Who Is RHOC’s Gretchen Rossi? The Bravo Star’s Relationship, Job, More
Some things can never be beat, like the early seasons of The Real Housewives of Orange County. Thankfully, history is going to repeat itself after Bravo announced Gretchen Rossi’s grand return for season 19 after her exit in 2013 – after filming wrapped for season 8.
It’s been more than one decade and 11 seasons later since Gretchen stepped away from RHOC, leading newer and younger viewers to wonder who she is and what impact she made on the show. Life & Style rounds up everything to know about Gretchen and fills in the blanks from her time spent away from reality TV.
When Was Gretchen Rossi on ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’?
Gretchen held a southern California orange between seasons 4 and 8. During her rookie season on the show, the reality star was engaged to late fiancé Jeff Beitzel. Their relationship raised eyebrows from some of her costars, especially Tamra Judge, as Jeff was significantly older than Gretchen and was extremely wealthy. Fans learned that he died following a cancer battle during the season 4 finale, which aired in February 2009.
By the time season 5 premiered, fans were introduced to Gretchen’s new boyfriend, Slade Smiley. Although they were always madly in love with each other, their relationship ruffled the feathers of other Housewives.
Besides Gretchen’s love life, she quickly became a fan-favorite because she never shied away from standing up to frenemy Tamra.
In 2021, Gretchen revealed that she and Tamra did not stay in contact following her season 8 departure.
“Thankfully, we don’t really live in the same community, so I don’t have to run into her or anything like that,” she told Us Weekly at the time. “I really don’t hold grudges, whatever, [let] bygones be bygones, I’m in such a better place in my life than I was dealing with all that on Housewives.”
Why Did Gretchen Rossi Leave ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’?
Although reports claimed that Gretchen was not asked back to return for season 9, she shared that she decided to walk away from the franchise when she realized the message she was sending to viewers.
“I remember the day that the impact of the show really hit me. This little 6 or 7 year old girl came up to me and was like, ‘Oh my gosh, Gretchen, I love you.’ And I’m looking at this little girl like, ‘What are you doing watching this show?’” Gretchen reflected during a 2024 appearance on the “Then God Moved” podcast. “And I literally had a conversation with this girl, saying, ‘Now, this is not how you treat other women. You don’t talk to people this way.’ So even though the fan support means the world to me — in that moment, I believe God put it on my heart that this isn’t the example that I want to be setting. That’s part of the reason that I left.”
What Is ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’ Star Gretchen Rossi’s Job?
Gretchen is a real estate agent. She held her title during her time on the show, but it wasn’t highlighted because she temporarily stopped working to take care of her late fiancé Jeff while he was on hospice during his battle with cancer.
Are The Real Housewives of Orange County’s Gretchen Rossi and Slade Smiley Still Together?
Gretchen left RHOC with a bang after proposing to Slade during the season 8 finale. The entrepreneur took Slade on a helicopter ride around Los Angeles before popping the big question on a rooftop.
The couple is still together, but have yet to make it down the aisle and say, “I do.”
Gretchen Rossi Welcomed a Daughter With Slade Smiley
That said, they took a major step in their relationship when Gretchen gave birth to their daughter, Skylar Gray Smiley, in July 2019.
Although Skylar is Gretchen’s only child, Slade previously welcomed late son, Grayson Arroyo-Smiley, with his former partner, Michelle Arroyo.
Grayson died on February 5, 2023, after a long battle with brain cancer and undergoing over 30 brain surgeries.
“He was an Angel on this earth and an incredible warrior … a warrior like no one has ever seen before,” Gretchen said of Grayson via Instagram following his heartbreaking death on February 7, 2023. “He fought everyday through his pain and discomfort to find joy in the smallest of things. He was always singing & dancing & laughing despite his circumstances.”
That said, Michelle claimed Gretchen and Slade weren’t active in Grayson’s life.
“Slade Smiley and Gretchen Rossi have grossly misrepresented the true nature of their relationship with Grayson, which was virtually nonexistent,” Michelle told People on February 23, 2023. “I will not stand by and permit them to benefit from my son’s death for who they were barely there when he was alive and needed his father.”
Gretchen Rossi Returns to ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’ For Season 19
Gretchen was announced to return to her roots on the silver screen as a “friend” during RHOC season 19.
She will star on the series alongside full-time Housewives Tamra, Shannon Storms Beador, Heather Dubrow, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti and Katie Ginella, most of whom welcomed with open arms on social media after Gretchen’s return was announced on January 29, 2025.
