Real Housewives of Orange County demotes Vicki Gunvalson

Bustle

Original Real Housewives star Gunvalson has been downgraded to "friend" of the Housewives for Season 14, Bravo revealed in the trailer for the new season, premiering Aug. 6. "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,'" Gunvalson wrote on Instagram. "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." The announcement has Twitter freaked out. According to Bustle's Savannah Walsh, "Vicki's pivot to a smaller role next season surprises for a variety of reasons. Not only has Vicki appeared on every season, dating back to 2006, but she's never left the show for any period or been on the show in a non-full-time position. Plus, fans were hoping to see more from Vicki when news broke of her recent engagement to Steve Lodge. On the heels of the OG of RHOBH Lisa Vanderpump's dramatic departure last month, it's a lot to handle."