Adrienne Maloof admitted on March 23 that she had good reason for missing the season three reunion taping for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, despite host Andy Cohen's diss of her absence on air.

Maloof, 51, told Celebuzz at a birthday party at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles that she was binded under legal terms not to talk about her personal life.

"I think that Andy has to understand that [ex-husband] Paul [Nassif] and I were under a gag order from the court system, not to be able to speak about our marriage, our children, our divorce," she said. "So, therefore, since that was the whole season there wasn't really much to talk about. And knowing me being so passionate about my family and my kids, I didn't trust myself, because I have that fiery instinct and I just didn't want to take that chance."

Maloof added that she is now "starting new and fresh and living with some dignity."

Taping for the reunion special took place on March 1 and the special will air on Monday following the season finale of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. In a preview video for the reunion special, Cohen is shown calling Maloof's actions "frustrating" for the audience, adding that she is not returning for season four of the Bravo show. He also said Maloof missed an opportunity to "tell her side of the story" and clear her name of rumors circulating about her personal life.

"Not only is she absent tonight, but she won't be on the show next season," Cohen said. "Adrienne Maloof's final act as a Housewife was NOT showing up tonight."

Maloof confirmed in early March her decision to not return for season four of the show, following news of Camille Grammer's departure as well.

The season finale of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills airs Monday at 8/7 p.m. Central on Bravo. The episode will be followed by the reunion special, airing at 9 p.m. ET.