'Real Housewives' Alexis Bellino Quits Show Over Bullying?
"Real Housewives of Orange County" star Alexis Bellino will not be returning to the hit Bravo reality TV show next season, according to new reports.
The 32-year-old mother of three, who joined the show in season five, is not returning for season eight due to the ongoing bullying that she has endured from her co-stars.
"Alexis was really tired of being bullied and chose home and family life over celebrity," a source reportedly told Us Magazine adding that although Bellino initiated contract negotiations with Bravo executives, she simply "wanted to go back to her simple life in Orange County."
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Bellino, reportedly a Christian, was embroiled in ongoing feuds with her co-stars Tamra Barney, 45, and Gretchen Rossi, 38, which appeared to reach new heights during the season 7 reunion show taping.
Barney hurled various insults at Bellino including the bizarre term "Jesus Jugs," which prompted a response from both Bellino and her husband Jim, in turn sparking threats of a lawsuit.
"Jesus Jugs doesn't just cross the line, it catapults over it. That comment has offended Christians everywhere," Bellino previously wrote in her Bravo TV blog post.
Barney's taunts continued after the reunion show taping through social networking site Twitter. Both she and Rossi suggested that Bellino had purchased Twitter followers and weeks later Barney then blasted her as being "creepy" after Rossi accused Bellino of copying her hairdo.
Barney responded to Bellino's blog post by telling RumorFix.com that "unlike Alexis, I don't need to hide behind the Jesus curtain and I don't feel the need to preach. Alexis and Jim are faux Christians, like her ring."
The California native also went on to accuse Jim of visiting strip clubs with Bellino's former friend Peggy Tanous, which triggered his response.
"The Real Housewives of Orange County is a reality show that is meant to entertain and engage audiences with the lives of its cast members," the Bellinos said in a statement adding that "this vicious and malicious attack on our family will no longer be tolerated. We have continually tried to take the high road, however, if necessary, we are prepared to defend ourselves against these unfounded, slanderous and defamatory remarks to the fullest extent of the law."
