Emily Simpson Opens Up About Heather Dubrow Friendship

Simpson discussed her bond with Dubrow during a sneak peek of the Season 20 reunion of The Real Housewives of Orange County.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Relationships — General

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of two ceramic teacups side by side on linen, one tilted toward the other, evoking a quiet personal friendship. — Emily Simpson said she called Heather Dubrow from Tokyo to talk through strain with her husband, Shane, during Season 20 of The Real Housewives of Orange County. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Bravo released a sneak peek of the Season 20 reunion of The Real Housewives of Orange County, in which Emily Simpson spoke about her close friendship with Heather Dubrow. Simpson said the two grew closer during the previous season through conversations about their fathers, children and marriages.

Why it matters

Simpson said she wanted to speak with someone she trusted rather than keep her feelings to herself, offering a glimpse of how the cast's personal relationships play out on screen. The reunion preview highlights the emotional connections that often drive the series' storylines.

The reunion preview is part of Season 20 of The Real Housewives of Orange County, which airs Thursdays on Bravo. Full episode details beyond the sneak peek were not included in the source material.

The players

Emily Simpson

Emily Simpson is a cast member of The Real Housewives of Orange County who discussed her friendship with Heather Dubrow on the reunion.

Heather Dubrow

Heather Dubrow is a longtime cast member of The Real Housewives of Orange County and a former Real Housewives franchise star known for her on-screen friendships.

The details

Simpson reached out to Dubrow by calling her while the cast was in Tokyo, saying she was feeling down about how she and her husband, Shane Simpson, left things before the trip. Simpson also praised Dubrow's relationship with her husband, Terry Dubrow, and her role as a mother, while Dubrow acknowledged that admitting one is wrong can be difficult.

Previous season: Simpson and Dubrow grew closer through shared family conversations.
During the Season 20 trip: Simpson called Dubrow while the cast was in Tokyo.
November 8, 2026: Bravo released the reunion sneak peek.
Thursdays: The Real Housewives of Orange County airs on Bravo.
Day after broadcast: Episodes stream on Peacock.

Culture Shift

Reality franchises like The Real Housewives of Orange County increasingly use castmate friendships and private confessions as reunion storylines, a format the Bravo series has used across multiple seasons. Simpson's and Dubrow's discussion reflects that long-running pattern of personal bonds shaping on-camera narratives.

Viewers can watch The Real Housewives of Orange County on Bravo on Thursdays, with episodes streaming on Peacock the following day. The reunion preview signals how the Season 20 storylines will be presented to audiences.

The takeaway

Strong friendships often provide a trusted place to turn during difficult stretches, and being willing to admit when you're wrong can help keep those bonds intact.