Kelly Dodd emerged as a prominent and often polarizing figure in reality television, best known for her tenure as a cast member on the long-running series The Real Housewives of Orange County. Born on September 26, 1975, in Scottsdale, Arizona, she was raised by her parents, Frank and Bobbi Meza. Her personal life, marked by both public relationships and personal struggles, became a central narrative of her public persona. She was first married to Scott Christopher Silva from 2001 until their divorce in 2004. She then married businessman Michael J. Dodd in 2006, a union that lasted until 2018 and during which she officially adopted the surname Dodd. In October 2020, she married Fox News reporter Rick Leventhal.

Dodd joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Orange County in its eleventh season in 2016, quickly establishing herself as an outspoken and unfiltered presence. Her candid demeanor and willingness to engage in dramatic confrontations with fellow housewives, including Vicki Gunvalson and Shannon Beador, made her a standout character. Her storylines frequently delved into her marital challenges with Michael Dodd, her relationships with her family, and her evolving lifestyle in Orange County. She remained a main cast member for five seasons, becoming a central figure in some of the franchise's most memorable moments.

Her time on the reality series was not without significant controversy. Dodd faced widespread criticism for various statements made on social media and during the show, particularly regarding social and health-related issues. These controversies ultimately contributed to her departure from The Real Housewives of Orange County after its fifteenth season in 2021. Following her exit from the Bravo series, she continued to maintain a public profile through social media and podcasting, often commenting on pop culture and her former co-stars. She and her husband, Rick Leventhal, have divided their time between New York and California, sharing aspects of their life together with their followers online.