Kelly Dodd Confirms She Is Not Returning for Season 16 of 'RHOC'

Earlier this year, dozens of viewers called for Kelly Dodd's removal from The Real Housewives of Orange County — and even the reality star herself was convinced that her contract would not be renewed. 

In April 2020, Kelly came under controversy for describing the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as "God's way of thinning the herd." In October 2020, she garnered criticism for attending her bridal shower in a "Drunk Wives Matter" hat. 

She seemingly also tried to downplay the devastating impacts of substance abuse by accusing Braunwyn Windham-Burke of feigning alcoholism. 

Shortly after Season 15 concluded, Kelly ignited further controversy after she posted videos of her dining out with a group of people outside of her household. 

The mom of one was let go from water company Positive Beverage after the reunions aired as well.  

So, after Positive Beverage fired her, did Kelly Dodd get fired from RHOC too?

A Bravo rep recently confirmed to Page Six that Kelly's contract was not renewed for the upcoming 16th season.

The reality star made a statement on social media following the news of her contract not being renewed.

"The last five years have been an amazing experience. The next five years will be even better. I'm so grateful for all the love and support and so excited about the future #RHOC," she wrote.

Though the Housewife is not returning for another season, Kelly was reportedly prepared to be let go and previously acknowledged that her time on the reality series might be coming to an end. 

Earlier this year, after a fan commented that Bravo "better not fire" Kelly, she responded, "It's likely to happen."

A source close to Kelly told E! News in February that the Arizona native was "bracing" to be released from the show.

Some believed that her termination was going to be announced on an episode of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, which aired in December of 2020. The rumors turned out to be false. 

On that episode of WWHL, however, Kelly did address her previous controversies.

The star issued an apology for making controversial remarks about the COVID-19 pandemic, acknowledging that she shouldn't have described it as "God's way of thinning the herd" on social media.

"Of course I regret saying that. ... At the time it was a question, like, 'Why are all these people dying?' I didn't realize ... it was a question ... 'Why do pandemics happen like this? Is it God's way of thinning the herd?'" Kelly told show host Andy Cohen. 

"It was a stupid thing for me to say, it was insensitive, and I apologize if I hurt or offended anybody, [because] it wasn't really my intention. I got freaked out about it. In hindsight it was the stupidest thing I've ever said," Kelly added. 

In the past, she also stirred up trouble by claiming that nobody in Orange County, Calif., was dying from the coronavirus. She also criticized the idea of having to wear masks in public to protect others. 

To make matters worse, Kelly's mother, Bobbi Meza, was admitted to an intensive care unit after contracting COVID-19 in the fall of 2020. 

Asked about how she feels about her insensitive remarks in light of her mother's health struggles, Kelly revealed that she and her mother are estranged. As she remarked on WWHL, she learned that Bobbi had successfully recovered after talking to her on Thanksgiving. 

During the appearance on WWHL, she also addressed the controversy sparked by the "Drunk Wives Matter" hat. As she explained, she didn't buy the hat, emphasizing that it was a gift. 

"I believe in equality, I believe in Black Lives Matter, and if I offended anybody by thinking that I was mocking Black Lives Matter, I don't want to hurt ... I believe in Black Lives Matter," she added. 

Kelly has also made insensitive comments about Braunwyn's struggles with substance abuse as well. 

As she told WWHL host Andy, she believed that Braunwyn's attempts to become sober were contrived — and that she understood that the socialite agreed to open up about her struggles with alcoholism in a bid to land her own show. 

"I think her whole sobriety thing is contrived and I think it's fake ... I know her well enough that this was a pre-plotted thing that she wanted to do to get her own show. She already had this planned, she wanted to get her own show. Her talent agent told her to stop drinking … It's all contrived. I don't believe she is a real alcoholic," Kelly said on WWHL.