Vicki Gunvalson has confirmed that she will not return to The “Real Housewives of Orange County” star next season.
In an “Ask Away” segment on her Instagram stories, a fan asked the Bravo veteran if she would be returning for the next season. “I am not but will watch my girl [Shannon Beador],” Gunvalson replied on January 18.
Elsewhere, she was asked to name her favorite RHOC castmates. “I don’t necessarily have a ‘favorite’ but [Jennifer Pedranti] and I are close,” Gunvalson wrote.
Gunvalson is an OG of the OC franchise. She was a main cast member for the first 13 seasons before appearing as a “friend” in season 14. Gunvalson took issue with being labeled a “friend” on the show. “I started this franchise. I’m never going to be a Friend,’” she once told Entertainment Tonight. “I’m either all in or all out, I’m not a part-time girl.”
She did not appear in seasons 15 and 16 at all, but was “guest” in seasons 17 and 18.
Gunvalson previously noted she wouldn’t rule out a full-time return to RHOC. In 2022, she admitted to Us Weekly that she was “jealous” when co-star Tamra Judge was asked back in a full-time role after sitting out the same two seasons that she did. “That’s Bravo’s decision, right?” Gunvalson said at the time. “My filming days hopefully aren’t over.”
But based on her new comments, her filming days are over—at least for the upcoming season 19.
Vicki Gunvalson Previously Talked About Who She’d Keep on the Cast
Bravo
Gunvalson spoke about the RHOC cast during a 2024 appearance on Sirius XM’s “Jeff Lewis Live.” She was also asked if she had an interest in returning after season 18. “Well, a lot of people say it depends on who’s on the cast. There is some disconnect with, obviously, everybody knows Tamra and I,” she admitted.
She noted that Pedranti was a great addition to the cast and said she liked Gina Kirschenheiter and Emily Simpson. “I would definitely get rid of Tamra,” she added. “I just think enough is enough, and everybody I talk to say it’s too much with her.”
She noted that while she likes Heather Dubrow, she’s not sure why she’s still doing the show. Gunvalson added that Alexis Bellino, who is engaged to Beador’s ex, John Janssen, needs to go.
Tamra Judge Predicted Vicki Gunvalson Would Not Return to RHOC
YouTube/Bravo
While Gunvalson has confirmed she won’t be filming for season 19, her co-star Judge predicted the scenario months ago.
In an August 2024 episode of the “On Display With Melissa Gorga,” Judge noted that Gunvalson complained a lot during filming last season. “She won’t be back. I can tell you right now,” Judge predicted.
Judge also claimed that Gunvalson said negative things about her to create drama. “I think that’s why she’s coming after me and why she’s saying all these horrible things. Because she thinks that’s going to get her back on the show,” Judge speculated last summer.
Bravo does not confirm casting rumors, but in January 2025 an insider told OK! Magazine that the “entire” “Real Housewives of Orange County” main cast had been asked back for season 19.
