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Vicki Gunvalson continues to slam Bravo, and this time, she said working with the network is like working “with the devil.” During her episode of VICE’s The Dark Side of Reality TV, Vicki said the producers of The Real Housewives of Orange County didn’t pay her well at the beginning. Because of that, she said filming the show is like signing a “deal with the devil.”
Throughout her interview, she said she was paid next to nothing for Season 1. “Season 2 I believe I got paid $5,000 for the whole season,” she said. “Not much money; I didn’t even have an attorney look over my contract. I had no idea what I was doing.”
Vicki revealed that she eventually made more money thanks to additional iterations that would come later. “My [paycheck for my last season] was significant. Seven figures. I never really thought I would make the number I was making,” Vicki explained.
Does Vicki Regret Filming RHOC?
Elsewhere in the clip, Vicki is asked if she has regrets about doing the show. Although she doesn’t regret her experience, she regrets how the conflict impacted her relationships. “With [my ex-husband], 100% the show had an impact on our relationship,” she said. “Being on TV 100% had a role in our divorce because it puts a lot of pressure on a marriage. I think we would’ve survived if I wasn’t on the show. So that I regret.”
Vicki’s comments about Bravo and the Real Housewives production aren’t the first time she’s spoken negatively about her experience. In another clip from VICE’s special, Vicki slammed the network for how they handled her mother’s passing.
“I was really upset that production knew for an hour, and they didn’t tell me,” Vicki said, referring to the show’s producers. “They were out of line, and I think they should have taken me aside and said, ‘Your mom has passed. Talk to your daughter off-camera.’ If I was a producer, that’s what I would’ve done.” Eventually, the series’ biggest star said she’d “never forgive” Bravo for what they’d done.
Some Fans Jump to Vicki Gunvalson’s Defense Over Recent Claims of Working With ‘The Devil’
Although Vicki’s comments about Bravo have seemingly come out of left field, she isn’t the first Real Housewives star to speak about her negative experience on set. Recently, Caroline Manzo (The Real Housewives of New Jersey) sued the network. In her lawsuit, she claimed she was sexually harassed by a “severely intoxicated” cast member. Furthermore, she claimed producers did nothing to stop the unwanted touching between them.
Bethenny Frankel (The Real Housewives of New York) recently led what the unscripted world referred to as the “Reality TV Reckoning.” In a series of different TikTok posts, she, too, slammed Bravo for profiting off of the traumatic events of its cast members.
Social media users seem to agree, with several writing about Vicki’s remarks discussing the behind-the-scenes treatment she’s received. “Reality television seems to ruin relationships in general. We have seen that so many times,” one user wrote. A second user wrote that they understood Vicki’s position, commenting the show can take an “extreme toll on them mentally and reputationally.”
Nobody from Bravo has responded to Vicki’s claims. However, with her being one of many ex-Housewives to speak out against them, perhaps that would be in their best interest.
