Can these ladies handle the heat? Real Housewives of Orange County had a typically major shakeup following season 8, with longtime castmembers Alexis Bellino and Gretchen Rossi leaving the cast, alongside with first-season newbie Lydia McLaughlin. Filling their high-heeled shoes? Elizabeth Rovsek and Shannon Beador, Us Weekly can exclusively confirm. The twosome will join returning women Vicki Gunvalson (the Bravo smash's only original star), Tamra Barney and Heather Dubrow. Bravo has no comment on the casting news.
In her early thirties, Rovsek (who goes by "Lizzie") has a background tailor-made for the Housewives universe. The former model was crowned Miss Kentucky USA back in 2002, and wed OC real estate executive Christian Rovsek in September 2009. She parlayed her Fashion Design and Merchandising Degree into her own business: Sun Kitten Swimwear by Lizzie, which creates "high-end, special occasion designer swimsuits" featuring jewel embellishments, according to the company website. She and Christian share sons Preston and Kingston.
One enticing clue about her new reality gig? Rovsek recently tweeted at Joyce Giraud — another former beauty queen and one of the newcomers on the current season of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. "You are so beautiful! Inside & out!!" Rovsek gushed Dec. 10.
Shannon Beador — whose casting has been rumored by fan blogs for weeks — also seems to fit the Housewives mold. Reportedly 49, the California native and construction mogul husband David Beador have three kids, and live in a massive home in Newport Beach's Bonita Canyon neighborhood. In a recently posted Twitter photo, Beador posed with Tamra Barney.
Although season nine has not officially been announced, RHOC is expected to return next year.