People.com Entertainment TV Tamra Judge Confirms Return to' Real Housewives of Orange County' for Season 17 The Real Housewives of Orange County will feature the return of Tamra Judge in season 17, who rejoins the show after departing two years ago By Dave Quinn Dave Quinn Instagram Twitter Dave Quinn is an Editor for PEOPLE, working across a number of verticals including the Entertainment, Lifestyle and News teams. He joined in 2006 as a Writer/Reporter where he became known for his Bravo and Broadway exclusives across print and digital. Dave is the author of the No. 1 New York Times best-selling book, Not All Diamonds and Rosé: The Inside Story of the Real Housewives from the People Who Lived It. He's appeared on many broadcasts including ABC's Good Morning America, Bravo's Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, E!'s Daily Pop, NBC's New York Live and PEOPLE's own Reality Check, as well as a number of podcasts like Bitch Sesh, Everything Iconic, Watch What Crappens, Hot Off the Mess, Mention It All, and PEOPLE Every Day. Prior to working at PEOPLE, Dave was the chief Theater Reporter for NBC New York and co-host of Entertainment Weekly's acclaimed TV Recaps series. People Editorial Guidelines Published on July 20, 2022 10:23 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Tamra Judge will be back on The Real Housewives of Orange County — and that's not just her opinion! The reality star is returning to the hit Bravo series as a full-time Housewife for its upcoming 17th season, she confirmed on Wednesday during an episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. "The judge is back and drama is in session," she said, after taking an orange off the show's set. "Ladies and gentleman, it's true — Tamra Judge is returning to the Real Housewives of Orange County," said Cohen. Judge, 54, first joined RHOC back in 2007 during its third season, and was a mainstay on the show for the next 12 seasons before she was fired in January 2020, ahead of season 15. For more on Tamra Judge, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day. Fans have been calling for her to return to the series since, her name constantly coming up in conversations on social media, in the press, and on and Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. Jason Mendez/Getty Jennifer Armstrong and Noella Bergener Depart Real Housewives of Orange County After 1 Season Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Season 2 Trailer: Welcome to the Ex-Wives Club Throughout the years on the show, the outspoken, opinionated star gave RHOC some of its most memorable moments, including the show's first wine toss. She also led a three-episode spinoff series, Tamra's OC Wedding, which chronicled her June 2013 wedding to husband Eddie at the Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California. After departing the show, Judge remained focused on her booming businesses — Vena CBD and gym CUT Fitness — and began co-hosting a successful iHeartRadio podcast called Two Ts and a Pod, alongside Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Teddi Mellencamp Arroyave. Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic She's also mom to four children: sons Ryan Vieth, 36, and Spencer Barney 22, and daughter Sydney Barney, 23, and Sophia Barney, 16. Just this June, Judge appeared on Peacock's The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Ex-Wives Club. Former Housewives Dorinda Medley (Real Housewives of New York City), Jill Zarin (RHONY), Phaedra Parks (Real Housewives of Atlanta), Eva Marcille (RHOA), Brandi Glanville (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) and Taylor Armstrong (RHOBH) also star, as does Vicki Gunvalson — Judge's close friend and former RHOC costar. Tamra Judge Shares Sweet Birthday Tribute for Vicki Gunvalson on Her 60th Birthday: 'My Day One' Tommy Garcia/Bravo Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Judge's return to RHOC comes a year after Heather Dubrow returned to the series. She had previously starred on the show with Judge in seasons 7 through 11. Other Housewives last season were returning favorites Shannon Storms Beador, Gina Kirschenheiter, and Emily Simpson. Tamra Judge Urges Followers to Get Checked for Skin Cancer: 'Could Save Your Life New to the cast was Jennifer Armstrong and Noella Bergener, who have both since announced their departure from the series. Production on season 17 of RHOC is expected to begin next week. No airdate has been announced yet.