Alexis Bellino Returns to 'RHOC' As Friend of the Show

Alexis Bellino‘s headed back to “The Real Housewives of Orange County” … but there’s one cast member who probably isn’t looking to reconnect anytime soon — Shannon Beador.

Production sources tell TMZ … the 47-year-old is officially returning to ‘RHOC’ as a friend of the show — more than a decade after walking away from the series in 2013 as a fan fave.

We’re told Bellino — who starred in seasons 5 through 8 as a main cast member and appeared as a guest in season 14 — started filming Tuesday evening with the other housewives as production on Season 18 just began.

The biggest news going into this season down in the O.C. … producers are obviously ready to jump all over the drama between Bellino and Beador — who now have one thing in common … dating the same dude in John Janssen.

Here’s the deal … Alexis recently started dating John who Shannon was in a relationship with from July 2019 until November 2022 — when she says he broke up with her one week after filming on Season 17 wrapped.

SB said she felt blindsided by the breakup … and AB dating her former flame probably isn’t making her feel much better. They’re taking getaways together and Alexis seems to have a good relationship with John’s kids … something Beador has publicly said she did not.

And, that’s just the tip of the iceberg … because even before Bellino and Janssen got together, Beador had been quite clear about her dislike for her new castmate.

TMZ broke the story … just before Shannon’s DUI arrest in September 2023, she was overheard trash-talking Alexis at a restaurant — which Bellino says was over a defamation lawsuit Beador’s ex-husband filed against her and Tamra Judge. Bellino also told us she’s not involved in that lawsuit.

Bottom line … it stands to reason there’s a lot of messy and complicated feelings between these two, and Bravo knows exactly where to put them — on a hit TV show, of course!