Gretchen Rossi Returns to RHOC: Watch Her Most Iconic Moments

Gretchen Rossi is back in Bravo land — and she’s bringing the drama, the glam, and the gloss. 

After taking some time away from the Real Housewives of Orange County scene, Gretchen returns to the franchise in Season 19 as a friend of the cast. Whether you’re a longtime RHOC loyalist or a newcomer curious about the woman behind the big lashes and bigger controversies, we’ve got you covered. 

Before Gretchen makes her anticipated return to RHOC, what better way to prepare than by revisiting her classic RHOC moments? Check out these essential episodes featuring her most unforgettable storylines, from her emotional debut in Season 4 to her rollercoaster romance with Slade to headline-making feuds with Tamra, and everything in between. 

Grab your wine, press play, and relive the rise, reign, and return of Gretchen Rossi.

Season 4: Welcome to the O.C., Gretchen

Episode 1 - “Are They for Real?”

Bravo's RHOC welcomes a new housewife to the block, 30-year-old blond bombshell Gretchen Rossi. Gretchen meets with realtor Jeana Keough to view a home in Coto with her fiancé, Jeff. Jeff is 23 years older than Gretchen, has been married and divorced five times, has four adult children, and is very rich. Jeff also has acute Leukemia. Jeff proposed to Gretchen from his hospital bed just months after they began dating. Later, Jeana decides to gather all the ladies for a private designer label trunk show at her house. She invites her client, Gretchen, to meet the other ladies. Gretchen fields heated questions about whether or not she is a "gold digger" and if her breasts are real or fake. 

Stream The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 4, Episode 1 on Peacock.

Episode 6 - “Cut!”  

Gretchen asks Jeff's children to come out from Michigan and rotate visits to their father's bedside. Gretchen takes advantage of the kids' visit to spend a day in Hollywood and celebrate the success of her friend Jo De la Rosa. Before the night is over, Tamra and Gretchen square off over Gretchen's treatment of her ailing fiancé. This incident completely derails their budding friendship. 

Stream The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 4, Episode 6 on Peacock. 

Episode 8 - “Naked Wasted” 

Gretchen Rossi is taking care of her gravely ill fiancé, Jeff, and reaches the end of her emotional rope. With Simon's urging, Tamra takes an etiquette class and hires a top chef to prepare a formal seven-course dinner for all the housewives, which includes premium tequila tasting. When the tequila shots are served, Tamra and Vicki set Gretchen up for a major fall. 

Stream The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 4, Episode 8 on Peacock.

Episode 9 - “Why Are You Being So Mean to Me”  

With Tamra's formal seven-course dinner winding down, Tamra's son Ryan sees an opportunity to make his move on a very drunk Gretchen Rossi, leaving the rest of the ladies to worry and wonder about Gretchen's well-being.

Stream The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 4, Episode 9 on Peacock.

Episode 13 - “Bling Bling”  

Tamra and Gretchen get into a heated confrontation and air out their grievances with one another.

Stream The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 4, Episode 13 on Peacock.

Season 5: Reunion Revelations

Episodes 16 and 17 - “Reunion Special: Part 1 & 2” 

Gretchen and Tamra butt heads as they each air their grievances with one another. Tamra brings up rumors about Slade. Gretchen talks about her future with Slade.

Stream The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 5, Episode 16 and 17 on Peacock.

Season 6: Tabloid Troubles & Shopping Scandals

Episode 6 - “Amped Blondes and Evil Eyes”  

Tamra decides to throw a shopping party and invite all the ladies, even Gretchen. But things take a turn for the worse when Gretchen has a few too many drinks and starts acting out of line.  

Stream The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 6, Episode 6 on Peacock.

Episode 9 - “Whine Pairings” 

Press comes out about Slade not paying child support, and Tamra digs into the news. Gretchen makes digs at Eddie. 

Stream The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 6, Episode 9 on Peacock.

Episode 15 - “Reunion: Part 2”  

Slade joins the reunion to explain the current press about him. Tamra and Slade go head-to-head.

Stream The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 6, Episode 15 on Peacock.

Season 7: From Feuds to Friends (Sort of)

Episode 1 - “Stranger Things Have Happened”  

Tamra and Gretchen meet to bury the hatchet once and for all.  

Stream The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 7, Episode 1 on Peacock.

Episode 17 - “Monkey Business”

The tension in Costa Rica heats up, but Tamra, Vicki, Gretchen,  and Heather have fun on the beach. 

Stream The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 7, Episode 17 on Peacock.

Episode 20 - “Are You in or Out?”  

The drama continues at Heather’s opulent party in this season finale. Tamra and Gretchen commemorate their new friendship with a heartfelt gift. 

Stream The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 7, Episode 20 on Peacock.

Season 8: Tears, Tiaras, and Talk of Malibu Country

Episode 18 - Cold Shoulders  

In Part 2 of Tamra's Mexican bachelorette extravaganza, she reveals details of her past to Gretchen. The trip goes from crazy to nuts when Mexican strippers show up.  

Stream The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 8, Episode 18 on Peacock. 

Episode 19 - “Reunion: Part One”  

Tamra expresses her distrust of Gretchen, and Tamra brings up Gretchen’s infidelity with Jeff. Gretchen talks about Jo, Slade’s ex, saying she was breaking girl code.  

Stream The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 8, Episode 19 on Peacock.

Episode 20 - ”Reunion: Part Two” 

Gretchen faces off against the other ladies about Tamra's wedding dress shopping and the accusation that Gretchen tried to force Alexis out of the festivities. Heather confronts Gretchen about what really happened behind the scenes with the Malibu Country auditions, and Gretchen is left in tears when the other ladies make shocking accusations about her engagement to Slade. 

Stream The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 8, Episode 20 on Peacock.

Catch Gretchen’s return when The Real Housewives of Orange County  Season 19 premieres on Bravo with episodes streaming next day on Peacock, because in Orange County, no grudge stays buried forever.