Noella Bergener and Jen Armstrong recently announced their exit from The Real Housewives of Orange County after one season. Noella and Jen joined RHOC season 16 and received a lukewarm reaction from viewers. Many thought Jen was boring and felt her relationship with her husband, Ryne Holliday, was strange. Ryne seemed uncomfortable in front of the cameras and showed more affection towards their dog, Mr. Puppers, than to his wife. Fans weren’t surprised when Jen filed for divorce in May.
Like Jen, Noella lived out her marital problems with her now ex-husband, James Bergener, in RHOC season 16. Prior to filming, she discovered that James owed almost $6 million in back taxes. Soon afterward, Noella told her castmates that James had disappeared and left her with no access to his money. Midway through RHOC season 16, Noella was served with divorce papers, and fans watched as she processed the end of her marriage. Although fans felt for Noella, many thought she was overly dramatic and exhausting.
Many fans demanded a cast shake-up after a dismal RHOC season 16, and it seems as if Bravo listened. Noella announced on her Instagram Story, “After a wild season of ups and downs, I will not be returning to The Real Housewives of Orange County.” She thanked her fans for their support during the “hardest year” of her life and is “looking forward to brighter skies ahead.” The same day, Jen also shared via her Instagram Story, “I loved opening up about being a working mom on Real Housewives of Orange County…My family and my work are the most important aspects of my life, so I am stepping away from RHOC and focusing on them.” Jen shared that she was “grateful” for her new friends and teased, “There are so many exciting things to come, so stay tuned.”
There have been prior hints that Noella would not be coming back for RHOC season 17. She recently revealed that the cast had all gone out after season 16 wrapped, but she wasn’t invited and blamed her castmate Heather Dubrow for the dig. Former RHOC star Tamra Judge also predicted that Noella wouldn’t return to the show after noting the seating arrangements during the reunion. Noella was placed furthest from host Andy Cohen, despite stirring up major drama for RHOC season 16. Many fans also predicted Jen wouldn’t be returning as well, due to her not bringing anything to the show.
Since Tamra’s departure from RHOC, many fans are demanding she come back, along with former housewife Vicki Gunvalson. Although Bravo hasn’t announced the season 17 cast yet, Heather recently shared a picture of herself alongside fellow RHOC star Shannon Beador with the hashtag, “17,” confirming their return. Gina Kirschenheiter was rumored to have been demoted to a “friend,” which she has denied. With Noella and Jen gone from the show, fans are eager to learn who will replace them in The Real Housewives of Orange County season 17.
Sources: Noella Bergener/Instagram, Jen Armstrong/Instagram
