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Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo

Katie Ginella has been one of the most significant topics on season 19 of The Real Housewives of Orange County. This is mostly thanks to her issues with Shannon Beador. Now, Tamra Judge is slamming Shannon for her treatment of Katie and opening up about Teddi Mellencamp‘s health struggles.

Katie, 41, and Shannon, 61, started this season of RHOC on good terms. However, she later learned that the second season housewife had previously recorded her as she was having a meltdown at a photoshoot. To Katie’s defense, she says this was a voice note and that her husband was the only one to hear it. Shannon insists that Katie also played it for Alexis Bellino. 

Tamra spoke to US Weekly while attending Alexis’ bridal shower. When asked why Shannon is critical of Katie, she said, “I think she doesn’t really have a whole lot going on in her life right now.”

Tamra continued, “I think that she doesn’t have kids at home. She doesn’t have a husband or a boyfriend. I think she’s trying to make the best of what she’s got. I think it’s a little over the top.”

Tamra also reacted to the outbursts Shannon had toward Katie in New Orleans when she told the second-season housewife, “I can’t stand you.” She said, “The whole thing is a little bit ridiculous in my mind. Yeah, Katie did some things, and Katie repeated some things. But you’ll see how that plays out.”

In defense of Katie and the rumors that she speaks to bloggers, she said, “I honestly have not seen Katie since the last time we filmed together, but we definitely have DMed back and forth.”

She went on, “I know what it’s like to be an outsider with these girls and how hard it can be, and I think it’s backfiring. I think that the fans love her, and I think whenever there’s a gang up like that, it doesn’t go over well, and there’s more to come on that, so I can’t really say more.”

The RHOC star added, “Did she mess up? She did. Is she a terrible person who’s a danger to society? No.” Tamra also opened up to PEOPLE about the impact of filming the show as her friend, Teddi, was going through treatments for her cancer. She said, “One week into filming, Teddi got sick.”

Tamra continued explaining, “So it really put me in a tailspin. And it was a very difficult season.” She also spoke about how she and Teddi had previously traveled to New Orleans and stated that being back there with the cast made the trip even more emotional. 

According to her, “It was the worst thing. Just to try to wrap your brain around it. One of your best friends is fighting for their life, and you’re in the place the two of you were in together before she got sick.” 

She also reflected on briefly quitting RHOC, saying, “I had a hard time. I did walk away. I was like, ‘I just can’t do this.’ I don’t have it in me.’”

Tamra insisted she was fully planning to quit the show. She also discussed how the producers handled the situation, explaining, “They said, ‘Listen, we know that you’re going through a really hard time. Just take a week off. You need to just relax, and then make a decision.’”

She added, “I listened. I went and saw Teddi — who I just couldn’t see because I was so busy filming. And then I went to my house at Big Bear Lake, and just played in the snow with my dog and [my husband] Eddie. And just tried to have a good time and not think about it.”

Regarding why she didn’t quit, Tamra explained, “For the record, Teddi’s the one that told me to get my a** back into the game. She’s the one that said, ‘Listen, if I’m not a quitter, you’re not going to be a quitter.’ So I said, ‘Okay, I’m not a quitter, and I decided, you know, ultimately, let’s go back.’”

Tamra went on to say that she considers season 19 of RHOC a time of “growth and change.” She also stated that it gave her a sense of “knowing who my friends are, and knowing who my friends are not.” Additionally, she says that viewers are “definitely going to see a different side of me.”

Still, she insists that she’s evolving to become a better person for those in her life and not for the fans of the show.