Afterpublicly coming outas a lesbian,Braunwyn Windham-Burkeis opening up about her sexuality onThe Real Housewives of Orange County.
During a confessional on Wednesday’s season 15 finale of the reality series, Braunwyn shared that she is currently “finding herself” after a whirlwind year that included herseparating fromandreunitingwith husband Sean Burke, as well asrevealing her battle with alcoholismand becoming sober.
“I am on a journey of sobriety, I am redefining my marriage, I am finding myself,” she began, before a producer asked: “Who is Braunwyn?”
“Braunwyn is an amazing mom, a good friend and she is a big ol' lesbian,” she responded. “I like women and it’s beautiful. This is the real me.”
Braunwyn Windham-Burke.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Earlier in the episode, Braunwyn, 43, told her fellow cast members that she and Sean were trying to figure out their marriage, noting that her best friend Shari had moved into their home and was causing problems in their relationship.
“What’s going on with your girlfriend that you’re hanging out with all the time and what’s going on with your husband?“Kelly Doddasked while the group enjoyed a beachside dinner.
“Are you in love with him?“Gina Kirschenheiterthen added, while Emily Simpson asked, “Are you in love with Shari?”
Braunwyn replied saying that she loved them both, but clarified that her relationship with Shari was not sexual. “She doesn’t sleep in my bed,” she said. “We’re not having sex.”
“But Shari’s definitely causing problems with you and Sean, right?” Emily prompted.
The Real Housewives of Orange County.
“There’s a lot going on, and I have to figure it out myself and I haven’t, so it’s not that I’m not telling you. There’s some big s— going on in my life and I don’t have an answer,” Braunwyn said. “Sean and I talked about what was happening and we made a commitment that we’re going to fight for our marriage. And that was the commitment we made and that is what we’re currently doing.”
When asked what that commitment means, Braunwyn explained that Sean had started going to therapy and Al-Anon, a program for families and friends of alcoholics. She added that she also needed him “to be off his phone more.”
“But what is it that he needs from you?” Emily, 44, asked. “I’m sure it has to do with Shari not living there.”
RELATED VIDEO: RHOC’s Emily Simpson Thinks Braunwyn & Sean ‘Had a Great Marriage’ Before She Came Out
“Yeah, but I need her right now,” Braunwyn said, to which Emily shared that it seemed “selfish.”
“I kind of need to be selfish right now,” Braunwyn said.
“I think every decision that Braunwyn makes in life is to better Braunwyn,” Emily added in a confessional, before referencing Braunwyn and Sean’svow renewalearlier this year.
RHOCalso gave updates on each of the other cast members in the finale, sharing that Gina, 36, has set three goals for herself in 2021: giving avictim’s impact statementat her ex-husband’s upcoming trial, celebrating her one-year anniversary with boyfriendTravis Mullenand “not going overboard with new hairstyles.”
Emily’s update noted that throughout the past season, she had a hip replacement, removed her breast implants andlost 20 pounds— gaining “a whole lot of fun Emily in the process.”
NewcomerElizabeth Lyn Vargasbeganworking through her pastwith a therapist and finalized her divorce, andShannon Beadorstrengthened herrelationship with boyfriend John Janssenafter struggling through quarantine together.
As for Kelly, 45, shewed Rick Leventhalon her “ideal date” of 10/10/2020, with none of her costars in attendance.
source: people.com
