Alexis Bellino Is Leaving ‘The Real Housewives’ To Focus (On Not Exploiting?) Her Family

Sad news Real Housewives enthusiasts. For those of you who get your Bravo kicks watching grown women behave like 7th graders, you’ll be down one truly dynamic heroine come Season eight of The Real Housewives of Orange County. Mother of three and dedicated Christian, Alexis Bellino, will not be returning to the botox and bleach.

In a statement to People magazine, the reality star explains that she’ll be departing our screens for her kids and husband:

“After three seasons of appearing on The Real Housewives of Orange County, I have made the difficult decision not to return for season 8,” she says. “Although Bravo made me a very generous offer and I’m thankful to have had this experience, I will be leaving the show behind to focus on my family and other opportunities.”

Bellino, whose time on the show included her joining the workforce as a local news correspondent, heated feuds and the revelation of a former struggle with an eating disorder, says she is ready to enter the next phase of her life away from the cameras.

“I am so grateful to have gone through this amazing journey and to have met so many incredible fans,” her statement continues. “My heart is at peace and I remain so excited for my future.”

Bravo apparently had nothing to add the mother’s statement. As long as those “other opportunities” include keeping her kids away from the glare of exploitative TV, I’d say those are some applaudable priorities. Alexis Couture must doing gangbusters along with her other personal endeavors, as you don’t sign your entire family onto a reality series without some major business incentives. The Real Housewives franchise has perhaps elevated her personal brand to a point where she doesn’t need to rely on being manipulated by producers and editing any longer. A win for the family — especially the children — all the way around.

(photo: JG / WENN.com)