Gina Kirschenheiter will be cheering on Shannon Beador.
The 40-year-old “Real Housewives of Orange County” star said on Page Six’s “Virtual Reality” podcast that co-star Beador, 60, is holding space for her while he explores a new relationship with alcohol following his high-profile DUI.
“I think everyone has a different relationship with alcohol,” Kirschenheiter explained, calling Bieder’s actions a “social experiment” as the “RHOC” veteran figures out her future with alcohol.
“It’s good that Shannon can at least see that. If she’s in a place where she’s like, ‘Guys, I’m going to admit that I haven’t had a good relationship with alcohol, and now I want to try and see if I can drink responsibly and socially,’ then she has the right to do that,” the real estate agent elaborates.
As previously reported, Beader was arrested in September 2023 in Newport Beach, California, for crashing his car into a house while driving under the influence.
Beader said on the reality show that since the incident, she now only has two alcoholic drinks when she goes out.
The change came after she chose to prioritize her health by spending time in a “behavioral health facility that included alcohol.”
During the Season 18 premiere of “RHOC,” Kirschenheiter expressed her belief that Bieder should have gone into rehab, but now feels differently.
“This is her journey and I’m not going to pressure people. [to stop drinking] “Because that’s not going to work,” she says, “She has to figure it out for herself, and I’m here to support her through it.”
Kirschenheiter, meanwhile, eventually got sober after being arrested for drunk driving in 2019.
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“My relationship with alcohol and the way I deal with it is [Beador’s]The “Orange Country” podcast host emphasizes.
“This just means I’m here, drinking or not, as a friend and someone who supports her. I’m not pushing her to do what I did or how I did it. Everyone is different.”
Kirschenheiter and Bieder were at odds for much of season 17 of “RHOC” last year but made amends when cameras returned for the latest installment.
Kirschenheiter said her feelings changed after Bieder “took responsibility” for her drunk driving and criticized her for hurtful comments during several seasons of run-ins with the law.
“There were moments this season when I had doubts. [Beador’s personal growth] And I examined her,” she told Virtual Reality-Tea.
“And I think she’s given me permission to do that, and she understands that it all comes from love, so we have a really good relationship.”
“The Real Housewives of Orange County” airs every Thursday at 9 pm ET on Bravo.
