RHOC: Braunwyn Windham-Burke Denies Romance Rumors With Noella Bergener

Braunwyn Windham-Burke and Noella Bergener may have been close during their time together on The Real Housewives of Orange County, but Braunwyn has shut down speculations of any sort of romance between them. Joining Real Housewives as a dedicated mother-of-seven during RHOC season 14, Brauwnyn made history as the first LGBTQ cast member. Introducing her then-best friend Noella to the group that season, Braywyn referred to the 36-year-old as her “soul mate,” and frequently updated Bravo fans with photos of the two with their husbands, Sean Burke and James “Sweet James” Bergener.

Unfortunately, Braunwyn and Noella’s tight friendship ceased after RHOC season 15 wrapped. Before the cast list for RHOC season 16 was officially announced, Braunwyn and Noella were both dealing with sensitive issues: Braunwyn has been outspoken about her battles against alcoholism and homophobia since coming out as a lesbian in 2020, while James and Noella have been at odds since James filed for divorce last summer. After two seasons on RHOC, Braunwyn was fired alongside Kelly Dodd and Elizabeth Vargas, while Noella was promoted to the main cast. While Bravo fans were excited to see Noella return to television, the decision to feature her best friend after being let go did not sit well with Braunwyn, and the pair almost immediately drifted apart.

In a recent episode of Two T’s In A Pod, a podcast run by former RHOC star Tamra Judge and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Teddi Mellencamp, Braunwyn appeared as a special guest host. Temporarily taking over duties for Teddi, Brauwnyn addressed buzz that she and Noella, who is openly bisexual, may have had a fling. As transcribed by Page Six, Braunwyn firmly denied any former (or future) possibility of her and Noella as an item, saying, “I do want to make it very clear: we were never romantically involved.I’ve seen rumors like that.” Noella has not spoken about the rumors herself, although the star reportedly began dating again in January.

Besides confirming her lack of romance with Noella, Braunwyn also opened up about the deterioration of their once-close friendship. According to Braunwyn, it’s true that the star declined to speak with Noella after she was chosen to effectively replace her as a housewife. Explaining that the news led to Braunwyn “needing to take a break,” from their relationship because it “[hurt] so much,” Braunwyn eventually tried – and failed – to reestablish contact with Noella. Despite the distance between them, Braunwyn hopes that the two can one day reconnect, telling Tamra, “I do think when the show is over we can be friends. I miss her.”

Braunwyn isn’t the only one who wants to see a reunion with Noella, as fans are also hoping that the two women can put their differences aside once RHOC is put behind them. In the meantime, Bravo viewers have watched Noella get into arguments with Heather Dubrow and Gina Kirschenheiter. With Noella inserting herself into other co-stars’ drama like Shannon Beador, some fans and Real Housewives alumni believe that Noella’s first main season may end up being her last. While Braunwyn and Noella will never be more than friends, there’s still some hope that the former duo will become close once more.

The Real Housewives of Orange County airs every Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST on Bravo.

Sources: Two T’s In A Pod/Instagram, Page Six

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