TAMRA Judge quit The Real Housewives of Orange County because her demotion meant taking a serious pay cut.
Tamra, 52, announced on Saturday night that she’s leaving the Bravo series after turning down a limited role.
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A source told RadarOnline that Bravo bosses wanted Tamra to be a “bridge” from the old cast to the new in the upcoming season.
The insider told the website: “Tamra got her pick up contract letter last, after the other ladies, and it had major conditions in it. She was even more than demoted to a friend role. She’d have very little camera time.”
The new role meant she would earn “next to nothing in reality TV terms.”
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The insider continued: “She would go from $900,000 a season to $20,000 an episode for just three show appearances, which would add up to $60,000 total.
“It was humiliating. So Tamra walked away.”
Tamra wrote on Instagram on Saturday: “It’s been a wild 12 years. But it’s time for me to move on. I’m sad to go, but I’ very excited about my future. Love you guys.”
She revealed in a statement to PEOPLE: “It’s been a wild ride, and after all these years, I’m looking forward to life away from the cameras.
“I was offered a chance to come back to the show in a limited role, but would prefer to walk away on my own terms.”
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The Sun reported executives attempted to demote her because her storyline was stale.
The insider said: “She was making too much money after so many seasons.
“It wasn’t worth it to them anymore to keep her full-time.”
Tamra joined the show in 2007 for Season 3.
After the announcement, Tamra unfollowed all of her co-stars on Instagram.
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Her departure came one day after OG Vicki Gunvalson, 57, who is the only one she still follows, announced her exit from the Bravo show.
She wrote on Instagram after 14 seasons with the series: “I will always be the OG of the OC, but it’s time to say goodbye to The Real Housewives of Orange County.
“It’s been an incredible ride for 14 years and I want thank all of you for your support, for your love and for ‘whooping it up’ with me along the way.”
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She continued that she’s been working on “exciting, empowering and inspirational” projects, including podcast Whoop It Up With Vicki.
The Bravo star ended the statement with: “I love all my fans, and I want to thank Bravo and Evolution for this incredible experience which my family and I have will never forget.”
As for the rest of the cast, The Sun previously reported Shannon Beador, Kelly Dodd and Gina Kirschenheiter are safe from being cut.
Braunwyn Windham-Burke and Emily Simpson are up in the air.
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