Shannon Storms Beador on her DUI, filming with the woman dating her ex and ‘the hardest part’ of ‘Housewives’

Shannon Storms Beador is anything but a quiet woman, and this season of “The Real Housewives of Orange County” is a brilliant reminder of that.

Season 18 of Bravo’s OG “Housewives” franchise kicked off July 11, and it was, as Shannon would say, “Perfect.”

The episode ends on a chilling moment when Shannon breaks the fourth wall after facing off against Alexis Bellino, who returns to the show as a “friend of.” If you haven’t heard, Alexis is dating Shannon’s ex John Janssen, and it was revealed in the premiere that the two met at The Quiet Woman. It's a significant location in “RHOC” lore, as it’s where Shannon had her infamous dinner showdown with ex-castmate Kelly Dodd.

“If someone upsets me, if someone does something cruel to me, I’m going to tell them what they’ve done. I am not a victim,” Shannon says in the premiere, adding she has “no fear.”

“I’m not going to sit there in a corner and avoid Alexis Bellino,” she adds. “I’m going to walk right up to her and say, ‘Let’s just get this conversation out of the way.’”

And that’s exactly what happens by the end of the episode, when Shannon pulls Alexis outside for a chat at a party.

After Alexis declares, “There’s the door, Shannon Beador!” and storms off, Shannon thanks Alexis for taking John from her before locking her eyes on the camera and saying, “Perfect.”

Shannon is the topic of conversation among her castmates — Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Emily Simpson, Gina Kirschenheiter, Jennifer Pedranti and newbie Katie Ginella — in the latest episode because she was arrested in September 2023 on suspicion of drunk driving and a misdemeanor hit-and-run.

Shannon recalls the events of the night of her DUI hit-and-run during the premiere, explaining she went to John’s house, where they got into an argument, and John advised her not to drive because she had been drinking.

According to Shannon, she got into an accident because she “revved up the engine” as a sign to John about how upset she was and “lost control of the car.”

Another layer of drama involving Shannon this season includes the dissolution of her Tres Amigas friend group, which included her, Tamra and Vicki Gunvalson, who will appear in Season 18 as a friend of the group. The group had been touring around the country doing live shows together. Now, Shannon is on the outs with Tamra and is currently continuing to tour with Vicki as part of “Shannon & Vicki Live!”

With all of this in mind, Shannon sat down with TODAY.com to answer some burning questions about the premiere, if Alexis violated “girl code” and why she kicked Tamra out of the Tres Amigas.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Having a holistic lifestyle has always been so important to you. A lot has changed since you joined the show. At this point in your life, what does your holistic lifestyle look like?

It's interesting you say that because after my DUI, I went to a wellness program for 30 days with an alcohol component. I really was miserable. I was using alcohol as a coping mechanism, and I really took a step away from the holistic lifestyle. So that is what I'm doing right now, is I'm getting back on that path. And I'm happy with the steps I'm taking.

In the premiere, we see you in a yoga class. What kind of workouts are you doing to stay in shape?

Well, I live by the beach now so I like to walk because the bottom line is when you walk somewhere, you have to get back. If I was on a treadmill, I don't know how long I would stay. I just try and stay active. I have Archie (Shannon's dog) with me. I'm living alone with my man, Archie. He forces me to get out, too.

Some fans have deemed you to be one of the most consistent "housewives" because you're always so open and honest about everything going on in your life. How important is that to you?

That's very kind that people say that about me because I've got cast members that say that all I do is lie, and it's really frustrating for me. When you tell the truth, too, it's really easy to keep track of it. I made a commitment after my DUI. I put a video out, and I said when I can speak about it, there's nothing off-limits. I will answer any questions.

I take responsibility for the horrible decision that I made, and it has changed my life, but I am doing my best to turn it into positive. I know that God had a plan and having everything happen the way that it did. I'm proud of where I stand today, and I know that people close to me are as well.

It must be hard being on a reality show and then later seeing people around you talk about you during confessional interviews.

That's the thing, is that I know what I film. I don't know what people are saying behind my back. That's the hardest part for me in all of this because I just finished my 10th year. It's crazy.

In the premiere, Emily asked why you haven't chosen sobriety. Since filming this season, have you changed your mind at all about that?

The bottom line is, and I openly admit this, is I was using alcohol as a coping mechanism in certain parts of my life that were hard. For instance, during my divorce, and I gained a bunch of weight. But then there are other parts of my life where I've been healthier.

Right now, I'm accountable to myself. Right now, alcohol is not an issue. If it ever becomes one for me, then I will look into that and take responsibility and make the changes. For now, I'm back to the way that I was and in healthy mode.

Gina and Emily said during the episode that they think you should go to rehab. What is your response to them saying that?

I was offered multiple rehabs to go to for free, but I knew that, for me, I wanted to get to the core reason of why I chose alcohol as a coping mechanism, why I choose to stay in toxic relationships — both friendships and romantically. I continue working with my therapist and a psychiatrist from the facility. I'm really fortunate to continue to work on myself.

There's a nice scene in the premiere with you and your daughters, who offer some nice wisdom to you. What has their support meant to you?

People have had DUIs potentially in their lives, but when they were younger. I still have a lot of shame and guilt for it. But my daughters are understanding and they're loving. I'm working on moving past the shame because that's part of healing as well. They've been nothing but supportive, and I'm just so grateful to have my girls.

Switching gears, how difficult was it for you to film with Alexis Bellino?

