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‘RHOC’ Original Vicki Gunvalson Responds to Season 14 Demotion: ‘I’m Back … in a Different Role’
She’s cool with it. After months of rumors of a demotion from the cast of Real Housewives of Orange County, star Vicki Gunvalson took to social media to share her thoughts on the change … and her absence from the yearly cast photo.
“For the past 14 years I’ve opened up my life, my loves, my ups and downs on The Real Housewives of Orange County and I am proud to be the OG of the OC,'” the 57-year-old original cast member wrote on a series of a few shots of herself and pals Tamra Judge and Shannon Beador posted to her Instagram on July 2. “I am back again this season right in the middle of the action in a different role.”
There you have it! The rumors of the OC OG‘s minimized role started back in February when an insider told Radar Online she had been “demoted” to a “friend” role on the upcoming season and “took a nearly 50 percent pay cut per episode and has no guarantee for episodes.” The day before the news broke, Vicki posted to her IG about starting to film with her then-boyfriend, now-fiancé Steve Lodge — making sure fans knew she wasn’t leaving the show.
At the time, there were also rumors that Vicki might get engaged as a way of keeping herself on the Bravo TV staple … and whether or not that was true, she did, in fact, get engaged on April 26. She spoke with Life & Style exclusively about the backlash surrounding her and Steve taking the next step in their relationship. “How many people have gotten married while they’re filming a reality show? I don’t have to do anything to secure my spot,” the insurance entrepreneur said. “This is my reality.”
An insider told Us Weekly that the longtime star was not included in the big cast photoshoot back in mid-May, though she was “on set” according to the source. Now it seems as though she shot some solo and group shots with her friends, effectively solidifying her new status.
“I hope you have as much fun watching the show as I did living it in front of the cameras,” Vicki concluded on her Instagram post, giving us an official return date for the series (!!) as well. “Stay tuned to Bravo August 6th, for more of the Tres Amigas.”
