'Real Housewives of Orange County': Alexis Bellino, O.C.'s newest housewife

Meet Alexis Bellino. The 32-year-old socialite joins the ranks of the heavily bronzed ladies of "The Real Housewives of Orange County." And she's actually a housewife! Alexis is a stay-at-home mom to three children and lives in Newport Beach with her husband, Jim Bellino, a self-made entrepreneur. Originally from the small town of Hannibul, Mont., Alexis will officially earn her rite of passage tonight when she has her first housewife showdown with ... Vicki, naturally. Can't wait until tonight for a dose of drama in your Housewives diet? You've come to the right place. I managed to snag a few minutes over the phone with Alexis. Here's what she has to say about being the newest housewife, how "real" the show is, and just how awkward that dinner scene was with Tamra and Simon.

Give 'Housewives' fans a quick bio.

I’m a stay-at-home mom of three. Very happily married. We’re a Christian family who just tries to live closer to God and do things the right way … but we’re people, and we make mistakes. And I like to work out a lot.

What’s it like to be the newest housewife?

It’s been such an amazing experience. There’s no other word to describe it because the opportunities that have come about and just the chance to be with these four girls that I felt like I knew before because we watched the show so much. It’s just been really a dream. I felt like I already knew Tamra and Gretchen and Vicki and Lynne because I watched it last season. I watched the reruns … and I watched it again.  So it felt like we were old friends.

It seems like everyone seems to know everyone in these circles. Had you seen the Housewives out at any events in Orange County?

Gretchen and I have a mutual friend. I’d actually only met her twice before joining the show. Jeana and my husband had done a couple of business deals together; so I knew her from that and I saw her out as well.

Were you one of the dozens of Housewives-in-training who flocked to South Coast Plaza to audition?

I wasn’t. We met Jeana for dinner one night, and she was like "How are you guys? I hope you don’t mind. I turned in your name to producers. They’re casting now for this season. You’re probably going to get a call tomorrow." And sure enough, I got a call the next morning.

You mentioned you were a viewer of the series. What did you like about it, and why did you decide to become part of it?

I mean  … it’s comical. It’s lighthearted and fun but yet still keeps that dramatic feel. It’s sort of like renting a movie. You sort of know where the movie is going to go. It’s a movie. With this, it was just always fun to watch because you never know what road their life was going to take or what’s going to happen next. So we laughed, we felt bad for the … I just felt like I knew them. My husband and I are both very much into reality shows. It was different to no longer be the viewer.

As a viewer, who was your favorite Housewife?

I don’t really know if I had a favorite at the time. I mean, I like Gretchen because we had seen each other a couple of times, and she was fun. But I don’t think I necessarily had a favorite. I was just a fan of the show in general.

So you‘re not quite part of the gated community of Coto de Caza. But how long have you lived in Orange County?

I’ve lived here for about five or six years.

What’s it been like interacting with the ladies?

It’s really crazy. But they definitely are like what you see on TV pretty much. We filmed from June through September.  It’s reality. It’s true. I think that … what makes reality so interesting is that it takes that certain characteristic someone has in their life and it plays on that for the whole season and so you really do see … I mean, what you see is what you get. When you’re out hanging out with them — we take trips together, we go to dinner together — It’s the same kind of person you see that’s represented in the show.

Touching on that … in previews for tonight’s episode we see that you and Vicki don’t really click. What’s the dynamic there?

You know what’s really strange about Vicki and my relationship — or what I can say on my behalf — is that I like her. I really like her. I think she’s a passionate, hard-working admirable person because she has a drive to succeed, and it’s just unfortunate that we butted heads.  But I think we were both ladies. We said our peace, and we get along when we all get together.  We may not call each other and say, "Hey, how are you?"— we don’t have that kind of a friendship. But we get along. And we might butt heads again … but that’s just the way the world works.

In last week’s episode, we see you having dinner with Tamra and Simon —

Jim bought a car from Simon, and so we kind of knew each other through that and we met for dinner. We clicked. Tamra has a 3-year-old, and she has other children too. Tamra’s just such a fun, outgoing … just funny person.

But what about the bickering between Tamra and Simon? Didn’t it make you feel a little uncomfortable?

Well, you only saw about one minute of a two-hour dinner. We didn’t stop laughing that entire dinner. My stomach — we went home and my stomach hurt because we were just taking and laughing so hard that entire dinner.  At that one point, it did get a little bit serious. I think it was just them being sarcastic and joking with each other. But you know, when you joke, there’s always a bit of truth in it. The cameras played it up, and that’s just the way it was for that split second. But none of us went home thinking, "Oh my gosh, I can’t believe that happened with Simon and Tamra." Or "Alexis is such a crazy woman for buttering her husband’s bread." It wasn’t like that.

