Over the years, we've seen the countless ways that reality shows can tear someone down. Look at the number of the Housewives who have divorced since joining the show, some are facing criminal charges, and one of them went to prison. Shit can get very real, and on the new season of the Real Housewives of Orange County, no one knows that quite like Gina Kirschenheiter.

During her first season (Season 13), she was refreshing and new, but at the same time, she felt familiar. She felt like someone you knew; someone you've hung out with before. Then, over the course of the next three seasons, the rookie sheen wore off, and we got deep with Gina.

We saw her have a rough time dealing with her divorce from her ex-husband Matt Kirschenheiter, and we watched as the traumatic events unfolded in the aftermath. It was dark, but after speaking with Gina, she is able to see the light now.

Gina's come out on the other side of that deeply distressing experience and tells me how her relationship is with Matt now, what it's like to watch the episodes back, and how the producers on the show are the only ones who were really able to help her.

Samantha Bush for The Dipp:
In the Season 16 premiere, we watched you really open up to Emily about giving your victim impact statement. First of all, I just want to commend you on doing that because I know it helped a lot of women watching. So, how is your relationship with Matt now?

Gina Kirschenheiter:
Oh, it gives me chills because I feel like I've like put that behind me. It's weird to revisit it because for so long, even on the show, I didn't think I would ever move past these things. And then you have an interview where you're just talking and not even thinking about the past, because it doesn't affect my life anymore. And that feels really good. Matt and I have done the necessary things that we needed to do to move beyond that and past that. And I'm very proud of that.

And I'm really happy for myself. I'm really happy for Matt. And having my children, we co-parent, and we get along well, we always put our kids first and I'm really proud of that. And, you know, to say we went through the worst time ever and he came out of it and we're alright. We put the kids always first and we're good.

We're good co-parents, we were just really, really bad at being married.

Sam:
I've talked to several Housewives about this before, like, you're living something in the moment that you're filming and then you have to wait to rewatch it and then you have to relive it all again. And then you wait and then you have the reunion where you have to rehash everything.

Gina:
It's really hard. I remember watching the first episode and obviously, the victim impact scene and hearing that, that was the worst day. It was horrifying for so many reasons, but to have been messed up from that and to have walked through that, and then see myself in that interview day, that was tough.

And then I was messed up from that interview. I do think it's an interesting position to be in because you know, we're on a show, we're a cast, but different people approach it differently. And I certainly approach it from an open mindset. And it's interesting to me because on one hand it's like, oh my God, I get so nervous and anxious and anxiety over the fact that like, did I overshare?

But in another way, when I look back in retrospect, I was a very closed person about things like that and having the show and this, you know, people asking me, sitting me in a chair and asking me questions about things that I do not want to talk about, putting me in a position where I have to acknowledge those feelings and emotions and get them out has been one of the most positive, impactful things in my life.

Even though you see me crying all the time, it actually has been really good.

Sam:
I like your perspective on it because I feel like, you know, a lot of women, they want to shy away from a lot of things. And I think it's really great that you kind of face it all head on.

Gina:
It's easier to shy away from the issues. And I was so good at doing that. And now, now I've made the choice of, I'm going to be open. I'm going to share the stuff. And then as you share, everybody's asking you more questions. And I was like, well, if you ask me the question, I will tell you the answer. It really is good for me. It's very liberating, cathartic. And it helped me heal. It's just so bizarre.

I know a lot of it is silly and trivial, like the show, but it also really helped me through a really dark time and helped me feel. And I think it helped me get back on my feet and land me in a really good place and my family in a really good place.

RHOC airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on Bravo.