Braunwyn Windham-Burke confirms new romance with Fernanda Rocha… after being fired from RHOC

She’s standing strong after a tumultuous year.

And Braunwyn Windham-Burke confirmed she’s ‘definitely dating’ former Real Housewives of Orange County star Fernanda Rocha.

The 43-year-old reality star admitted that the fitness instructor has been ‘an amazing support’ amid a somewhat chaotic time in life after she was fired from RHOC.

Braunwyn chatted about her new relationship at the GUARDaHEART Foundation’s Unmasked Heart Disease event.  

‘We have been hanging out,’ Braunwyn gushed to E! News. ‘We are close and she’s been an amazing support to me. I’m glad I met her. I will say this: There have been some rumors about when we went from being friends to a little bit more than friends. 

‘It was after she got divorced so there’s nothing salacious like that happening. We’ve been hanging out for awhile. We didn’t become more than friends until recently. She’s definitely special.’ 

Braunwyn noted that Fernanda is a ‘very steady, very level-headed force,’ qualities she appreciates in a significant other. 

‘I have a tendency to spiral into over the top emotions as anyone in a reality show should, and she brings me back down to center,’ Braunwyn said. ‘She’s really brought out a softer side of me. 

‘I’ve been in the same relationship for most of my life so she’s taught me about compromise and meeting someone in the middle. I haven’t really dated much because I’ve been with Sean since I was 18. But she’s just been patient and understanding and we’re having a great time.’

Braunwyn has been married to her husband, Sean Burke, for 20 years and has every intention of staying married despite coming out as a lesbian last year.

The couple have seven children: Bella, 20, Rowan, 18, Jacob, 15, twins Curran and Caden, seven, Koa, four and Hazel, two. 

‘I would love for Sean to find someone,’ Braunwyn said. ‘It’s one of the reasons that we know we have to go in a different direction, but we’ll always be a family … What I have with Fernanda is what I want him to have with someone else. It took me awhile to get there, but we’ve been together for 26 years.’ 

She revealed there’s ‘no reason’ to divorce as the couple aren’t fighting and get along well.  

‘We have been together 26 years so we’re not in any rush to get divorced. Eventually, maybe one of us will want to get remarried and of course that would happen,’ she said. ‘For me, this is the reality version of modern family. We are creating something that we haven’t seen. You can be married outside the box and have it work as long as you’re happy.’ 

Braunwyn admitted she’s still ‘confused’ about her recent firing from the Real Housewives of Orange County after only two seasons on the show. Controversial castmate Kelly Dodd and newcomer Elizabeth Vargas were also let go to make room for the return of Heather Dubrow, with rumors of Tamra Judge rejoining the program.

‘I would have loved to showcase a healthy, lesbian relationship,’ the mother-of-seven said. ‘I think it’s way past time.’