Tamra Judge, a star of "The Real Housewives of Orange County," has shed light on why Liz McGraw departed "The Real Housewives of Rhode Island" after its inaugural season. Judge indicated that McGraw found the social media criticism difficult to handle.
"I don’t like it at all. I think she brought a lot [to the show]," Judge stated in an interview with Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea.” She added that she had spoken with McGraw off-season and learned about her struggles with online hate. "People need to chill. It’s TV. It’s entertainment. You don’t need to go for their children and their businesses and write bad Yelp reviews and send death threats,” Judge urged. Mcgraw, 56, had announced her decision to step back from the series to concentrate on her "family," "work," and "passions." She expressed appreciation for her castmates, calling them an "amazing group of women who have created something special," and stated she would be watching the next season to support the franchise's continued success.
Speculation about McGraw's exit also involved her association with Dino Guilmette, a friend facing drug-related charges. However, McGraw explicitly denied these rumors on her Instagram Story, asserting that her decision was unrelated to Guilmette's legal issues. She stated that the local gossip had been ongoing for years and that if there were any validity to it, she would not have joined the show. McGraw emphasized that she has never been investigated or involved in any criminal cases.
"The Real Housewives of Rhode Island" was renewed for a second season shortly after its debut. The show, which features cast members including Jo-Ellen Tiberi and Ashley Iaconetti, is scheduled to begin filming its second season this summer. The first season is available for streaming on Peacock.