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In the world of Real Housewives, few things generate buzz like a cast member threatening to leave the show, but Kelly Dodd isn’t buying Tamra Judge’s recent “quitting” declaration. Dodd, known for her outspoken nature, slammed the claims as nothing more than a publicity stunt — and she’s not shy about explaining why.
Earlier this week, as the RHOC cast ventured to New Orleans, Tamra posted a dramatic Instagram message suggesting that she was walking away from the show. A fan’s simple inquiry — “Are you quitting?” — was met with an emphatic “yes” from Tamra. It didn’t take long for viewers to speculate that the new season might feature some serious tension between Tamra and her co-stars, sparking her alleged exit. However, Kelly Dodd doesn’t believe a word of it.
“Of course it is [fake],” Kelly told Up and Adam in a fiery interview. “She has a million dollars at stake… She’s doing it for publicity. She doesn’t have a storyline. This is her story, and it brings people to want to watch it.”
According to Kelly, Tamra’s dramatic exit is nothing more than a manipulation tactic. “It’s all manipulation,” she stated bluntly. “She has to go through [with] her contract. She’s already been sued before. Bravo could sue her, and then some… It’s just ridiculous that she even wrote that on there. I hope Bravo fines her.” Kelly’s no-holds-barred criticism reflects her belief that Tamra’s actions aren’t about leaving but about keeping the cameras focused on her.
Adding more fuel to the fire, Kelly also shared a memory from a past RHOC season, when Tamra threatened to quit during the infamous cast trip to Bali. According to Kelly, the confrontation there wasn’t the first time Tamra had tried to walk away from the show. “She couldn’t handle it,” Kelly recalled. “She said that she left Bali and was crying the whole way home… All because [a castmate] said she was insecure. I couldn’t believe it.”
This isn’t the first time Kelly has gone in on her former co-star. On her podcast, The Rick & Kelly Show, Kelly went as far as to call Tamra’s persona “pure evil,” even claiming that Tamra resembled “Satan.” Kelly’s husband, Rick Leventhal, echoed the sentiment, joking, “Satan’s helpers.” In her typical candid style, Kelly didn’t stop there. She even took a swipe at fellow RHOC star Heather Dubrow, making a brutal remark about her appearance. “You have a plastic surgeon for a husband and you look like that? I’m so sorry, but that is not attractive. That’s my opinion. And maybe it’s because I know her insides.”
With this level of drama, it’s clear that Kelly Dodd isn’t holding back. Whether she’s calling out Tamra’s “fake” exit or criticizing castmates’ looks and personalities, Kelly’s blunt opinions are sure to keep RHOC fans talking. As for Tamra’s “quitting” — the plot is far from over. It seems like the Real Housewives of Orange County have another showdown on the horizon.
