It's Always Sunny In " The OC " Thanks To Alexis Bellino!

Alexis Bellino from The Real Housewives Of Orange County on Bravo TV

After appearing on three seasons of  The Real Housewives Of Orange County on Bravo TV, Alexis Bellino is no stranger to the spotlight. Now with a fourth season under her belt, which is season eight in total for the very  first Bravo TV  Housewives franchise, she is back and better than ever! Alexis, in my opinion, is a breathe of fresh air on The Real Housewives Of Orange County...always positive and making us as viewers laugh with her and at her " Alexisms". For example, one would be when she says the word  " Becoz" translation ; Because! Alexis owns it! It's her upbeat personality and willingness to poke fun of herself that helped make her relatable  and endearing to her many fans. But this is reality television and as we have come to find out  not even the  lovable Alexis would  remain drama free...
Last season we saw the tables turn and  Alexis was being " attacked"  and constantly having to defend herself, her marriage, and her values to some of the  women ( including a former friend) which led her to become disenchanted and  ultimately quit the show altogether. Fans of the long running show were very upset and when production reached out to her to return , and after a much contemplated decision , she decided that letting the negativity get to her just wouldn't do!
Alexis  picked herself up , " dusted her self off " ( complete with a fab new hair style) , and returned despite all the rumors, gossip, and press saying otherwise. At a place when the media and public scrutiny were so high she decided what better time than now to face her fears, go after her dreams, and show everyone that there is more to
 " Jesus Barbie " ( an affectionate term given to her by fans after hearing the term on the show which refers to her looks and her christian faith ) than meets the eye. Below Alexis opens up to me about her life, marriage, her experience on the show , and her goals for the future.

BC: Where did you grow up? 

AB: I grew up in Hannibal, Missouri...a small town with a population of 18,000!

BC: Wow that is small!

AB: Yes! ( laughs) but it was the home of Mark Twain!

BC:Very  Cool! Thanks for the " fun fact" ( both laugh)...  What was your childhood like?

AB: I had a relatively normal upbringing, although my parents did divorce when I was twelve years old, which devastated me.

BC: Sorry to hear that...

AB: Thank you! It's okay though as  for the most part I remember a childhood filled with love and laughter.

We lived in a "kid friendly" neighborhood where after school we would ride bikes or walk through the creek to TG&Y where we'd buy toys and candy!

BC: When you were a young girl what did you see yourself doing as a career? 

AB: I always pictures myself doing something in front of crowds, although I never dreamed it would be on television! I have always pushed myself and I enjoy people!

BC: Did you attend college after high school?

AB: Yes I graduated from The University of Missouri-Columbia with a marketing degree.

BC: What was your first job after that?

AB: After college I became the general manager of a privately owned health club. I absolutely loved doing that because I wore many hats...from hiring staff to ordering products to personal training!

BC: That would be a perfect fit seeing as how you are very athletic! Being so busy...how do you still maintain your fabulous figure these days?
AB: Thank you! I make working out and eating healthy a priority!

Alexis has one of the best bods in the OC !

BC: How did you meet your husband Jim Bellino ?  

AB: Jim and I met in 2004 at a resort in Palm Desert California. It was Memorial weekend and he spotted me out of a crowd of 1500 people hanging out at the pool that day...we have never spent a day a part since then!

Alexis and her hubby Jim Bellino

BC: I know... the girls on RHOC kept reminding us! ( both laugh) 

What qualities about him attracted you? 

AB: That's easy! His confidence, his sense of humor, and his presence! Not to mention that he was tan , ripped , and smelling good!

BC: That doesn't hurt at all! (both laugh)

Alexis and her beautiful family!

BC: How long have you been married? 

AB: 8 years!

BC: That's awesome!

AB: Yes we are blessed!

BC: Speaking of blessed...tell me about your children

AB: James is now six years old and my twins Melania and Mackenna are five! They are doing so great and I am so lucky!

BC: How do you balance having a career with being a  wife , and also a mother? 

AB: It's a serious juggling act! I find myself struggling every day trying to find the proper balance for them all! I really live my life by putting GOD first, my marriage second, and my kids next. I nurture and romance my marriage the best I can, I volunteer at the kid's school every week to keep up with their lives, and when I am not volunteering I am either filming , doing press, or working on one of my businesses!

BC: You must get tired!

AB: I have to admit that I am exhausted often but I wouldn't want my life any other way! I have to prioritize wisely instead of spreading myself too thin.I think that I happen to love chaos because when things slow down I find that I am bored! The old saying " if you really want something done, then ask the busiest person you know"... happens to be true with me!

The Season 8 Real Housewives Of Orange County Cast

BC: How did you first get involved with Bravo television and The Real Housewives of Orange County?
 AB: I knew Jeana Keough, who was a cast member from seasons one through four...one day at a local restaurant she came up to me and said " I turned your name into Bravo for the show and they will be calling you soon" ...I think I turned white as a ghost ( both laugh) because then she said " What? You are perfect for the show!"...sure enough they called me the next day.

BC: Was Jim supportive? Was this a family decision? 

AB: This was definitely a family decision. Jim and I spent hours and days talking about it. We talked it over with our family, friends, pastor , and our therapist! 

BC: Talk about covering all your bases! ( both laugh) 

AB: Yes...and at the end of it all we both decided that we thought that it would be a fun experience!

BC: Was the experience what you thought it would be before you saw your self after your first season aired?  

