Tamra Judge is reinventing herself once again! The Real Housewives of Orange County mainstay is embracing a new phase of her life—being an empty nester—by diving into the 16th season of the OG Bravo franchise. Joined once again by reinstated orange holder Vicki Gunvalson, Judge is more determined than ever to whoop it up with the ladies after a difficult Season 19 reunion. “I’m still very, very hurt and damaged by that experience,” said Judge. “I’m just tippy-toeing around seeing who truly is my friend.”

At this point in the season, Judge and her former bestie, Shannon Storms Beador, are still on the outs . “Shannon’s just one of those people who really holds a grudge forever,” said Judge simply. However, Judge confirmed that the two have made progress in their friendship. “Things are going in the right direction.” When asked if the Tres Amigas will ever be back together , Judge gave fans reason to hope. “We really are trying,” said Judge. “We’re in a good place right now.”

Judge could use all the friends she can get. After Jennifer Pedanti reported to Judge that Heather Dubrow was talking about her behind her back, Judge removed herself from the situation instead of confronting Dubrow at her Heels and Hearts party. “I didn’t understand where Jennifer was coming from,” said Judge, noting the two of them “weren’t exactly in the best of places” at the time. “I wanted hear Heather’s side of the story , but I didn’t want to hear it that night,” said Judge.

Judge stopped by the Decider studio to talk about the season, tease a “calmer Tamra,” and reveal who will have the most to answer for at the Season 20 reunion.

DECIDER: You and Vicki Gunvalson clearly haven’t missed a beat in your friendship. What was it like to film with her again as a fellow orange holder?

TAMRA JUDGE: It was like being home. It was just so natural and easy. I have so much fun with her. Our chemistry together is so good. There’s a great scene with us in last week’s episode. I texted her like, “I am cracking up just watching us.” It’s crazy.

I did see that Instagram video you posted from last week’s episode of you, Vicki and Shannon Beador outside of Hamburger Mary’s. Are the Tres Amigas back?

We’re trying. We really are trying. We’re at a good place right now. Vicki and I are always good. With Shannon… I think things are going in the right direction.

You’ve got so much going on with your family and your multiple businesses and your successful podcasting network. What are viewers going to see from you this season?

They are going to see a little bit of a calmer Tamra. Maybe somebody that thinks before she reacts [laughs]. While my daughter is a big part of the show, I’m now an empty nester. I’ve officially got no kids at home. I’ve been raising kids for 40 years, and now I’m just in a different phase of my life.

This season starts off with you and Shannon in a precarious place, but Vicki teased when she spoke to us last week that you two “go through a transition” as time goes on. Is that accurate? Is there an evolution in your friendship?

Vicki is not wrong. Shannon and I definitely move forward… and then take one step back and then move forward again. [Laughs] I’m doing everything I can over here. Shannon’s just one of those people who really holds a grudge forever. It’s a lot. I just want her to move on. Just move on!

A lot was said about a showdown between you and Shannon at the Quiet Woman during the filming of Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip. Do you regret how things went down at that event? What would you have done differently?

I don’t think the confrontation was as big a deal as people are making it out to be. We had words and somebody tried to reunite us. I said, “I’ve been trying.” She gave me some attitude and then made fun of my outfit. Things just escalated from there.

Jen shakes the foundation of your friendship with Heather by reporting to you that Heather allegedly talks about you behind your back and “puts you in a box.” Why did you choose to walk out and digest what you were told instead of confronting Heather then and there?

I didn’t understand where Jennifer was coming from. We weren’t exactly in the best of places. Why was she giving me this information? She was close with Heather and then telling me Heather is talking about me behind my back? I didn’t trust her completely at that moment, and I wanted to think about it. I wanted hear Heather’s side of the story first, but I didn’t want to hear it that night.

Do you think Jen was coming to you as a friend with this information or was she trying to stir the pot?

She was definitely trying to stir the pot.

In this week’s episode, you do have a really candid sit down with Heather about the state of your friendship.

Yeah, I’m not a serial killer.

Definitely not! Were you satisfied with her explanation of events? Were you glad she admitted to some wrong doing like talking about you behind your back?

Yeah, it was fine. I thought that it was a great scene. I think that I get a lot of hell on this show for moving the storyline along and bringing up the tough stuff. Now, let them do it [laughs].

You also ask Heather if she minimizes your friendship when she’s with the “Tamra haters.” At this point in the season, who are the Tamra haters?

Things turn around pretty quickly from last reunion. However, I’m still very, very hurt and damaged by that experience. I’m just tippy-toeing around seeing who truly is my friend. So that’s to be determined.

What can you say about your friendship journey with Heather this season? How are you two today?

Oh, we’re good. We’re great. She was texting me yesterday. We all talk behind each other’s backs at some point. It’s the nature of the show. I—still to this day—don’t know what she actually said about me. Maybe we’ll find out at the reunion. Maybe!

It’s probably too early to talk about the reunion, but when the time comes, who do you think will have the most to answer for and why?

Vicki’s got a lot to answer for. Heather—for her part during the first half of the season—will have a lot answer for. To be honest, Jen’s being quite the little instigator this season. We all do our fair share of that. We do our jobs. We have great conversations, and we question people about certain things. There was a lot of conflict and resolution this season. We never really got stuck on the same thing for very long. It’s a really good season. Everybody is really close.

Real Housewives Of Orange County airs Thursday nights at 8PM ET on Bravo.