RHOC's Alexis Bellino Shares Major Update on Upcoming John Janssen Engagement

Alexis Bellino has officially found her soulmate.

In fact, The Real Housewives of Orange County star revealed that after nearly a year of dating, she and boyfriend John Janssen plan on getting engaged in the very near future.

"We have looked at engagement rings," the Bravo star exclusively told E! News. "We are talking about the future for sure."

After it was revealed last December that Alexis was romancing the ex of costar Shannon Beador, the 47-year-old said her relationship with John has gotten infinitely stronger.

"We're amazing," she gushed. "It gets better every day. We both are kind of like 'pinch me' in the fact that we truly found like a best friend and someone that we want to ride the rest of this life out with together. It's pretty amazing."

And Alexis thinks doubters of their romance might have a change of heart after watching RHOC's upcoming 18th season.

"I'm excited for everyone to honestly understand that it is organic. We've had backlash consistently since the time we met," she explained. "People think we're doing this as a facade and it's like no, this is reality and we are in love. Our kids are a group now, our dogs are acclimated, so we're moving forward."

One person who probably won't be celebrating Alexis and John's upcoming engagement? Shannon, who didn't exactly give Alexis a warm welcome when she returned to RHOC for season 18.

"I was very nervous," Alexis said of coming back this year. "I contemplated not even going back because I I knew what I was throwing myself into. But also I thought to myself, 'Why am I not going to do something I want to do just because I'm dating somebody else's ex-boyfriend?'"

However, Alexis, who left the series in 2013 after season eight, noted, "I didn't know Shannon so I did not break girl code. I didn't owe anyone anything and I wasn't doing anything to rub anything in anyone's face. It was literally timing and that's why it's reality TV, because you cannot write this script."

See Alexis make waves in the O.C. when The Real Housewives of Orange County returns Thursday, July 11, at 9 p.m. on Bravo.

And keep reading to see the stunning new cast photos and to learn more about season 18.

Following a very difficult year, Shannon Beador is doing her best to move forward as she faces the consequences from her DUI.  With her twins in college, this empty-nester is left trying to mend her fractured friendships. However, she’s continuously in the hot seat as her life choices are questioned. Things get awkward for Shannon when her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend, Alexis Bellino, threatens to bring damaging information about her past.

No longer a Tres Amiga, Tamra Judge is putting her energy into developing stronger friendships and helping her daughter Sophia, who recently turned 18, navigate her gap year.  As Tamra and Eddie enjoy a new home in Big Bear, they also decide it might be time to sell their longtime home in OC. Tamra’s damaged friendship with Shannon is hotly contested as she wonders if Shannon is truly remorseful for her accident. Also, her new improved friendship with Jennifer is put to the test when Eddie and Ryan get into a heated debate. 

A longtime friend of Heather and Emily, Alexis Bellino comes in full force ready to make waves. She finds her footing with most of the ladies and starts fresh with Tamra, but she instantly finds herself on shaky ground with Shannon as they face off in a series of high-stakes disputes. 

Emily Simpson has gone through an incredible transformation after losing 40 pounds and finds herself trying to adjust to her new healthy lifestyle. Her obsession with the gym has affected her relationship with food, family and friends. When she’s not helping the wrongly convicted as a part of the California Innocence Project, she’s questioning the ladies on everything from integrity to intentions. Her closeness with Tamra causes those around her to wonder if Emily is taking her opinions too far. 

Jennifer Pedranti is ready for a fresh start with Tamra while also trying to prove that her boyfriend, Ryan, is worthy of redemption. She feels a lot of her life is up in the air as she waits for her divorce to be finalized and figures out her financial future. While some of the ladies in the group wonder if she has truly learned from her past mistakes, Jennifer finds some commonality with new housewife Katie. As she strives to make new changes and keep her head afloat, it all culminates when Ryan’s name is involved in a national bombshell that rocks Orange County.

Gina Kirschenheiter has leveled up as a realtor, but her professional reputation is called into question after one of the ladies puts her in a sticky situation. Her relationship with Travis takes an unconventional turn when deciding she wants to live separately, but stay together. On top of this, as Gina watches bestie Emily get close to Tamra, she wonders if their friendship will remain the same.

Always on the move, Heather Dubrow and husband Terry find themselves routinely commuting between Orange County and their new estate in Beverly Hills. Their Balboa Bay Club penthouse suite serves as home base with Terry’s practice and his mother around the corner. After many years of friendship, Heather and Gina find themselves at odds over loyalty and betrayal. Heather isn’t quick to warm up to new housewife Katie, and their relationship takes a wrong turn when Katie confronts her about an old rumor. 

New to Orange County, Katie Ginella and her husband, professional golf journalist Matt Ginella, recently moved from San Diego. She’s looking to expand her circle of friends while working to launch her own cocktail line. Now ready to learn more about her Korean heritage and connect to her roots, Katie decides to explore her adoption further and meet her birth mother. After meeting the ladies, Katie immediately finds herself smack dab in the middle of the drama and gets a quick lesson in how loyalty works in the OC. 

(E! and Bravo are both part of the NBCUniversal family)

Check out Peacock to binge your favorite NBCU TV shows and movies, live sports and more!