Adrienne Maloof is getting back to reality… off camera, that is.

But in true Maloof style, she’s getting the last word.

As was reported by Celebuzz, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star decided to ditch the third season reunion special, but the 51-year-old admits she had good reason to skip the show, despite Andy Cohen’s own on-air announcement of her absence.

“I think that Andy has to understand that [ex-husband] Paul [Nassif] and I were under a gag order from the court system, not to be able to speak about our marriage, our children, our divorce,” Maloof told Celebuzz at Perez Hilton’s 35th birthday bash at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles Saturday night.

“So, therefore, since that was the whole season there wasn’t really much to talk about. And knowing me being so passionate about my family and my kids, I didn’t trust myself, because I have that fiery instinct and I just didn’t want to take that chance.”

“I’m just starting new and fresh and living with some dignity,” she added.

Maloof’s reaction is in direct response to Cohen’s explanation of why she missed the taping on March 1: “Well, today we are missing one of the Housewives who’s been with us since the beginning. Adrienne Maloof has decided not to participate today,” Cohen said. “This season was hard on Adrienne, as you all know. A secret about her family was revealed by Brandi [Glanville]. And from that moment on, Adrienne refused to speak directly about it.”

“We know that frustrated you in the audience,” he added. “It frustrated all of us too. Adrienne won’t be here to tell her side of the story. Not only is she absent tonight, but she won’t be on the show next season. Adrienne Maloof’s final act as a Housewife was NOT showing up tonight.”

Maloof’s life off-camera was enough drama to deal with, so taking her final bow from the hit reality show came at the right time.

The mother of three, who split from her plastic surgeon husband, in early November after 10 years of marriage, battled it out in court and in the press over custody issues involving the couple’s children.

“It was time to go,” she added. “It was time to exit and the timing in life is everything and that’s been the way it has been through my family business. So to me, this was the right time.”

But the newly-single former housewife, who just called it quits with much-younger boyfriendSean Stewart, isn’t putting up her Manolo-clad feet just yet. This entrepreneur has a few more projects up her designer sleeve.

“I have a new skincare line coming out in September, my vodka line Zing,” Maloof said.

“I have the jewelry line as well. And I’m co-producing a movie coming out with Dreamworks based on a true story about a friend of mine.”

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion airs Monday at 9PM on Bravo.

Are you glad to see Adrienne Maloof leave The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills or will it not be the same without her? Tell us your thoughts below.

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