Do you still interact with the ladies now that you’re no longer shooting?

Yes. Gretchen and Tamra, I have to honestly say, are dear friends of mine.  We do call each other even when we’re not filming — we don’t all three get together, of course.

So what sets you apart from the other Housewives?

I think my traditional marriage. My Christian values. I talk about God almost every day of my life. I don’t think there’s a day that goes by that I don’t mention him or bring him up in a conversation or say things about Jesus. And then, just the fact that I stay at home and spend a lot of time with my kids, which Tamra does too.

And what do you hope to get out of the show?

I just want to tell my story. I just want people to see that you can be a mom that stays at home, who cooks meals and goes to the grocery store and runs her kids to class yet you can still take care of yourself and put your God and your marriage first, because if either of those two start to fail then your kids are gonna be from a broken home.

Did you have any reservations about exposing your life for all to see?

There really wasn’t. I don’t feel like I have anything to hide. I didn’t have any reservations. If people find it funny or find that they relate to me, then that’s awesome.

Word association time. Describe your fellow Housewives in one word.

Vicki:

Workaholic

Tamra:

Witty

Gretchen:

Bubbly

Lynne:

Easygoing

Jeana: 

(laughs) Oh, my gosh. What is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of Jeana? Nice, I guess. I don’t know.

Do you still keep in contact with Jeana?

I don’t know what happened with our friendship, but we don’t talk that much.

-- Yvonne Villarreal

Photo: Alexis Bellino. Credit: Bravo.

Comments

[Maria]

Alexis and her husband are disgusting in their hypocrisy. He talks about how his wife's body isn't to be on show for other men (at the La Perla store) but then her giant fake boobs are hanging out of her dress while she is at a restaurant and she is wearing a tiny bikini in front of Tamra's husband. She professes to be such a Christian and traditional stay at home mom but has nannies do everything for her kids. She is shown going to church in a dress that ends at her thighs and wearing 4" wedge shoes. Yes, modesty is not part of her repertoire obviously.

If she were simply a Housewife of OC it would be OK b/c they all are fake, but the fact that she goes on about her traditional values and Christian morality makes me wanna puke.

[nicole]

I really like Alexis. She tells it like it is. She knows what every man desires in turn she knows how to keep her man. There are so many young, beautiful woman out there, so why would you let yourself turn into something that would send your husband running into another beautiful woman's arms?? And women wonder why their husbands have affairs. More than half of the US is unhealthy, overweight, and diabetic!! And more than half of the repsonses to this post are coming from those women! Its all jealousy. Admit it ladies. Of the women that have some sort of ambition in life, if you had the time and money that she has, you would be doing exactly what she is doing. Eating healthy, working out....taking care of yourself!! Is there anything wrong with working hard at taking care of yourself, let alone the rest of your family? If you work that hard at it, show it off! My goodness. There are disgusting people that show much more than she has. It was a bikini for crying out loud. For the ones that dont have the ambition, if you had the time and money that she has, you would probably being eating it all up. Litterally. If you dont have ambition, you dont have beauty. In other words, if you dont work hard at what you do, you wont like what has become of it. This could be your job, marriage, kids, finances, and yourself.
Stop bashing Alexis like she is the worst person in the world for taking awesome care of her body. Theres so many overweight, obese, unhealthy, diabetic people that are consuming the US, and the numbers are growing.

[Sally]

Seriously Alexis? You and your husband are UGLY!!!! I'm sorry but, it is what it is. I cannot believe that you went all Getto over another women "supposedly" hitting on your UGLY man,PLEASE!!!!!!! If you weren't so insecure you would not have reacted like you did. And as for your UGLY husband, why did he keep saying how many carats the UGLY necklace he gave you had?! People that have money do not talk about how many carats or how much things cost. You and your husband are sooooo GETTO!!!!!!

[ali]

As a born again Christian "Please don't insult my Lord and Savior," a true Christian would not use the language you and your husband use, dress with everything hanging out and be on a show of this nature. If viewers want to see a true Christian family watch the Duggars on TLC. I will no longer watch this show as long as hypocrists are on this show.

