Alexis Bellino Leaves 'Real Housewives of Orange County,' Makes Official Statement

After much speculation, Alexis Bellino finally admitted she will not be returning to "The Real Housewives of Orange County."

"After three seasons of appearing on 'The Real Housewives of Orange County,' I have made the difficult decision not to return for season 8," she told People magazine. "Although Bravo made me a very generous offer and I'm thankful to have had this experience, I will be leaving the show behind to focus on my family and other opportunities." 

Although she claimed she was asked back on the show, Tamra Barney commented on Twitter that this is not the case. 

"Let's just say the story I read and what I was told does not match," Barney tweeted on Sept. 18. "In my opinion her story is never straight! Not the same story I was told ...let's keep it at that...Who leaves a successful show?"

An E! News source said, "She wasn't invited back. The crew was tired of her complaining and diva ways. They were also tired of her fame-seeking husband."

Sources close to Bellino, however, claim she does not want to deal with the drama that the show brings.

"Alexis doesn't want to be a part of the show," a source told RadarOnline of her decision to quit. "She wants to have a normal life with her family, and that doesn't include all of the drama that comes with being on the show. Alexis knows that her children are the most important thing in her life, not being famous or being on television, so she made the decision to not be on the show and to return to her regular life." 

An Us Weekly insider confirmed similar sentiments: "Alexis was really tired of being bullied and chose home and family life over celebrity."

Though she is said to have begun contract negotiations with Bravo, Us Weekly reported that Bellino "wanted to go back to her simple life in Orange County."

"I am so grateful to have gone through this amazing journey and to have met so many incredible fans," Bellino said in her People magazine statement. "My heart is at peace and I remain so excited for my future." 

No Bravo reps have commented yet.