It’s been refreshing to meet Katie Ginella. The atmosphere is very cordial right now, as the Real Housewives of Orange County veterans get to know Katie.

And she in turn is navigating all the existing drama in the group. One has to wonder how prepared Katie was to join these ladies. And what kind of advice did she get from her friend, Sutton Stracke?

Katie works in journalism and has a love of golf. But, choppy waters are incoming. A sneak peek shows Katie sparring with Heather Dubrow.

Katie feels that Sutton “was a very good ear”

Katie spoke to BravoTV.com about how she prepared for being on RHOC, including talking to the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star “a lot.”

Sutton will have good advice having survived on RHOBH since Season 10. And not without her share of drama. But it also turns out that the duo bonded over their Southern roots.

“She was a very good ear,” Katie revealed. “She knows what it’s like to be a newbie and knows what it’s like to be from Georgia. We’re both from Georgia; we kind of bonded over that and be[ing] in Southern California, so she was great. She also knows my cast pretty well.”

Sutton shows up on RHOC this season to give support to Katie. The new Bravolebrity will be knee-deep in conflict with Heather and not managing it very well.

Drama aside, Katie is excited to share aspects of her upbringing and heritage.

“I’m most excited for them to see me navigate the group of women, being new in Orange County, seeing my family life, and my personal story,” she said. “I share a lot about my life being adopted and growing up in Georgia as a Korean in a Catholic household.”

Catch Real Housewives of Orange County Thursdays at 9/8c on Bravo.