Adrienne Maloof finally speaks out about RHOBH reunion absence

Although Adrienne Maloof had announced she would not be returning for the fourth season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, it was assumed she would still appear at the Season 3 Reunion to defend herself against what the other cast members might say. Bravo executive and reunion host Andy Cohen made the same assumption and has stated he is “not pleased” that Adrienne skipped the reunion because she let the ladies have the last word on the entire season. Though there has been numerous reports and a great deal of speculation as to why Adrienne did not attend, there has been no official word from her on the matter. Until now!

Adrienne spoke with Celebuzz and confirmed rumors that she was under a “gag order” by the court not to discuss her marriage, divorce, and children. “Since that was the whole season there wasn’t really much to talk about,” Adrienne says. “And knowing me being so passionate about my family and my kids, I didn’t trust myself, because I have that fiery instinct and I just didn’t want to take that chance.”

Adrienne added, “I’m just starting new and fresh and living with some dignity.”

This season’s story-line centered on Brandi Glanville spilling the beans that Adrienne had used a surrogate to carry her twin boys. Adrienne’s separation from ex-husband Paul Nassif was announced on last week’s episode of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and “friend of the ‘wives,” Faye Resnick, asserted that the stress Brandi had caused the couple by divulging their surrogacy secret was responsible for their divorce.

It was Adrienne’s divorce from Paul and the eventual custody agreement that prevents her from talking about her marriage, divorce, and children. (I’m sure that was a huge bargaining chip for her.) Adrienne has not said when, if ever, she will be allowed to discuss the topics publicly.

Adrienne, who has been with the show since season one, also discussed her decision to not return next season: “It was time to go… It was time to exit and the timing in life is everything and that’s been the way it has been through my family business. So to me, this was the right time.”

Don’t feel too bad for her, though: Adrienne has plenty of other things going on in her personal life besides Real Housewives. Despite reports that the 51-year-old mother of three had broken up with her 32-year-old boyfriend, Sean Stewart (son of singer Rod Stewart), Sean was seen with a lingerie-clad Adrienne at Perez Hilton’s pajama-themed 35th birthday party, where the interview with Celebuzz was conducted.

Professionally, Adrienne is busy, too: in addition to her vodka line, Zing (the product’s launch party was shown on last week’s episode), Adrienne’s new skincare line is coming out in September. Adrienne had discussed the skincare line on this season of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, but had said that it was a joint venture for her and her now ex-husband, Paul. Adrienne didn’t expand on whether or not Paul would still be involved with the skincare line, but considering their acrimonious divorce that was just finalized in November, I’m going to guess he is not.

Adrienne also told Celebuzz, “I have the jewelry line as well. And I’m co-producing a movie coming out with Dreamworks based on a true story about a friend of mine.”

Fingers crossed it’s called O.J. and Me: The Faye Resnick Story!

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season finale airs tonight at 8/7c and the Season 3 Reunion Part One airs right after, at 9/8c, on Bravo.

(Photo credit: Ryan/WENN.com)