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Katie Ginella has a theory as to why most of her Real Housewives of Orange County costars can’t seem to give her a break.
“I think these women were looking for anything to point out that I’ve done wrong,” Katie, 41, exclusively shared with Us Weekly while promoting the Bravo show on Thursday, July 31. “I think I was really well received [in my first season]. I’m so thankful for everybody being so kind, and I think that was like, ‘OK, well, we’re going to point out things she did wrong if she’s so well received.’”
Viewers met Katie when season 18 kicked off in July 2024. While she had a fairly drama-free debut season, things took a turn when Emily Simpson confronted her about past legal troubles during the reunion special.
Ever since season 19 premiered on July 19, Katie has faced tough conversations – and even confrontations – with many of the ladies, including Emily, 49, Shannon Beador, Tamra Judge and Heather Dubrow.
“I felt very alone on an island,” Katie shared with Us when describing the episodes. “I felt very outed, and it’s a very familiar feeling for me, so it was very difficult.”
When asked to elaborate, the cofounder of TeeShots explained how her childhood wasn’t always easy.
“Being the new person, being the first Asian American on Housewives, being the first Korean American and adoptee, that puts me in a different category, I think,” she said. “I also grew up in a predominantly white community as the only Asian American, so this is just a very familiar feeling.”
Katie expressed gratitude for the loyal fans who have shared positive messages during her time on the Bravo show.
The encouragement helped when Katie questioned if the show was simply too much.
“Sitting on that [season 18] reunion stage, I said, ‘I don’t know if I’ll go back for a second season,’” Katie recalled. “When they called and asked me to do a second season, I thought, ‘I’m going to do this for myself to prove that I’m strong enough to do this.’”
Throughout the season, Katie said she told her husband, Matt Ginella, that she couldn’t do it.
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But she reminded herself that the hardest things in life can be the most rewarding.
“I’m just going to keep pushing through,” she told Us. “I’ve learned more about myself in the last two years of doing this than my entire 41 years of existence, so it’s been really helpful.”
The Real Housewives of Orange County airs on Bravo Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET. Stream old episodes anytime on Peacock.
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