The Real Housewives franchise is familiar with its stars speaking their mind, whether it is the show being better without a one-time star or some other semi-controversial topic, there tends to be something being said on a regular basis. Currently, The Real Housewives of Orange County’s Kelly Dodd is apologizing over controversial comments regarding the coronavirus “thinning the herd.”
One of the many stars of the franchise that has been outspoken about many personal topics, Kelly Dodd landed in hot water recently after going off on a coronavirus-related rant in which she downplayed the seriousness of the current pandemic and compared the death toll to those of other outbreaks, at one point saying that God is thinning the herd through COVID-19. After receiving a lot of negative feedback, Kelly Dodd returned to the social media platform for an Instagram story ((via Yahoo) and made her apology there, saying:
I want to give a public apology. When I wrote that it's 'God's way of thinning the herd' that's not what I meant. What I meant was, do these pandemics happen because it’s God's way? I'm not God, I'm not insensitive, I feel bad for all the families that lost loved ones and I do think we should all stay home and protect everybody. That's not what I meant and I want to apologize to anyone that got offended, OK? I'm sorry. So for anybody who felt offended by my stupid writing of God thinning the herd, I don't — I'm just asking a question. Is it God's way of thinning the herd? I don't know. I just feel bad and my choice of words were stupid and I hope you guys can all forgive me for saying something so ridiculous and so stupid. So again, please accept my apology and I feel bad for everybody out there that has lost loved ones and I hope everybody's safe and protects themselves from this pandemic.
In her apology, Kelly Dodd attempts to clarify her Instagram retorts, which followed a particular post that earned The Real Housewives of Orange County star criticism for traveling amid the coronavirus lockdown. Millions of people have been stuck in self-isolation, with the TV and movie industries ceasing production in response, and Dodd’s Real Housewives series has been among those to do so.
Meanwhile, Blue Bloods actor Nick Cordero is fighting for his life after contracting COVID-19, while Top Chef Masters winner, Floyd Cardoz, lost his battle to issues stemming from the disease last month, and those are just two cases among many. Therefore, Kelly Dodd's original comments made a lot of fans question her thoughts, which you can check out below, as taken from a now-deleted post:
Do you know how many people died from the H1N1, the swine flu or SARS ?? It’s 25% get your facts straight you only hearing numbers not the reality!! It’s God’s way of thinning the herd!! If you are vulnerable or compromised stay inside if you don’t, protect others by wearing masks and gloves keep your distance [glove emoji] and don’t go out if you are ill !! It's common sense!
The Real Housewives of Orange County star is not alone in garnering criticism for comments about the coronavirus. Kelly Dodd’s apology comes after other Hollywood stars have apologized for prior regarding the coronavirus pandemic. Last month, Lost’s Evangeline Lilly made waves with her comments over not self-quarantining herself of her kids, which earned a lot of criticism. Like Kelly Dodd, Evangeline Lilly’s controversial statements received a backlash, and Lilly ended up apologizing.
Kelly Dodd attempted to clarify her remarks, but only time will tell how the fallout will reshape itself. The Real Housewives of Orange County is not airing new episodes at the moment. Production on Season 15, which Dodd is starring in, has been postponed amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The reality show joins many projects currently in flux in light of the pandemic. Yesterday, it was announced that the launch of Fixer Upper’s Chip and Joanna Gaines’ network Magnolia would be delayed due to the coronavirus. As is the case with the Magnolia Network, The Real Housewives of Orange County is expected to return for Season 15 as soon as it's safe and won't pose risks to the casts and crews.
Not expected to return alongside Kelly Dodd for Season 15 is her one-time co-star Tamra Judge. Judge quit the show and purged her co-stars from social media earlier this year. While fans wait to see what is next for Dodd and others next season on The Real Housewives of Orange County, Real Housewives of New York already has people talking.
A new season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is currently airing on Bravo along with New York. Season 15 of The Real Housewives of Orange County does not have a release date yet. While you wait for the new next installment to arrive, check out with this spring’s premieres.
