The RHOC cast member admitted that it was a “learning lesson” for Sophia Barney when she returned to filming.
When Season 18 of The Real Housewives of Orange County premiered on July 11, Tamra Judge reintroduced viewers to someone they hadn’t seen in over a decade: her youngest daughter, Sophia Barney.
Fans first met the now-teen when Tamra joined the show back in Season 3, which aired in 2007. Following Tamra’s divorce from Simon Barney, Sophia stopped appearing in front of the cameras.
Once she turned 18, Sophia decided to pop back up on the show.
During a recent chat with Decider, Tamra opened up about what it was like to film with Sophia again.
“It was so hard for me to have her back on the show because she’s my girl and I protect her at all costs,” Tamra told the outlet. “I know how the audience can be at times. I told her, ‘This is your choice if you want to do this.’ I never pressured her at all.”
After hearing what her mom had to say, Sophia did ultimately choose to film.
“She decided to start filming and was pretty nervous the first five times or so that the cameras were on,” Tamra continued. “I kept checking in with her to make sure she was OK and wanted to keep going.”
Tamra teased that, as the season progresses, Sophia gets more comfortable in front of the cameras.
“Towards the end of the season, she starts opening up more and it’s wonderful,” Tamra continued. “It was a little bit of a learning lesson for her, but she had a good time.”
Sophia in a tattoo shop during The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 18, Episode 1. Photo: Bravo
All about Tamra Judge’s daughter, Sophia Barney
Sophia, who was born in 2005, is the youngest child of Tamra and her ex-husband, Simon. Sophia and her older siblings, Spencer Barney, Sidney Barney, and Ryan Vieth (who Tamra shares with her first ex-husband), all appeared on RHOC when Tamra and Simon were still married.
Following their split in 2011, Tamra’s three youngest children stopped filming. Spencer later chose to film again once he turned 18, and Sophia followed suit for Season 18.
Tamra opened up about Sophia’s return to the show in an interview on the Season 18 premiere.
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“You haven’t seen Sophia in over 10 years because her dad would not sign the agreement to allow her to film,” Tamra explained. “She’s been living with me this entire time, and she’s now 18 and getting ready to go to college. It’s so funny, because Sophia is so chill. She’s just a very kind, kind soul. Clearly, I’m not like that. She’s such a good kid, I don’t know where the hell it came from.”
Watch new episodes of The Real Housewives of Orange County on Thursdays at 9/8c on Bravo. Stream the next day on Peacock.