Vicki Gunvalson Reflects on Her ‘Real Housewives’ Journey and Family Impact

Vicki Gunvalson gained fame as the ‘OG of the OC’ after joining the original cast of The Real Housewives of Orange County two decades ago. Recently, she returned to the franchise and appears in The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th to celebrate the show’s 20-year milestone. Despite her success, Gunvalson shared that her own family has not received the same positive attention from the network over the years.

In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Gunvalson, 64, revealed that her daughter, Briana Culberson, wants no part in the series, owing to her military husband’s portrayal on the show. Gunvalson starred in the first episode of Real Housewives of Orange County in 2006 and has since made a comeback after a brief hiatus.

Briana, 39, appeared occasionally with her mother on the show but showed no interest in returning for its 20th season. She apparently requested Bravo’s Andy Cohen to ‘please lose my number’ when approached about a guest appearance. Previously, Briana was seen on Season 18 of Watch What Happens Live.

“My children are now 39 and 40,” Gunvalson stated. “My son did a film this year. My daughter wants nothing to do with it.”

Briana’s husband, a Marine Corps veteran, struggled with PTSD after six overseas tours, and the show allegedly cast their family in a negative light. Gunvalson tried to persuade Briana to make a cameo but was unsuccessful. She added that Andy Cohen also reached out to her daughter, but Briana declined, citing the show’s adverse effects on their family.

Briana and Ryan Culberson have four children and have been married for 15 years. Gunvalson’s son, Michael, 40, appeared in a recent RHOC episode, expressing that he had not seen Briana in eight years. He admitted, “I haven’t even met two of her kids.” Gunvalson shared her feelings about living far from her children, saying it was not what she had planned.

“I see other families have their kids over on Sunday dinner, and I don’t have that. It’s not what I’d ever planned, but it’s their life,” Gunvalson said.

Original cast members of The Real Housewives of Orange County included Jeana Keough, Lauri Waring, Jo De La Rosa, Kimberly Bryant, and Vicki Gunvalson.

The show’s impact on family life was profound. Gunvalson’s ex-husband once gave her an ultimatum between their marriage and the show, leading to her regretful decision. “It killed mine,” she shared regarding how RHOC affected her marriage.

Fellow housewife Porsha Williams advised that TV exposure could both strain a marriage and provide necessary insights. Gunvalson expressed that weak marriages are likely to crumble under such pressure.