Season 19 of The Real Housewives of Orange County is off to a rocky start for Katie Ginella. The drama from last season picks up with the revelation that Katie allegedly shared a private message she received from Emily Simpson’s former nanny about Heather Dubrow to a podcaster. The rest of the cast felt Katie crossed a line by dragging their children into the group’s ongoing feud.

In Episode 2, Katie finds herself in the dog house for what could be an even bigger act of betrayal. Katie had secretly recorded Shannon Storms Beador having a “meltdown” during the cast galley shoot last season. When Shannon learns about this, she is mortified and, of course, confronts Katie. But, will Shannon end up in a courtroom with Katie for her actions?

Would Shannon Storms Beador Sue Katie Ginella For Secretly Recording Her?

Things are heating up in Orange County. In Episode 2 of RHOC Season 19, Shannon Storms Beador learned that Katie Ginella did the unthinkable by secretly recording her having a “meltdown” during a cast photoshoot last season. To make matters worse, Katie allegedly shared the footage with Alexis Bellino, right in the midst of Shannon’s ongoing legal battle with her ex, John Janssen, who also happens to be Alexis’ fiancé.

In a recent interview with Page Six’s Virtual Reali-Tea, Shannon was asked if she would pursue legal action against Katie as she shared that it was unlawful for someone to record another person without their consent in the state of California.

“No, I mean, enough with the lawsuits,” Shannon shared with a laugh.

Shannon Beador is no stranger to legal drama. Just last year, her ex, John Janssen, sued her, claiming he had loaned her thousands of dollars to pay for a facelift, with the understanding she would repay him with interest. Shannon, however, maintained the money was a gift. The lawsuit became a major storyline during RHOC Season 18. By Season 19, Shannon revealed the case had been closed after she wired John $60,000 in November 2024, a settlement he accepted.

While Shannon has every reason to be upset with Katie, taking legal action over the secret recording might be an extreme step. Still, the incident was enough to cause a complete fallout between the two, and understandably so. During her conversation with Page Six, she shared how she had Katie’s back when the other women did not, following last season’s scandal involving Katie giving information to bloggers.

“I was trying to give what I thought was sound advice to help her get in a better place with some of the women, but … the bottom line is that there was no good intention for her to record me,” Shannon shared.

Did Katie Take Responsibility For Recording Shannon And Sharing It With Alexis Bellino?

Shannon learned that Katie had secretly recorded her during Episode 2, when the cast arrived at Katie’s hot pot outing. Gina Kirschenheiter told the group about what Katie had done, after having learned it from Tamra Judge. Shannon confronted Katie but mostly kept her cool despite learning that Alexis might have also listened in on the video recording.

In Episode 3, Katie meets with Gina, and shares that she’s been on an “apology tour.” Katie’s apologized to Emily for sharing information with a podcaster, and is now seeking forgiveness with Shannon — but it won’t be that easy. An apology text written by Katie to Shannon is then shown, and it reads:

“I feel terrible. Mortified … I regret the recording. And telling Alexis.”

Gina tells her that recording Shannon without her knowledge was “violating,” but believes Shannon “would get over it.” Boy, was she wrong. While Shannon had lunch with Heather Dubrow and Jennifer Pedranti, she shares the text, but it reads that Katie only allowed her husband to hear it, and no one else. Heather then admits she called Alexis after the hot pot outing and was told that she did in fact, hear the recording.

“I don’t think there’s any coming back. Katie has crossed so many lines,” Heather tells Shannon.

Shannon Calls Katie “Worse Than Alexis Bellino” In Intense Confrontation

The end of the episode sees everyone gathered at Heather’s belated birthday party. Jennifer gives Katie a push to talk to Shannon and apologize for the recording. “I did not mean to hurt you in any way,” Katie begins. “I have no excuse.” But, Shannon isn’t accepting her apology, accusing Katie of making up “excuses.”

“What you did is illegal,” Shannon says. Katie then appeared to defend recording Shannon being “upset” that day, which only made Shannon more irate. “I’ve gone to the bottom of the barrel with these women, never once has anyone recorded me behind my back,” Shannon adds, with Katie stating that she never showed Alexis the recording, but that was a lie.

As Gina and Jennifer go over to the women to check on them, Shannon gives Katie one final blow: “I will never, ever speak to you again. You are the most evil, evil person I have ever met … This girl, worst than Alexis Bellino, worst than Tamra Judge. We’re done.”

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight ahead of the RHOC Season 19 premiere, Shannon reflected on how her relationship with Katie Ginella quickly shifted. She explained that she had stood up for Katie last season because she knew what it felt like to be the one person targeted by the group. But despite her words, Shannon’s facial expressions made it clear—things between them had definitely changed.

“Let me tell ya, if you’re questioning Katie now, just keep tuning in,” Shannon told the host. “A boundary was crossed that literally blindsided me … It still shocks me.” When asked about Katie not being on the final group trip this season, the host then asks Shannon if there is “a place for her in this group moving forward.” Shannon quickly answered, “No.”

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