Why Real Housewives of Orange County's Gina Kirschenheiter Decided to Film Season 17 Sober

The Real Housewives of Orange County's 17th season looked a little different to Gina Kirschenheiter.

For the first time since she joined the show in 2018, the Bravo star didn't drink during filming.

"It's crazy, right? Who would do this sober?" the mother of three joked to E! News' Justin Sylvester and Keltie Knight on the July 25 episode. "I just keep saying the whole season, 'I am way too sober for this.'"

But on a more serious note, Gina explained what motivated her decision to whoop it up less in front of the cameras this season.

"I think it was a really good thing for me," the 39-year-old noted. "Obviously, personally I was able to tackle and look at some things that I really didn't want to look at. And also I just felt way more present the whole season and able to stay in it more and help work things out between some of my castmates and what not, rather than just being like, 'I can't take it anymore. I'm just gonna put myself down.'"

Bravo fans have watched Gina struggle with new castmember Jennifer Pedranti opening up about her history of infidelity, given that Gina's ex-husband Matt Kirschenheiter cheated on her and ended their marriage over the 2018 affair. The reality star admitted being sober really helped her navigate her triggered emotions this season.

"That's the right mindset if you're going to look at these kind of traumas or things, you really want to do it with a clear mind," she explained. "I have absolutely forgiven my ex. That's why, for me, this really doesn't have anything to do with him. It has to do with me and me having to process through all of my feelings and what I went through in regards to that trauma."

Gina also addressed an eyebrow-raising announcement her costar Heather Dubrow made this week. After Heather revealed she and husband Terry Dubrow bought a multi-million dollar mansion in Beverly Hills, fans are already wondering if this could be Heather's last season on RHOC.

"I'm really happy for her," Gina said, adding, "I was really hopeful that she would stay for longer, but then I did hear that about the house. I don't know, it's gonna be harder if she doesn't live here."

The Real Housewives of Orange County airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on Bravo. Keep reading to see E!'s definitive ranking of every Housewife in Bravo history.

Bravo's ill-fated attempt at highlighting our nation's capital brought together four women so forgettable you'd be forgiven for erasing them from your memory—though their names are Mary Amons, Lynda Erkiletian, Cat Ommanney and Stacie Scott Turner—and one so desperate for fame that she gate-crashed a party at the White House. More on her later.

Who?

Vaguely familiar, but...

Once upon a time, DeShawn starred on the same TV show as NeNe Leakes. Surprising, we know.

This one-season Housewife brought nothing to the Orange County table.

Utah's newest season two Housewife went out with a bang (and not in a good way). In January 2022, Jennie was fired after "offensive" and racially insensitive old Facebook posts resurfaced online. Jennie later apologized but the damage was done.

Her defining trait was "cougar."

The Orange County doctor was never a source of drama during season 16 and her brief marriage troubles with eternally shirtless husband Ryne (or Ryan?) were less than riveting. However, we will never forget Dr. Jen getting absolutely wasted on wine during the Dubrows' insanely awkward—yet wildly entertaining—dinner party.

Katie loved to talk about her charity work, but...didn't do much else on screen. She was one and done, only to come back and not contribute much as a friend. Leaving the cast trip early? A Housewives no-no.

Her marriage problems were on full display the two seasons she was a full-time Housewife...that and her champagne room are the two memorable things about Charrisse.

A one-and-done Housewife, Shamari was at least fun?

While it was nice to see some diversity in the lily-white O.C., Peggy ultimately proved to be a frustrating presence in season 12. The fights she chose to pick were bizarre, and often involving someone using a word she simply didn't understand, and her decision to simply hide out in her room for an entire day during the trip to Iceland proved that she wasn't really cut out for this Real Housewives life.

Noella spun through season 16 like a tornado of frantic energy. While her personal struggles were somewhat compelling (her husband James up and left the country and asked for a divorce right before filming started), it was her constant drama with queen bee Heather Dubrow that helped her not land completely at the bottom of the list. Maybe with more time and another season, we'll warm up to Mrs. Bergener.

From peacekeeper in her first season to unrelenting complaints about a thrown cake and unfounded claims of anti-Semitism in her second (and last) season, we're not sure we've ever seen a quicker Real Housewives fall from grace than this one.

The America's Next Top Model veteran picked up a peach for seasons 11 and 12, but never really made an impression in the world of RHOA, aside from being pregnant for what felt like her entire tenure. Points for that epic read of Marlo Hampton while in Tokyo, though.

All we remember about Karent is that she was a dentist and none of her co-stars seemed to like her at all. Next!

This was a real person with a show on Bravo. We promise.

As one of RHONY's more recent one-and-dones, Jules' tenure was too brief to rank any higher. However, she sure did deliver her fair share of drama. 

So unnecessary they couldn't even get individual taglines.

Everything Amber and her husband Jim did seemed to reek of desperation. Plus, he was involved in more of the drama than she was. Not a good look.

Much like co-star Sara Al Madani, Nina exemplified a multidimensional, successful Arab woman who is blending modern life with centuries-old cultural traditions. She avoided most of the season one drama and was sometimes overshadowed by her co-stars' bigger, louder personalities.

Sara's positive, enlightened outlook on life was certainly pleasant, but didn't provide for much drama (besides that one time she offered co-star Caroline Brooks some not-so-well received parenting advice). However, the tech entrepreneur shattered stereotypes of what it means to be a modern Muslim woman in the Middle East and for that we applaud her. 

RHONJ's season 13 newbies certainly fit the mold of your typical Garden State Housewife and quickly found themselves in a season-long fight over literally nothing that Andy Cohen deemed pointless at the reunion. We'd love to see both return for season 14 for a chance to move up even higher on the list after an entertaining first go-around.

Larsa didn't make a big impression on season one before leaving the series. When Peacock revived RHOM for season four in 2021, her whole storyline was about being the ex-BFF of Kim Kardashian. (and selling sexy feet pics on OnlyFans...)

Ana followed up her one season as a Bravolebrity by competing on season 12 of Next Food Network Star in 2016. She didn't make it there, either.

Unfortunately, she was nothing more than a punching bag for Brandi Glanville. Plus, her tagline celebrating the icky notion that you can never be too skinny was gross.

Cindy was supposed to be the new Bethenny Frankel. Cindy was no Bethenny Frankel.

Brooks' gift to season one of RHODubai was a cameo from Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Phaedra Parks, who popped up on one episode to get all the tea on the co-stars' drama. However, Brooks did cause a lot of unnecessary drama during season one (much of which occurred while she was a little too tipsy).

Lisa was a perfectly fine Housewife, but we don't want just fine. Not when she's sharing the screen with the likes of NeNe and Sheree Whitfield.

All three season four newbies on RHOM are basically tied in our book, so we placed them all together. Dr. Nicole was smart and feisty and not afraid to go head-to-head with Miami O.G.s Larsa Pippen or Marysol Patton. We'd love to see her bring even more fire if/when Peacock returns with season five.

(E! and Bravo are both part of the NBCUniversal family)

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