Meet RHOC Newbie Carmella Garcia: Mom of 4 and Playboy Alum

Carmella Garcia is the newest addition to “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” and she already predicts she may be responsible for much of the season 20 drama.

The Ohio native is a real estate agent, developer and mom of four who splits her time between Corona Del Mar and Rancho Santa Fe. Carmella also has a surprising past that includes modeling, Playboy and WWE.

“I feel like people either love me or they hate me or they can’t live without me,” Carmella told BravoTV.com in April.

When asked who caused the most drama during filming, the newcomer pointed to herself.

“Probably me,” she admitted. “Just because I’m the new person.”

The RHOC Newbie Says She Came In and Did Her Own Thing

Carmella moved to Los Angeles after turning 18 to pursue modeling, according to a 2022 appearance on the “Girls Next Level” podcast.

She later became a Playboy Playmate of the Year and worked as a WWE wrestler. Today, Carmella works in real estate and development with The Oppenheim Group’s Corona Del Mar office.

Her willingness to speak her mind could make just as much of an impression as her résumé.

“I think I just came in, and I just do me. And it was either gonna go one of two ways,” Carmella said. “It was either going to be accepted or not, and I was OK with either side of it, but I think we’re going strong at this point.”

Carmella shares four children with her ex-husband, retired NFL quarterback Jeff Garcia. She has two daughters, Presley, 18, and Faith, 14, and two sons, Jason, 17, and Jax, 15.

With Presley heading to college, Carmella is also entering a new phase of her own life.

“My 40s are my rebrand,” she said.

“For the last 20 years I’ve been selfless and I get to be a little selfish and start to take little bits of my life back and be able to settle in and be me again,” she continued. “I feel like you lose your identity as a mom.”

Carmella is currently single, although she admits she has dated someone on and off for the past 10 years.

Carmella Garcia Is Ready to Take on Vicki Gunvalson in RHOC Season 20

According to Carmella’s official Bravo cast bio, she considers herself a “girls’ girl” and quickly makes friends. However, some of her new castmates begin questioning her “choices and motives.”

The bio also teases that Carmella “isn’t intimidated easily” and will clash with Vicki Gunvalson.

The season 20 trailer offers a first look at that drama. Jennifer Pedranti introduces Carmella to the group, while another scene shows the newcomer facing off with Vicki.

Viewers will also see Carmella’s life at home with her children as she balances motherhood, dating and her real estate career.

“The Real Housewives of Orange County” season 20 premieres Thursday, July 9, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo. New episodes stream the next day on Peacock.

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About Perry Carpenter

Perry Carpenter has been covering entertainment news for more than 20 years — and yes, she absolutely has opinions about the latest Bravo casting shake-ups. Throughout her career, she has specialized in celebrity news and television, with a particular obsession for all things Bravo, "The Challenge," "Outlander," of course, Travis & Taylor, and the ever-expanding Taylor Sheridan universe. A member of the International Association of Professional Writers and Editors, Perry has built a storied freelance career covering pop culture's biggest moments and smallest Easter eggs. Her work has appeared in Showbiz Cheatsheet, Daily Express, Radar Online, and on her Muck Rack profile.