Lauri Peterson is a former main and recurring cast member on The Real Housewives of Orange County.
Casting[]
Peterson (then Waring) made up one of the five original cast members on the first season of The Real Housewives of Orange County (the first ever season of The Real Housewives franchise). She remained on the show until the third episode of the third season after feeling that she has to focus on her family as her Son’s battle with drug addiction was becoming increasingly worse.
She made a ‘Guest Appearance’ during the show’s fifth season finale and later returned in a recurring capacity during the show’s eighth season as she helped former co-star, Tamra Judge, with her wedding duties and spread some gossip about former co-star and boss, Vicki Gunvalson. She has not returned since to the show.
Storylines[]
Season 1[]
TBA
Season 2[]
TBA
Season 3[]
TBA
Season 4[]
TBA
Friendships[]
Vicki Gunvalson[]
Season 1[]
Vicki and Lauri talk about an upcoming insurance convention in Is It Hunting Season, Yet. Vicki thinks Lauri is not ambitious enough, and is frustrated. Lauri is oblivious and appreciates her assumed work schedule flexibility granted by Vicki.
Vicki and Lauri get ready to go to the insurance conference in New Orleans in Upgrading Has Nothing To Do With You Honey. Lauri arranged a home visit botox appointment for Vicki and herself. Vicki is being dramatic while Briana and Michael spectate with glee and judgment. Lauri wants to look "young and attractive" at the conference. Vicki and Lauri both reinforce house rules to their daughters before leaving for New Orleans. They meet with Vicki's sister Lisa, who also sells insurance. Lauri lost her luggage. Lisa and Vicki are staying at a luxury hotel while Lauri has to pay for the hotel out of her pocket so she has to stay somewhere more affordable. Vicki hopes to ignite Lauri's ambition for insurance at the convention. Lauri is only selling insurance because she needs to support her and the kids. Vicki and Lauri talk about the standing ovation she received for selling $500,000 in new policies poolside. Vicki and Lisa have a passion in long term care insurance because when their father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's their mom had to spend their retirement savings caring for him. Lauri connects with Vicki as her father had suffered a stroke and the cost of caring decimated her family. Lauri and Vicki go out at night, Lauri states she and Vicki had developed a stronger bond, prior to the trip their relationship was strictly business.
Vicki and Lauri have a drink and enjoy Vicki's jacuzzi after a hard work day in Cut The ‘P’ and ‘Lem’ Out of Problem and You Get ROB. Both ladies have gotten close and consider each other very good friends. Michael and his friends joins the ladies, they think Lauri is hot and a MILF. Lauri is flattered. Vicki thinks Lauri and her would not be as good of friends they are without the show in Reunion.
Jeana Keough[]
Season 1[]
Jeana invites all the ladies to a BBQ at her house in Talk, Talk, Talk. In The Finale, Jeana brings Kara along with Vicki and Lauri to go diamond shopping with Barbara Parker, Jewelry Broker. Lauri is excited but does not have the money to buy diamonds, however, she does buy a $1000 necklace and feels guilty.
Jo De La Rosa[]
Season 1[]
Jo witnessed Slade and Lauri together at a club in Reunion, she went up to Slade and acknowledges that she sees them. Slade calls and sends Jo flowers. Jo feels betrayed by Lauri. Later on, the ladies talk about Jo and Lauri both dated Slade, Jo and Lauri puts it behind them.
Family[]
Ashley Zarlin[]
Season 1[]
Ashley visits Lauri and announces that she's moving back home with her in Meet The Wives. Lauri is worried about supporting a third child, and a dog. Lauri meets with her friend for drinks and refreshes her on the Ashley situation. Lauri reveals she has given Ashley two weeks to find a job and enroll in school. Lauri grieves her sudden lost of privacy. Ashley throws a party despite Lauri's warning while Lauri is out of town in New Orleans in in Upgrading Has Nothing To Do With You Honey.
Lauri found out Ashley skipped work Monday in Talk, Talk, Talk, their mutual boss, Vicki is not happy about it. Later on, Lauri runs into Ashley on the way home, Ashley cannot find her car. The car was repossessed as the down payment was not paid. Lauri does not want to bail Ashley out as Ashley is an adult. Lauri questions Ashley on what did she spend the money she had given her prior on. The mother daughter argue, Lauri relented on helping Ashley out because she does not have the time to drive Ashley around. Lauri tells Ashley about the Playboy party in Shocking News, she and Lorelei had a blast. Lauri goes on a family beach day, with Ashley arriving separately. Lauri's situationship Steve also attend. Lauri and Ashley had an argument the previous night regarding responsibilities. Ashley arrives with her friends and they have a good time.
