In a fiery episode of their podcast Diamonds in the Rough on September 8, 2025, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Teddi Mellencamp, 44, and co-host Erika Jayne, 54, didn’t hold back as they addressed Real Housewives of Orange County drama. The duo took aim at Gretchen Rossi’s claims that Tamra Judge, 58, was responsible for her longtime fiancé Slade Smiley’s decade-long struggle to find work. Gretchen, 46, pointed fingers at Tamra, alleging her comments labeling Slade a “deadbeat dad” cost him job opportunities. Teddi and Erika, however, weren’t buying it—and they brought receipts.
The drama unfolded as Teddi and Erika dissected the latest RHOC episode, where Gretchen suggested Tamra’s remarks about Slade’s past child support issues tanked his career. “So Gretchen blames Tamra for the reason why Slade hasn’t worked in 10 years,” Teddi said, her tone dripping with skepticism. Erika chimed in, noting that Gretchen claimed Slade “lost work because of the bad things Tamra had said.” But a quick Google search, as Erika pointed out, tells a different story.
Teddi didn’t mince words, reminding listeners that Slade’s troubles, including a past arrest for unpaid child support, are well-documented online. “It’s out there on the World Wide Web. I don’t think it had anything to do with Tamra,” she declared, shutting down Gretchen’s narrative. Erika backed her up, adding that being on a reality show doesn’t make someone “unemployable.” The shade was real, and it didn’t stop there.
Digging deeper, Teddi noted Slade’s history on RHOC, where he’s appeared alongside “four different women,” hinting at his colorful past. She speculated he might have worked in banking or real estate before his reality TV days, but his employment woes? Not Tamra’s fault. “For me, when it comes to Gretchen, I’m like, this is just too old. No one cares,” Teddi said, urging Slade to move on.
Erika, never one to shy away from a blunt truth, took it a step further. “Get a new job,” she advised Slade, before doubling down: “Or get a job.” With her signature no-nonsense flair, she added, “I’m not being shady to Slade. It’s just, if this is what’s going on… you can get a job if that’s the case. We all get to get jobs.” The message was clear: stop making excuses and take accountability.
The podcast exchange was a masterclass in calling out tired narratives, with Teddi and Erika serving up a mix of sharp wit and unapologetic honesty. As the RHOC drama continues to unfold, one thing’s certain—Teddi and Erika aren’t here for the blame game, and they’re ready to keep it real.