The drama is heating up on The Real Housewives of Orange County as Emily Simpson, 49, takes aim at Gretchen Rossi’s bold fashion choices in a juicy new interview with Page Six’s Virtual Reali-Tea. Rossi, 46, who returned to the Bravo series as a “friend of” the cast after a 12-year absence, has been turning heads — but not exactly for the right reasons, according to Simpson.
Simpson, a sharp-witted attorney, didn’t hold back when describing Rossi’s wardrobe, likening her outfits to theatrical costumes. One ensemble in particular sparked a heated argument between the two and left Simpson with Little House on the Prairie vibes. “I thought she was gonna hop in a covered wagon and head off to the Oregon Trail,” Simpson quipped, poking fun at what she dubbed Rossi’s “pioneer cosplay.”
But the shade didn’t stop there. Simpson went on to describe another of Rossi’s looks as a bizarre mash-up of McDonald’s mischievous Hamburglar and the iconic detective Sherlock Holmes. “It’s creative, I’ll give her that!” Simpson laughed, noting that her jabs at Rossi’s sartorial sense are all in good fun. “We joke about it,” she shared. “Gretchen even knows I’m going to say something when she puts on one of her wild outfits. It’s all part of the fun!”
While Simpson may not be a fan of Rossi’s wardrobe, she’s openly envious of her signature platinum blonde locks. “Her hair always looks healthy, and you never see regrowth,” Simpson marveled. “She must color it weekly because I don’t know how she pulls that off!” However, she couldn’t resist a playful dig, calling Rossi’s immovable tresses a “Lego helmet.” “It’s like she wakes up, snaps it on, and it doesn’t budge all day,” Simpson teased, before adding, “But honestly, it looks good.”
The fashion critiques don’t end with Simpson. RHOC veteran Tamra Judge, a longtime rival of Rossi’s, didn’t mince words when asked about Rossi’s style and beauty choices. “They’re both bad,” Judge declared bluntly during a recent Virtual Reali-Tea chat. “Really bad.” Ouch!
As Rossi steps back into the RHOC spotlight, her bold looks and larger-than-life personality are clearly stirring the pot. Whether she’s channeling a prairie settler or a fast-food bandit, one thing’s for sure: Rossi’s return is anything but boring.