Lauri comes home to find that Ashley had moved out in The Finale. Lauri revealed they were having problems in the past few weeks. Lauri thinks Ashley oversteps her personal life. Ashley does not like Steve and thinks he's a "jerk". Lauri states her kids cannot tell her who to date. Lauri states the show magnifies the bratty and spoiled sides of Ashley in Reunion, and Ashley has actually moved back in, while juggling two jobs and going to school. Later on The ladies asked Lauri if she punished Ashley for having a party while explicitly told not to do so. Lauri jokes Ashley's car is already repossessed so she can't take anything else away from her. Lauri says Ashley has gotten a lot of hate mails for her behaviors portrayed on the show.
Josh Waring[]
Season 1[]
Josh's principal calls Lauri in Is It Hunting Season, Yet?, Josh is in juvenile hall. A teacher thought they see Josh with drugs, and with Josh's previous record law enforcement is contacted. Ashley is reluctant to handle the insurance company by herself but the situation requires Lauri's immediate attention. Lauri reminisces her life pre-divorce, and the effects it has on her children. Lauri explains to Sophia about Josh's extended absence. Lauri recalls her intense previous relationship that has lasting effects on Josh. Ashley was from another relationship and on good terms with her biological father while Sophia is too young to understand, so Josh is the one hit hardest from the separation. Lauri recalls an incident where Josh passed out drunk and had to be taken to the hospital. Counseling sessions were had, Josh states he was going through a hard time and was expelled from fighting in junior high. Lauri enrolled Josh in rehab, however, Josh relapsed. Lauri visits Josh at Juvenile Hall, with Sophia's letter to him. Lauri is under a lot of stress and tries to focus on the positive. Lauri goes out with her friend to dinner to decompress. They express frustration in the difficulty of their current dating life.
Sophie tells Lauri that she misses Josh on their way to Juvenile Hall for a hearing in Talk, Talk, Talk, Josh might be released that day. Josh is still held in Juvenile Hall for a court ordered 5 week psychiatric evaluation. Josh's biological father attends as well. Unfortunately Josh was not able to be released as the psychiatrist was absent. Lauri reveals Josh has ADHD and requires medication, which he has not been taking. Josh was charged for felony assault during the scuffle with a teacher when the teacher grabbed Josh for what they think is drugs. Josh's public defender plans for a plea bargain, Josh thinks he will go with it if that can get him home.
Vicki, Lauri, and Lauri's friend Lorelei have dinner in Cut The ‘P’ and ‘Lem’ Out of Problem and You Get ROB. Lauri mentions Josh's hearing is on Monday, Lauri struggles on whether to hire an attorney, and decides that Josh should face consequence for his actions. Therefore letting a public defender represent him. However, Lauri is relieved for the first time in years as she knows Josh is somewhere safe. The ladies console Lauri.
Later on in the same episode, Lauri attends Josh's continuation hearing. Unfortunately, Josh is 2 days short of the 60 day sentence. Lauri is frustrated and exhausted, but insists on not hiring a lawyer is a good lesson for Josh. Sophie, Steve, and Lauri go pick Josh up for the third time. Ashley doesn't want to go. Josh was finally able to go home after 2 months, everyone is overjoyed, they go to dinner. Josh states there was never any drugs, he had to take the plea deal to get out. Though he understands Lauri's decision in not hiring a lawyer. Josh recalls an incident of the boys jumping each other. They took Josh for an haircut. Josh had a lot of time to think in juvie and decides to learn from the experience and hope not to worry Lauri anymore.
Josh is indifferent toward Steve in The Finale but states he's not mature enough for Lauri (Steve is 11 years younger). Josh tells Lauri it's not just her personal life anymore when she brings Steve around them. Lauri states her kids cannot tell her who to date.
Josh was well behaved for a few weeks after getting out of juvie in Reunion, but Lauri could feel negative influences creeping back in as Josh reconnects with people. Therefore Lauri flew Josh out to Idaho to stay with her parents. Josh is now back home and back in school, working at Abercrombie and Fitch as well. Later on the ladies watch Josh's scenes, they empathize, and Lauri states his father is not involved still.
Season 2[]
Josh wasn't able to make going on the boat with Lauri and the Petersons, as he is receiving treatment 2 hours away from Orange County in The Housewives Are Back!. Lauri got Josh out of his program for a day for a beach trip, along with all the children, 7 in total. They run into Shane and his friend, Shane mentions he talked to Jo about the Playboy party to Lauri's surprise. Shane checks in with Josh, Lauri reveals a couple weeks after leaving Juvie, Josh was caught speeding with other underage kids, and has to attend a state run boarding school to finish his education. Lauri feels guilty that Josh only gets to be home on weekends.
Sophie Waring[]
Season 1[]
Lauri spends time with Sophie in Talk, Talk, Talk, Lauri's worried for Sophie due to the tightness between the Sophie and Josh as Josh is away at Juvenile Hall. Lauri takes Sophie horse riding in The Finale, which Lauri has keen memories of growing up on a ranch in Idaho. Lauri is hopeful about the future after a few tough years.
Relationships[]
Phillip Waring[]
Season 1[]
Lauri states she fell on hard times post divorce with Phillip and did not receive any financial support in Meet The Wives. She reminisces her old life behind the gates in contrast of her much smaller townhouse she currently resides in.
