Katie Ginella, a star of The Real Housewives of Orange County (RHOC), is calling out her costars, Jenn Pedranti and Gretchen Rossi, for sharing a “very hurtful” and “inappropriate” video that many have criticized for perpetuating harmful stereotypes about the Asian community.
Ginella made her comments during an appearance on Page Six’s Virtual Reali-Tea series on August 5, where she expressed frustration not only with the current season of RHOC but also with the behavior of her castmates off the show.
The Controversial Video
Ginella was referring to a now-deleted video that had been circulating on social media, which featured Pedranti and Rossi pretending to fight while squinting their eyes and mimicking what some interpreted as “Asian sounds.”
In the video, Pedranti and Rossi were seen at a gym, with Rossi saying, “I’m back on Housewives,” before Pedranti added, “And we’re ready to defend ourselves.” They then performed martial arts moves, hitting a punching bag while mouthing along to a track that many viewers found racially insensitive.
“It’s very hurtful and very inappropriate,” Ginella told Page Six. “It’s 2025, and I think we should read the room.” Ginella expressed that such behavior should not be tolerated, especially considering the ongoing conversations about racial sensitivity and inclusivity.
Ginella’s Personal Connection
Ginella, who is the first Asian American cast member and the first Korean adoptee on RHOC, revealed that the incident triggered negative emotions from her childhood. “I’m the ‘only.’ I’m the very first Asian American on Orange County, I’m the very first Korean adoptee,” she said.
“So being singled out from this cast, it’s all too familiar,” she admitted, describing how the experience brought back painful memories of growing up feeling isolated.
While Ginella has made efforts to bond with the other women on the show, the recent season has highlighted the deterioration of these relationships. The fallout from this incident with Pedranti and Rossi, along with ongoing tensions with other castmates like Emily Simpson, Tamra Judge, and Heather Dubrow, has only intensified the divide.
The Fallout from the Secret Recording Incident
In addition to addressing the video, Ginella also spoke about the fallout from a recent incident involving a secret recording. In the July 27 episode of RHOC, Ginella was confronted by Gina Kirschenheiter and Tamra Judge over a recording she made of Shannon Beador having a “meltdown” at a cast photoshoot.
Ginella allegedly shared the recording with Alexis Bellino, who is engaged to Beador’s ex. Beador was furious, calling Ginella’s actions “pure evil betrayal,” though Ginella denied that she showed the recording to anyone.
She did acknowledge discussing the incident with Pedranti and Bellino, which led to further tension between the women.
Pedranti, who was caught in the middle of the controversy, expressed frustration over being involved in something she claimed not to know about. “I don’t know why Katie’s doing this,” she said during a confessional. “It’s just not fair, and really, I wish my friend would just start answering for herself.”
Moving Forward on RHOC
Ginella’s comments about the video and the ongoing drama on RHOC shed light on the complicated relationships within the cast this season. Despite her efforts to find common ground with her castmates, tensions are continuing to rise.
Ginella’s frustration with Pedranti and Rossi’s actions highlights the deeper issues surrounding racism, exclusion, and loyalty within the group.
As the season progresses, viewers can expect more confrontations and emotional moments as Ginella continues to navigate her place within the RHOC cast. New episodes of The Real Housewives of Orange County air Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.
