Lydia McLaughlin’s leaving Real Housewives of Orange County, says it’s her decision

Lydia McLaughlin - Leaving Real Housewives of Orange County

After just one season, Lydia McLaughlin’s leaving Real Housewives of Orange County. The affable magazine entrepreneur told Us Weekly she and her husband came to the decision on their own, but it’s still bittersweet to leave the Bravo program.

“I compare it to breaking up with a boyfriend you know you’re not going to end up with — it’s hard, but overall you know you’re doing the right thing,” the 32-year-old mother said.

Lydia said her decision to leave isn’t an “epic story.” Rather, she is just ready to move on to the next stage of her career.

“I want to build my brand outside of the Housewives — I’ve always been really honest with the producers about that. I knew that while I was filming it that I probably wasn’t going to be doing it again,” Lydia said, adding she was really flattered when producers asked her to return.

Although she’s content to put Real Housewives of Orange County behind her, Lydia isn’t ruling out a return to television.

Lydia McLaughlin Husband - Doug McLaughlin

“I definitely have plans to continue to sparkle fairy dust and be a light! I want to develop our own reality show about our magazine and all the glitz and glamour involved with publishing it,” Lydia said of her work with husband Doug McLaughlin.

With Lydia leaving Real Housewives of Orange County, producers are tasked with replacing half of the cast: Alexis Bellino and Gretchen Rossi were fired by Bravo in September. From last season’s housewives, only Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Barney and Heather Dubrow remain.

Bravo did not comment on Lydia’s departure.


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