Single Life[]
Season 1[]
In Meet The Wives, Lauri goes clubbing with her friend and states she wishes to be in a relationship despite the recent divorce, although it is hard finding a good man. Lauri received Manolo Blahnik shoes from the father of a cast member on Laguna Beach asking her out on a date in Reunion, Lauri had not gone on that date yet. However, there's a new man in Lauri's life.
Steve[]
Season 1[]
Lauri helps out at a rock charity concert for kids with cancer in The Finale. Lauri's situationship Steve's band is performing in the concert. The audience turn out was not great unfortunately. Lauri comes home to find that Ashley had moved out. Lauri revealed they were having problems in the past few weeks. Lauri thinks Ashley oversteps her personal life. Ashley does not like Steve and thinks he's a "jerk". Josh is indifferent toward Steve but states he's not mature enough for Lauri (Steve is 11 years younger). Josh tells Lauri it's not just her personal life anymore when she brings Steve around them. Lauri reveals when she met Steve he was abusing drugs, she cut him off but remained friends after he left rehab. Lauri states her kids cannot tell her who to date. Lauri tells Vicki that she went on vacation with Steve and Josh in Mexico, and Josh saw Steve buying drugs. Lauri is in disbelief Steve did it within the vicinity of Josh, and cut Steve off immediately. Vicki consoles her.
Slade Smiley[]
Season 1[]
In The Finale, it is revealed Slade dated Lauri after breaking up with Jo, but ended up getting back with Jo two week later. In Reunion, Slade told Lauri that Jo and him had completely broken up when they started talking. Lauri corroborated Jo's story of seeing them in the club, but they have since broken up as well.
Season 2[]
Slade calls Lauri in The Housewives Are Back!, to ask if she's going to the Playboy party that Jo is attending.
George Peterson[]
Season 2[]
Lauri met land developer George on a blind date last year. They go on George's boat with their kids in The Housewives Are Back!. Lauri is enjoying the affluent lifestyle once again and thinks George might be the one. Later on Lauri and George have a date at St. Regis, they have been dating for 6 months. George surprises Lauri with a vacation in Europe, which Lauri is ecstatic about.
Gallery[]
To view the Gallery Page of Lauri Peterson, please click here.
Filmography[]
TBA
Taglines[]
| "Are the police involved?" | ||
| "I was poor, I was rich, I was poor again, and you know what, having money is easier." | ||
| "You know what, I’m living the O.C. lifestyle again, I feel like royalty." | ||
| "I still get pampered, I still get treated like a pricness, I deserve it." | ||
Trivia[]
Franchise Facts[]
- She was one of the first five original 'Housewives' that starred on the inaugural season of the entire The Real Housewives franchise.
- She was the third 'Housewife' ever to have a tagline as she was middle in the inaugural season’s intro.
- She was also one of the first four 'Housewives' to appear in a Reunion Special as she, alongside Jo De La Rosa, Vicki Gunvalson and Jeana Keough, sat in the latter’s back garden to discuss the inaugural season’s events.
- There has been a couple of stories put forward publicly as to how Peterson was cast on The Real Housewives of Orange County.
- The more believed theory is that cameras begun following employer and eventual co-star, Gunvalson, which helped introduce producers to Peterson as they both worked at Vicki’s property in her office for Gunvalson’s business, Coto Insurance.
- However, another idea has been suggested that Lauri auditioned, like her fellow co-stars, for the show and was picked from her casting audition tape as one of the inaugural stars for the show.
- The more believed theory is that cameras begun following employer and eventual co-star, Gunvalson, which helped introduce producers to Peterson as they both worked at Vicki’s property in her office for Gunvalson’s business, Coto Insurance.
- Peterson was the joint first 'Housewife' to star in four seasons on an installment (alongside Gunvalson and Keough) but has since been beaten by fifty-one 'Housewives' across varying American installments of the franchise; who have starred in five of more seasons. She is, however, among fifteen 'Housewives' who have starred full-time on four seasons of an American installment of the franchise.
Installment Facts[]
- Lauri is the joint tenth longest-running 'Housewife' on The Real Housewives of Orange County; having starred in four seasons, alongside current 'Friend of the Housewives' star, Alexis Bellino.
- Peterson is one of five 'Housewives' on the Orange County installment to have left the show and returned as a 'Friend of the Housewives' (in a recurring role).
- While she was the second out of five 'Housewives' to do this, she first of two to leave the show in a main capacity and take a few years break before returning in a recurring capacity. While she left during the fourth season and returned for the eighth season, Bellino exited the show during Peterson’s only season in a recurring role and returned nine seasons later for the show’s upcoming eighteenth season. In contrast, the other three 'Housewives' who have been demoted to a 'Friend' role, have accepted the role the immediate season after their exit as a 'Housewife'; which includes Gunvalson, Keough and also Lizzie Rovsek.
- Peterson was considered a fairly central piece to the Orange County installment.