Emotional Journeys on Real Housewives of Orange County

This season has been quite the rollercoaster for Judge Tamura. Not only is she grappling with her own long-standing issues, but she’s also faced with the heartbreaking news that her best friend, Teddy Mellencamp, has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. In a recent episode, tensions flared during a heated exchange with almost the entire cast, and it was clear that the stress was becoming overwhelming. Tamura announced her departure from the show amidst all the chaos.

While it seemed like Tamura would step away from the series during a cast trip in New Orleans—where she shared memorable moments with Mellencamp before the diagnosis—she made a comeback in this week’s episode to join Heather Dubrow, as seen in an exclusive clip.

Sitting across a restaurant table from Dubrow, Tamura expressed, “All I know is that I deal with a lot right now,” to which Dubrow replied with compassion, acknowledging everything Tamura is enduring.

In a confessional, Dubrow mentioned her sadness for Tamura, but it seems that Tamura may not be receptive to her support right now. “Now she’s telling me everything, so it’s all very sad and dark, and I haven’t left the door open for further conversation,” she reflected.

During lunch, Dubrow reassured Tamura, saying, “I’m glad you’re good. I want to be there for you. You can always call me or text me.” Before long, the two were sharing laughs, even joking about their attractive waitstaff.

So, what will happen with Tamura and the other women after the explosive dinner in New Orleans? We’ll find out when the episode airs tomorrow night. For now, despite some backlash, those close to her are standing by her side.

Reflecting on the situation, Tamura mentioned the challenges of being a supportive friend, especially when seeing her best friend go through such tough times. “Of course, I want to help her, protect her, take care of her. That was my goal,” she shared.

Catch new episodes of The Real Housewives of Orange County at 8 PM ET/PT on Thursdays, with the following day’s episodes available for streaming on Peacock.