It's just a very awkward situation. Do I want John back in my life? Absolutely not. I don't want anything to do with him. I had my own issues with Alexis, as you will see. I don't want to be friends with her for reasons other than John.

Getting through it, it makes me feel stronger. I got through it, but it wasn't easy. A lot of people, on my cast even, have said what an amazing season. And it is, for people that watch, but for me, it was very difficult. As a viewer, I'd want to see Shannon and Alexis.

Alexis said in an interview she “didn’t break girl code” in terms of her returning to the show despite being with your ex because she “didn’t know you.” What is your response to that?

Yeah, I didn't know her. Girl code — whatever. I just think that the way Alexis and John have publicly displayed their relationship, I would have maybe been a little bit more quiet about it. I have been more quiet on social media. I don't choose to live my entire life and choose to make my arguments with people publicly. If you're so happy, just be happy. And you don't need to advertise it.

My favorite scene is at the end of the episode when you break the fourth wall and look into the camera and say, "Perfect." Was that a spur-of-the-moment decision?

I don't know, I just knew that walking in there I wanted to initiate the conversation with Alexis, and I wanted to set the ground rules. What you don't hear, I said, "I've heard you're a kind person. I'd like you to give me the time to say what I need to say, and then I will listen to you."

Then I said, I listed off, "I've heard you're kind, but I have no interest in pursuing a big friendship with you." And who would! Honestly, what person would say, "Oh, you're two months into your relationship with a guy that I went out with for four years. Let's hang out! Let's go to dinner. Let's go traveling together."

In the episode Tamra and Jenn say you kicked Tamra out of the Tres Amigas.

No, Tamra chose to extricate herself. But what bothers me so much, especially in this season, is that the day after my DUI, Tamra left for Scotland to film "The Traitors." And when she came back, she was sick, and we did a show together for the Tres Amigas, but Tamra (knows) nothing about what I’ve been doing and what I’ve been working on for the last year.

She’s talking about things in the past. She embellishes, she says I was sneaking around. I wasn’t. It’s bothersome, and it’s hurtful to me that someone who I considered to be one of my best friends decided to turn on me. I mean, she's big buddies with Alexis. I don't know what her agenda is, but it's not healthy for me.

It's been sort of difficult to piece together the cause of the falling out and what caused it.

I think that Tamra sometimes puts a bunch of things out there and sees what sticks, but she blames my DUI for part of it. I got upset when John and Alexis first met. Alexis is making posts, and Tamra was commenting on them, and that hurt my feelings.

I said to someone, "She's got such a big ego." I did say that, and I'll tell it to her face she's got a big ego. She has a big ego, and that set her off. I believe that Tamra is a girl that can dish it out, but she can't take it. She can get really, really down and dirty, and she does this season with me. And she's still doing it.

Did you see the video she shared yesterday?

It is absolutely the funniest thing ever. For those that don’t know me very well, I’m low-tech. I, by mistake, push buttons all the time. I delete conversations. I have circles on top of my texts. I don't know how they get up there. So there was a circle, and it had Tamra and another person on it. I must’ve hit it. I don’t know how to "heart" a text message. I’ve never done that before.

I’m not obsessed with you, Tamra. No, I'm not getting receipts for "Watch What Happens Live." No, I’m not going through old texts. Let’s make another big deal out of nothing. She looks ridiculous.

I must’ve butt-liked it. Is there such a thing? Yeah, I butt-liked her text.

What kind of a friend has Vicki been to you throughout all of this?

I will tell you that, very different than Tamra, who says she was there for me and that’s why this is hilarious for me, but I was pretty injured after my accident. My kids were all in school. So Vicki took me in, and I stayed with her and she took care of me.

We've had our issues, we absolutely have. She has such a nurturing, motherly side to her. The (live) show now — we're happier because it's silly fun, but it's also about friendship. The people that have seen the show so far really enjoy it because they can see that we're both completely honest and transparent.

We're excited about it, and it's nice for me because I am an empty nester. So now Vicki and I have this tour scheduled, and we're going to be traveling around the country.

I’m single. I have no desire to be in a relationship. How crazy is that?! So that just shows a little bit of growth on my side because I always want to be in a relationship.

Is there a world where Tamra will come back to the Tres Amigas?

I don't know. I think that at this point, never say never, but I think at this point, the damage is too deep. As we get older, you just reach a point where it's like, look at the history, look at the hills and valleys. I don't want to keep doing it anymore.

How is Season 18 Shannon different from seasons past?

Season 18 Shannon is a little bit more grounded. I'm comfortable in my own skin, and that's something that I think I never really have been. It was just always putting on a facade that everything was OK. It's OK to realize that there may have been things that have happened in your life to mold you into who you are.

I'm just trying to work through it all. I'm committed to working through it, and I'll be working on it probably for the rest of my life. I just feel like I'm on a good path right now.

I'm going to go through each cast member, and you can tell me where you stand with them now.

Heather: Good.

Gina: Good.

Emily: Good.

Tamra: Bad.

Jenn: Good.

Alexis: ... There's no relationship! Bad.

Katie: We're good.

Who is going to have the most to answer for at the reunion?

Tamra.

She keeps teasing, "Oh, wait, you'll see how Shannon turns on me." We were never good.

I can't wait to see it. Sometimes I go, "Did I film? Am I in the show?"

We'll see.

"The Real Housewives of Orange County" airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET and streams the following day on Peacock.

(Bravo and Peacock are part of our parent company, NBCUniversal.)

This article was originally published on TODAY.com