Vicki Gunvalson did not see her demotion coming, and insiders say that the (former?) Real Housewives of Orange County star is “absolutely crushed.” Rumors started to swirl a couple of weeks ago that Gunvalson had lost her spot on RHOC, but it wasn’t until Bravo started filming without her that people began to believe that the OG of the OC had gotten the ax.

After thirteen years of starring on the hit reality show, Bravo unexpectedly reduced Gunvalson’s status to “friend,” and insiders say that the 56-year-old probably won’t accept that role; however, she is currently in negotiations.

@Andy @vgunvalson @RHOC_KellyDodd Vicki Gunvalson is no victim!!! However, Vicki is a bully, a liar, and has no storyline (unless it’s Brooks or Steve). She doesn’t need to be demoted- she needs to be fired. Oh and she didn’t start the franchise!!

— @pl1721 (@LeipzigerP) February 15, 2019

“She’s been demoted, but she hasn’t agreed to take the offer,” a production source told Radar Online.

The insider said that Gunvalson doesn’t have much time to decide what she wants to do. The ladies in the Housewives franchise typically have less than a week to accept or deny an offer from Bravo, and “there aren’t a lot of negotiations.”

Gunvalson made her debut on RHOC when the very first episode premiered on March 21, 2006. Since then, the insider says the show “has been her whole life,” and “she is the O.G. for a reason.”

Now, Tamra Judge will be “the longest standing housewife.”

The speculation is that Bravo demoted Gunvalson because she doesn’t have an organic storyline with the rest of the cast, and no one wants to film with her anymore.

“When you added that on top of the cocaine drama with Kelly [Dodd], it was just her time to go,” says the insider.

The remaining cast of RHOC has already started filming, and there will be a newbie joining them for Season 14. Braunwyn Windham-Burke of Laguna Beach, California, is the new face this season, and according to her blog Barefoot in Heels, she is a “globe-trotting mom to seven amazing kids.”

Windham-Burke is married to Channel Stars CEO Sean Burke.

Vicki Gunvalson Shocked By Bravo’s Low-Ball Offer To Become A ‘Friend’ On RHOC

— Celebrity News (@celebnewsnetwrk) February 12, 2019

In addition to Windham-Burke, the cast will include Gina Kirschenheiter and Emily Simpson, who are both returning for their second season. And, veterans Shannon Beador, Kelly Dodd, and Tamra Judge will also be back for more drama.

It remains to be seen if Vicki Gunvalson will appear as a “friend” of the show.

Advertisement

Season 14 of Real Housewives of Orange County will premiere later this year on Bravo.