Oh, s**t! Just like Vanderpump Rules, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City will be moving forward without its most scandalous cast member!
Monica Garcia has officially been removed from the cast list for season 5, People confirmed on Tuesday — this after just one very dramatic season! If you missed it, the mother of four (and the first Latina to join the cast) truly stirred the pot all season long, but especially in the finale when she admitted to being one of the people who was behind the Instagram troll account RealityVonTease, which has a history of posting nasty things about the RHOSLC stars. It was a pretty f**king wild reveal! And naturally, it caused a massive rift in the friend group.
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Heather Gay, who confronted her about the IG (and is also in a separate legal battle with the star), called her a “cyberbully internet troll,” saying she “deceived all of us” for months as she mingled her way into the group without telling anyone “the truth.” Heather, an OG, has also been adamant that she’ll never film another scene with the newcomer, too, placing Monica’s future in the balance!
Now, it sounds like the Bravo execs made the final call. Per multiple People sources, the 40-year-old breakout star won’t be joining (former) co-stars Heather, Meredith Marks, Lisa Barlow, Whitney Rose, and Angie Katsanevas as they begin filming the new season next month. And even though the network doesn’t usually talk about casting, executive producers also broke the news to Variety, too, on Tuesday night! Showrunner Lori Gordon spilled the tea:
“The women just need a cooling off period, and I think it’s just too soon. They’ve articulated it. It’s too soon for them to reenter into a friendship — a trusting friendship. Not enough time has passed.”
Heather Gay reacts to the news Monica Garcia will be taking a break from #RHOSLC pic.twitter.com/AQKSTFiEGE
— Watch What Happens Live! (@BravoWWHL) January 24, 2024
While Monica hasn’t commented on the firing yet, EP Andy Cohen suggested on Watch What Happens Live that this might not be a permanent thing, saying it could just be “a break” (see above). Talking to Entertainment Tonight on Monday, he added:
“I think the question is how will Monica — or will Monica — find her way back into this group?”
But with this latest decision, it sounds like she’s going to have to make amends off-screen if she ever hopes to be on TV again. Which, honestly, is a big loss for the series! We mean, viewers are gonna wanna watch this drama unfold! Guess she burned too many bridges with the other Real Housewives to make that happen right now…
It’ll certainly be a blow for ratings, though! Monica was a huge reason for this season’s success. And it was not only praised by critics but had Jennifer Lawrence wanting to give them an Oscar for their stellar performances! Moving forward without her is a bummer, and could lose them a ton of viewers. Fans on X (Twitter) have already slammed the decision, writing:
“welp, that wraps up #RHOSLC for me. monica garcia you will always be famous!”
“Monica Garcia will officially go down as one of the best one season wonders in housewife history like she will never be forgotten future newbies will be compared to her and for that good luck to them”
“Well, this was my first and last full season of #rhoslc I have to say I enjoyed myself. Thank you Monica Garcia for everything.”
Yeesh! They better make her absence a quick break. LOLz!
Reactions?! What do YOU think about this decision?? Sound OFF (below)!
[Image via Bravo/Peacock/YouTube]