Braunwyn Windham-Burke Speaks Out on Shannon Beador’s DUI Arrest

The Real Housewives of Orange County alum, Braunwyn Windham-Burke, offers her thoughts on her former costar Shannon Beador’s recent DUI arrest.

The Real Housewives of Orange County alum, Braunwyn Windham-Burke, spoke out about her former costar Shannon Beador’s recent DUI arrest in an exclusive statement to Us Weekly. Windham-Burke, who has been open about her own sobriety journey, expressed concern for Beador while emphasizing the seriousness of drinking and driving.

A Hard Year for Shannon Beador

“I think Shannon has been going through a hard year. Obviously, what happened is not OK. You should never drink and drive,” stated Windham-Burke. Despite the unfortunate incident, Windham-Burke was relieved that no one was hurt. She hopes that this experience serves as an eye-opening moment for Beador and a catalyst for positive change.

Transformation through Sobriety

As someone who was once a “great drinking buddy” with Beador during their time on RHOC, Windham-Burke understands the struggles associated with alcohol consumption. Windham-Burke acknowledged that she herself did things she is not proud of while drinking but emphasized that she is now a different person since entering sobriety.

“The moment I decided to put the bottle down, that is the moment I became the person I was meant to be. People who are drinking will look for any excuse as to why their drinking is not an issue,” Windham-Burke shared with Us Weekly.

Incident Details

The DUI incident occurred on September 16 when Beador allegedly drove onto a residential property in Newport Beach, California. TMZ reported that she clipped the house while parking her car and was subsequently charged with two misdemeanors, including a DUI. Beador’s car was seized, and she was released without bond.

Accepting Responsibility

Beador’s attorney, Michael Fell, spoke on her behalf, expressing her guilt and remorse regarding the incident. He stated, “She is extremely apologetic and remorseful. We will be awaiting the official information on this case as it becomes available, and Shannon is prepared to accept full responsibility for her actions.”

Additionally, Beador’s friend, Jeff Lewis, shared that she is entering counseling and taking accountability for her actions. While Lewis doesn’t believe Beador is an alcoholic, he acknowledged her personal struggles and the potential reliance on alcohol during this time.

Promoting Responsible Drinking

Three days prior to the incident, Beador and Vicki Gunvalson discussed drinking on the show in an interview with Us Weekly. They acknowledged the show’s promotion of having fun and consuming alcohol, but emphasized the importance of controlling one’s own actions. Gunvalson added, “It’s just when you film seven hours in a day and one [hour] of it or a half hour of it is whooping it up on a high level, that’s what they’re going to show because that’s fun.”

Closing Thoughts

In conclusion, Braunwyn Windham-Burke has expressed her concerns and hopes for Shannon Beador following her DUI arrest. Windham-Burke’s own journey to sobriety has provided her with perspective on the dangers of alcohol and the potential for positive change. It is important for all individuals to understand the serious consequences of drinking and driving and take responsibility for their actions.