Emily Simpson hasn’t been shy about sharing her marital issues with Shane Simpson, and she opened up to her castmates with new details about a past problem during The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 20.
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The Real Housewives of Orange County airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo. Episodes stream next day on Peacock.
While talking with Carmella Garcia during a Las Vegas getaway in Episode 7, Emily admitted to “softening” herself for her husband. “I had to do that with Shane,” she revealed during RHOC’s Aug. 20 episode. “Because I was so pissed at him, and I had so much resentment—we hadn’t talked for weeks. It was bad.”
She recalled, “[We were] overwhelmed with kids, and all the things, and then I just made the first move.”
Emily conceded she would “call [herself] a hard-ass” when it comes to her marriage and how she treats Shane. “I’m always intense. I’ve always been like that,” she confessed to producers. “But I do know that Shane would like it if I showed more gratitude, and initiated more things, and I need to do that more.”
Emily Simpson opens up about her marriage issues with Shane Simpson
After seasons of ups and downs for the couple, it doesn’t appear as if their problems are fully resolved. The RHOC Season 20 trailer teases more trouble for the pair still to come.
In the preview, Jennifer Pedranti asks Emily about her relationship with Shane, and comments, “You seem like you’re at your end.” Emily ominously responds, “I don’t know. Maybe.”
The health problems with Emily and Shane’s son, Luke, have been a big stressor in their marriage, as Emily admitted they began parenting differently.
“Shane parents in a very ‘everything will be fine’ kind of way, and I parent in a ‘it’s the end of the world, what are we going to do?’” Emily explained during a July 2025 interview with Bravo Insider. “So, he tells me that he does that because he’s trying to bridge the gap and bring me down a little, where I find it frustrating because I feel like he’s not taking things as seriously as he should.”
RELATED: Emily Simpson Gives a “Hard” Update on Son Luke’s Health Issues: “That Was a Big Stressor”
During RHOC Season 19, Emily shared with producers that she often just wanted more support from Shane while parenting. “I need, ‘I know that it’s really difficult. I know that you have a lot of emotions. You’re valid in having those. We’re gonna work together. We’re gonna make it through together.’ And I don’t hear that,” she confessed.
Where do Emily and Shane Simpson stand today?
Although they’ve had highs and lows on RHOC, Emily recently revealed that she and Shane’s marriage is stronger than ever. She posted pictures of their recent getaway to the Bahamas with their three children on her Instagram on Aug. 12, and wrote in the caption, “We had the best family vacation.”
The photos included she and Shane in the pool with their children, as well as the couple grabbing some tropical drinks.
RELATED: Shane Simpson Gives His Unfiltered Opinion on Life With Emily: “I Do Wish We Had…”
Back in July, Emily and Shane also took a kids-free getaway to Portugal, and shared snapshots on Instagram of the two exploring Lisbon and Sintra and cruising around on a yacht.
The family also enjoyed a day at Disneyland together in June, and Emily posted an Instagram reel of herself sporting Minnie ears as they all rode attractions like the Haunted Mansion together.
Learn more about Emily and Shane’s joint legal podcast, and how they work together on law-centered projects.
