Tamra Judge Credits ‘RHOC’ Exit Hint To Personal Struggles

The reality TV star addressed the situation on her “Two Ts In A Pod” podcast, telling co-host Teddi Mellencamp that she chose to prioritize her mental health over her career.

Although Tamra Judge did not get into the details, she noted her personal struggles had influenced her exit. The entertainer’s decision to leave comes months after she faced criticism for her “on the spectrum” announcement.

During the podcast episode, Judge confirmed she dropped out of the Bravo series after struggling with some “personal things.” She described the difficult experience as hitting a wall, noting there was so much going on in her life that she didn’t know how to cope.

“I just hit a wall, and I feel like I’m gonna be in a full depressed mode…I went into the season not knowing, not sure, very anxious, and just dealing with some stuff through therapy, and you know that really breaks you down to your lowest point,” Judge explained.

The TV personality noted the stress was overwhelming, claiming it felt like it was breaking her down. Eventually, she realized she couldn’t bring herself “out of the funk” and chose to prioritize her well-being over her commitments to Bravo. Judge, per Page Sixadded:

“When I get like this, my body just shuts down. It just completely shuts down. And I can just sit in one place and just stare at the wall for hours. And that’s how I feel, and it’s really hard to film like that when you feel like that.”

Judge refused to address the “personal things” she was dealing with in detail. However, she confirmed her co-host’s health issues had influenced her decision to quit. Mellencamp recently underwent surgery to remove several tumors from her brain, and doctors found more tumors in her body.

The “RHOC” star confessed that Mellencamp’s struggles weighed heavily on her mind and heart, sentiments Andy Cohen echoed on Monday, March 10. The TV host addressed Judge’s exit during his “Andy Cohen Live” show, stressing that he couldn’t comment on what happened while they were filming.

However, he indirectly mentioned Mellencamp’s health issues, saying, “I guess the only thing that is at the top of my mind is that one of her best friends is going through an incredibly intense health crisis. So, maybe keep that in mind.”

Days before confirming she left the reality TV series, The Blast reported that Judge had teased fans about her exit with a cryptic post. She hinted at her decision to leave Bravo on her Instagram Story, writing:

“IT WAS A LONG RUN! WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU REAL PROBLEMS THIS REALITY SH– DOESN’T MAKE SENSE. PEACE OUT (peace sign emoji) IM OUT.”

Judge’s post came five months after she faced backlash for her “on the spectrum” diagnosis. She addressed the criticism in a lengthy post, confessing that the hate she received for sharing the health update was too much for her to handle.

“My mental health is just not strong enough where I can be judged and hated on right now. Yes, I’m admitting I’m weak. And I’m okay with that right now,” Judge shared. On that note, she vowed to move forward more privately until she regained “a better mental space.”

Judge reflected on her “on the spectrum” diagnosis, noting it was discovered after suffering from “intrusive thoughts” and insecurities. “I even considered just being admitted into a mental health facility,” she shared, claiming she didn’t even want to leave home.

She finally understood the cause of her symptoms following a lengthy conversation with her therapist, who noted her condition stemmed from being “on the spectrum.” Judge stated she did not fully understand the diagnosis, and her therapist also agreed that more evaluation was needed.

However, Judge ended up blurting out her diagnosis to fans on her podcast because she was feeling vulnerable. She stated that she initially wanted to cut off that part during the episode’s edit but left it because she was used to being honest with fans.

The factors responsible for Judge’s exit might include her longtime beef with co-star Gretchen Rossi.The Blast shared that a source claimed the women, famous for their fights in previous seasons, had gotten into another row while filming scenes for the show’s season 19.

The insider, like Cohen, stressed that they could not reveal the behind-the-scenes details. However, they noted, “What I can say with certainty is there was a huge fight between Tamra and Gretchen (Rossi) that led Tamra to quit.”

Judge’s exit marks the second time she has left the “RHOC” series. Bravo reportedly fired her in 2020 after she stayed as a main cast member for twelve seasons. She left on the show’s 14th season but made a shocking return in 2022 for season 17th.

Will Tamra Judge share more details about her exit from the Bravo show, or do fans have to wait for the new season to get all the tea?