AB: ( laughing) No way! Are you Crazy!? I don't think there is any way to know or anticipate what you are about to experience until you experience it! It's like telling someone what it's like to have a baby...your description could never match what it's really like to do it!

BC: In what ways has being on reality TV changed you ?  

AB: It has definitely made me stronger! I was a naive, small town girl before.I also think that it has opened my eyes in areas in which I wish to be a better person.

Season 7 of The Real Housewives Of Orange County : Alexis in Costa Rica 

BC: How many seasons have you a part of The Real Housewives of Orange County on Bravo TV and what made you decide to return after last year and the season being so difficult for you? 

AB: This season will be my fourth year. One month after quitting the show in September, the production company reached out to me and asked me to reconsider. I thought long and hard about it and decided that I didn't want to send the message to my children that it was OK to quit when times get tough. I also wanted to prove to myself that I wouldn't let others " Bully" me from following my dreams! Jim and I talked it through and we both felt the right decision was to return.

BC: You are taking a lot of heat in the press lately  for using the term " Bully" and Gretchen and Tamra are saying that you are over exaggerating ...what are your thoughts on that?
AB: It is how I felt. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and viewers didn't get to  see everything due to editing. I was harassed like crazy. Viewers who are watching this season will see things a little more clearly in a few episodes so stay tuned!

BC:  Your fellow cast mate .Gretchen Rossi , and yourself were seemingly great friends prior to your "falling out" last season...  where is your relationship today? 

AB: We are not enemies but not friends.I don't know if I could ever trust her with my friendship again...

Vicki Gunvalson and Alexis Bellino last season RHOC

Vicki Gunvalson. Alexis Bellino, and Lydia McLaughlin 

BC: What do you say to people who don't feel that you and Vicki Gunvalson are " real friends" ?

AB: Vicki and I took a few years to become friends. It wasn't something that happened over night.

I feel that although Vicki and I bumped heads before, neither one of us thought the other was a terrible person. So once Vicki was in a happier place in her own life we got to connect better and she was bale to see me for who I am .

BC: As a viewer of RHOC it seems to me that Tamra Barney always needs to find someone to pick on  and last  year you were the target... why do you think that was? 

AB: I think that I am an easy target because I do not fight dirty and I would rather be the one getting hurt than the one doing the hurting ya know?

BC: I totally get it!

Season 8 Real Housewives Of  Orange County " Girls Trip "

BC: Without giving too much away...what can fans expect from this season of RHOC? 

AB: They will get to see me in more of my Mom role as well as my relationship with Jim. They will also get to see me pursuing my acting career after my cameo on General Hospital last year.

BC: Tell me about your " passion for fashion" and your role as  Designer… 

AB: I love designing! I took as many fashion classes as possible in college simply because I loved it. Once I had the opportunity to chase my dream, I did it! Alexis Couture takes a lot of time, so this season I pulled back a little so I could help with Sky Zone, our indoor trampoline park, as well as take acting classes. However I still have dresses available and when I have a little time free up I plan to design a new maxi that I have sketched out!

Alexis Bellino and Tal Sheyn at LA Fashion Week

BC: How is your dress line " Alexis by Tal Sheyn doing ?

AB: Alexis by Tal Sheyn is going amazing! It's been so much fun collaborating with Tal.

BC: What was it like to be a part of LA Fashion Week?

AB: LA Fashion Week was one of the best, most proud moments for me! It feels so incredible to sit back and watch your dresses walk down a runway!

BC: What direction do you see yourself and  your line going in the future? 

AB: Over the next few years we hope to have a store front as well as international boutiques!

Strike A Pose! Fierce!

BC: Describe your personal style to me, what are you into currently? 

AB: I consider myself trendy, classy, and fashion forward. Right now I love jeans with blazers and  hot pair of stilettos! I also love the peplum style skirts and dresses!

BC: What do you like to do to relax? ( if you ever can) 

AB: Relax?! What does that mean? ( both laugh)

BC: Lastly what would like fans to take away from RHOC about who you are and the many hats you wear? 

AB: I want fans to see my heart and to know that I truly believe in the golden rule " you must treat people the way you wish to be treated" . I know I am not perfect and there are things that I wish to change about myself every day but I continue to work on that everyday!  I am a dedicated wife, a loving mother who is extremely hands on , and the most loyal friend anyone could have. I believe that we are all here for a reason greater than ourselves so when it is all said an done, I want my life to have an exclamation point at the end of it and not a period.

BC:  I definitely wish that for you! Thank you for always being so kind to me and the work you did for me to help with The Hurricane Sandy Project was greatly appreciated as well!
AB: Your welcome! The pleasure is all mine and I always will find time to give back!



There you have it ! Alexis Bellino will not allow herself to be underestimated or held back! Alexis  is " driving the bus" called her life and she will follow her dreams and passions even if that means stepping out side of the box and trying new things.At the end of the day Alexis Bellino  will be a role model for her children sending them the message that when things get tough you stay and choose your own outcome. Alexis has definitely captured our attention and also what matters  most... the hearts of her fans and that's the way I see it !
Xx Billy Charles

Follow Alexis Bellino on Twitter @AlexisBellino as she loves hearing from all her fans and check out her site for all the latest news on Alexis and her fashion line!

www.Alexis-Bellino.com

Learn all about Sky Zone and here and visit them when you are in California!

www.skyzone.com/anaheim