Say What?! OG Cast Member Vicki Gunvalson Was Demoted to a "Friend" on Season 14 of 'RHOC'
Jul. 3 2019, Updated 2:59 p.m. ET
It's official! Sadly, Vicki Gunvalson of The Real Housewives of Orange County will not be returning as a full-time cast member on the popular Bravo series. The recent trailer for the Season 14 summer premiere confirmed the rumors that the OG housewife will only appear as a “friend,” and not a featured cast member.
“For the past 14 years I’ve opened up my life, my loves, and my ups and downs on The Real Housewives of Orange County and I am proud to be the ‘OG of the OC,’” the reality star posted via Instagram on July 2.
"I am back again this season right in the middle of the action, and I hope you have as much fun watching the show as I did living it in front of the cameras. Stay tuned to Bravo August 6th," she wrote.
So, why is our favorite RHOC star not appearing as part of the main cast in the upcoming season? Seriously, what happened to Vicki Gunvalson's status?
Vicki Gunvalson was demoted on The Real Housewives of Orange County.
In May, rumors swirled of the 57-year-old Bravo star’s demotion from the show. An insider told Us Weekly at the time, “Last week, the RHOC cast shot their official photos for the next season. Vicki was not included in the group cast photos and they shot multiple options.” In the trailer, Vicki was listed as a "friend of," which means Bravo's decision is final (for now).
The OG cast member — who has appeared since the show’s inception in 2006 — recently got engaged to boyfriend Steve Lodge. Her engagement will reportedly be featured on the upcoming season of the Bravo show. While fans will not get a full dose of Vicki, we can still expect to see her drama with Kelly Dodd playout on-screen.
“You’re a f–king con woman crook,” Kelly yells at Vicki in the show’s recent trailer, to which the OG housewife replies, “You are a bully!” The two reality stars had major beef last season after Vicki and her now-fiancé, Steve, joined Kelly and her ex-husband Michael on a double date.
Their feud reached its peak after Vicki accused Kelly of abusing drugs (which she has denied) during the reunion episode.
Though Vicki was "demoted" as a main cast member, the drama between her and Kelly has not simmered. And, we can’t wait to watch it all go down!
Who replaced Vicki Gunvalson on The Real Housewives of Orange County?
No one can ever truly replace the OG of Orange County, but Bravo will be adding a new castmate to the Season 14 series. Braunwyn Windham-Burke has been officially announced as the newbie of the hit TV show. “Finally! Here’s what we’ve been up to the past few months, it’s been such an amazing, crazy time and I’ve enjoyed every minute (almost),” the mother of seven and blogger captioned a cast pic on her Instagram.
In another social media snap, she wrote alongside a promotional photo: “It’s official!! I had the best time of my life. Thank you.” Braunwyn will join Tamra Judge, Shannon Storms Beador, Kelly Dodd, Gina Kirschenheitr, and Emily Simpson in Season 14.
Catch the Season 14 premiere of The Real Housewives of Orange County on Tuesday, August 6, at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.