[jules]

I have the same life as you do. I also have a great husband, but myyy husband does not make me look stupid, ask him to stop doing that or live with yourself looking that way. This is coming from the heart of a lady who has a great man as well

[Angie]

I am a Christian as well. Your comment "Of course I am high-maintance, look at me." Is not a very Christian like. I think you are over the top. You spend far to much time worry about appearances. As a Christian people should know us by our heart (our actions and behaviors) not by our looks and "stuff". Why dont you take off half your make up, spend less time and money on your clothes, hair, car, nanny(s) (good lord in heaven you don't work why in the world do you need 2 nannies?) and house.....and spend it with your family, kids, and giving back to the community. Your obviously financially blessed...so why not give back. The amount you spend on one outfit could probably pay for clothes for a family of four for an entire year. No, we are not poor and have a significant amount of money in the bank and live in a nice home. But, no one would know that because we live modestly and would rather bless others than to spend it on status and impressing people.

From one Christian to another. Spend more time giving then spending.
I PRAY I AM WRONG AND YOU DO....BUT THE SHOW JUST EDITS THE GIVING SIDE OF YOU OUT.

Forgive me, if the show is misrepresenting you and I am completing out of line.

Respectfully,
Angie

[Kristina]

Ive been attending church my entire life. And in the 25 years, I have never met a christian woman with double d fake boobs who prances around in tiny tight outfits. Her husband also claims to be a christian, yet he allows his wife to show off her goods to the entire world. They also go out and drink, which is not allowed in christianity. It makes me sad that these people are claiming to be good christians. They are setting a horrible example. No wonder the muslims think so poorly of christianity. Its because of people like this.

[MAIowa]

The one thing i have to say about Alexis, is she says she is a stay at home mom, i don't know very many stay at home moms that TAKE care of their kids with no help from 2 nannies and a cleaning lady. SO when she says she works hard, the only thing i see her working hard to do is look good, her hair, makeup, tanning, working out and going out to dinner. The only thing i see her doing is taking care of her husband. So i would like to see what a "real day" would be like for her if she didn't have all the help.

[KMC]

Alexis, you are such a hypocrite, you have 2, not 1, 2 nannies who are "raising" you children. You are nothing but "plastic and silicone", dress like a hoochie momma and had the gall to criticize Gretchen on the boat in Ft. Lauderdale when she put some fake boobs in her dress! What a flippin joke. Stop talking the talk and begin to walk the walk!

[hmmmm]

do you have editors? that word you want is 'piece,' not 'peace'

you don't say your peace! lol

[hmmmm]

i find alexis' implants disgusting

as a busty woman, i hate poseurs

plus, she conveniently was 'friends' with whoever she could be

ick

[Linda David]

I can't stand Alex or her husband..she is a stay at home mom and still needs nannies to take care of her kids, give me a break. I wrked and took care of my kids and houseAnd her husband, what a piece of work, if it wasn't for his money she wouldn't be with him. I can't stand him all he dose is talk about how much everything cost, who cares. She's the puppet and he's the puppet master.

[KELLY]

I HAT ALEXIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!SHE IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOUGLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jane]

why did alexis get a boob job when she has no hips and no butt?? nothing is matching with her boobs??? and she wants people to look at her poorly proportioned body?

[Janeen]

It is digusting how her husband loves to place $$ on everything he gets, gives, does, It is digusting the way he treats the people who work in restaurants and hotels, as if they are their to kiss his butt. Wonderful example of a Christian he is. NOT

[Alexa watler]

Well Alex. Woman
You need 3 nanny to take care of your kids. Wow . That's very sad.

[jessica]

Shes from Hannibal, MO. Research FAIL.

[renee cox]

alexis ..1st i want to say that you are wonderful by not being shy about telling the world that you believe in God and are proud of it. this is great ! i have much respect for you, as i am sure others do. compaired to other housewifes, you are above them all...do me a hige favor and ... pleasse tell me who does your hair coloring/ high lights ??? your hair is beautiful. i have to know !!! i live in nashville,tn and used to fly out to santa monica to get my hair done. but lost that person, cant find him anymore. plus he was good like the 1st 2 times , then after that was not so good. you have so many high lights, so beautiful. i so HOPE that you will tell me, so i can try and make an appt with whom ever it is ... i am 48 years old and having a very hard time in my life right now, and sure would app the info.

[renee cox]

i sooo hope that you will answer me on my question, alexis..... with who does your hair color/ high lights ? your hair always looks so neat too. other housewifes hair looks old and sloppy .. but not yours. it looks absolutly beautiful. will you give me the chance to have my hair look like that ? please ? you can email me at reneecox111@aol.com if you would rather not post it. just please please please ... i live in nashville,tn .. and will fly just to get my hair done, like yours .. please ?? if you did read this thank you so much ..? sincerely ... renee cox

[etaz]

i think that was so wonderful for vicki and don to get away and renew there vows woo hoo for you vicki