd accused Windham-Burke, who is gay, of calling her ‘a racist and homophobic (sic) in a nationally televised interview.’
Giving a classy clap back and ignoring the vitriol, Braunwyn replied in the text messages: ‘Well I’m still sober and still gay, like I said if you ever want to talk I’m here’
Explaining the beef further, Kelly said on Instagram: ‘I can’t believe this Braunwyn has the audacity to text me !! She went on a podcast .. She said she was fired from the show because we all didn’t like her because she’s gay.’
‘Not because she’s a horrible person. Not because she treated everyone like s**t and made no effort to be friends with us. Not because she went on a press tour and made horrible accusations about us calling all of us homophobes and racist, Not because she’s a terrible mother.’
She raged on: ‘Not because she’s a horrible person to her husband. The only reason she was fired is because she is gay. What a fucking nut job classic narcissist! ‘
Variety confirmed the news that the ladies will not be returning for the 16th season earlier this week.
Attack: Kelly shared these screenshots of her sparring with Braunwyn on Thursday
Classy clap back: Ignoring the vitriol, Braunwyn replied: ‘Well I’m still sober and still gay, like I said if you ever want to talk I’m here’
While Kelly and Braunwyn are not welcome on the cast any longer, Heather Dubrow is set to make a triumphant return to the show after taking four seasons off following her last stint in 2016 for season 11.
Dodd faced intense backlash last year for her controversial COVID-19 opinions and later toasted to being a ‘super-spreader’ while at a bar with friends amid strict lockdown and social distancing measures in California.
Bravo also cancelled the contracts for Elizabeth Lyn Vargas, who was on the most recent season.
Shannon Storms Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter and Emily Simpson will be back for another season in front of cameras.
Reports that Tamra Judge will also return have only been confirmed on the Housewives Wikipedia page.
Kelly Dodd will not be returning for the 16th season of Real Housewives of Orange County, according to Variety; seen in 2019
Tweeting about the news on Tuesday, Kelly wrote: ‘The last five years have been an amazing experience. The next five years will be even better. I am so grateful for all the love and support and so excited about the future.’
Kelly was dropped from her partnership with Positive Beverages in February due to her ‘controversial views and opinions’ on COVID-19.
She first partnered with the brand in February 2019 and regularly promoted the sparkling beverage on her social media accounts and in episodes of RHOC.
Statement piece: Kelly was back in the spotlight for sporting a Drunk Wives Matter hat at her surprise bridal shower in Orange County in October
In January, Kelly and her friends toasted to being ‘super spreaders’ as they dined maskless in Newport Beach despite surging cases of the coronavirus throughout Southern California.
In response to being let go from the company, Kelly noted that she was ‘glad I could help put Positive Beverage on the map and wish them well.’
‘2020 has taught us that words have power and listening can unite … we listened to you and have an important action to share,’ the brand first shared.
Get the champs! Heather Dubrow is set to make a triumphant return to the show after taking four seasons off following her last stint in 2016 for season 11; seen in 2018
Out with the old: Kelly Dodd was dropped from her partnership with Positive Beverages due to her ‘controversial views and opinions’ on COVID-19
Yikes: In January, Kelly and her friends toasted to being ‘super spreaders’ as they dined maskless in Newport Beach despite surging cases of the coronavirus throughout Southern California
‘Our core values of wellness, community, diversity and inclusion should be reflected by our brand and anyone associated with it,’ head of Brand Zach Muchnick comments, ‘it has become clear over the past few months that Kelly’s controversial views and opinions have distracted from our primary objectives, so effective today, we are no longer affiliated with Kelly Dodd-Leventhal.’
‘We welcome all people – however they are and whatever they are passionate about – to Positive Beverage,’ says CEO, Shannon Argyros, ‘but there must always be an underlying layer of respect. Unfortunately, we feel Kelly’s stance is no longer congruent with our core values. We appreciate her contributions during our affiliation, and she will always be a part of Positive Beverage’s history, but we do not align with her opinions or global views while we uphold our own values and the values of customers.’
Dodd claimed she was ‘getting a lot of hate for being at a restaurant we’re allowed to be at’ after California partially lifted dining restrictions amid the ongoing pandemic.
‘The sheeple are mad,’ she said. ‘I’m not a super spreader because there’s nothing to spread because we all got the vaccine and we don’t have it, so there’s nothing to spread about super spreaders.’
Dream team: Reports that Tamra Judge will also return have only been confirmed on the Housewives Wikipedia page
Kelly made headlines last April after saying on social media that she believed that the pandemic was ‘Gods way of thinning the herd’ as she argued with an Instagram user who called her out after taking a cross-country flight.
After a user wrote to Dodd, ‘If non-essential workers keep traveling back and forth like you, it will last longer,’ the reality star replied, ‘Do you know how many people died from the H1N1, the swine flu or SARS? It’s 25% get your facts straight you are only hearing numbers not the reality! It’s God’s way of thinning the herd!’
She subsequently apologized for the remarks and attempted to clarify her statement.
‘When I wrote that it’s “God’s way of thinning the herd,” that’s not what I meant,’ Dodd said on Instagram Stories. ‘What I meant was, “Do these pandemics happen because it’s God’s way?” I’m not God. I’m not insensitive.
‘I feel bad for all the families that have lost loved ones, and I do think we should all stay at home and protect everybody. That’s not what I meant, and I want to apologize to anyone who got offended, OK? I’m sorry.’
She apologized again while appearing on Watch What Happens Live, saying of her past controversy: ‘It was insensitive and I apologize if I hurt or offended anybody.’
Friends forever: Real Housewives of Orange County first debuted in 2006 and spawned spin-offs in New York, Atlanta, Miami, Beverly Hills, Potomac, New Jersey, Dallas and Salt Lake City