RHOC’sVicki Gunvalson Calls Signing onto theReal Housewives‘A Deal with the Devil’

Mar. 15, 2025

Vicki Gunvalson at InspirationALZ Gala on Aug. 13, 2022.Photo:Jesse Grant/Getty

Jesse Grant/Getty

Vicki Gunvalsondescribes signing ontoThe Real Housewives"a deal with devil" — and not a very profitable one at that … at least initially.

“I definitely feel like it’s a deal with the devil,” said Vicki, 62.

She recalls being paid “nothing, zero” for her first season, as no one — the network nor audiences — knew whatThe Real Housewiveswas or would become.

“Season 2 I believe I got paid $5,000 for the whole season,” Vicki added. “Not much money, I didn’t even have an attorney look over my contract. I had no idea what I was doing.”

Jeana Keough, Lauri Waring, Jo De La Rosa, Kimberly Bryant, Vicki Gunvalson from season 1 of ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’.Chris McPherson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Chris McPherson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

But as the franchise grew, spawning other editions inNew York City, Atlanta,Beverly Hillsand New Jersey, just to name a few, so did Vicki’s paycheck.

By the time she reachedRHOC’sseason 13 in 2018, her salary was over $1 million.

“My final full-time season, [the pay] was significant. Seven figures. I never really thought I would make the number I was making,” Vicki admitted.

But the fame and fortune came at a price. Viewers saw her marriage to husbandDonn Gunvalsoncrumble on screen. Shefiled for divorce in 2010and it was finalized in 2014.

Another dark moment was when Vicki learned that her mother Joanne Steinmetz,had died during season 10. Cameras rolled as she found out the news from her daughter Briana Culberson on the phone and crumpled to the floor in a pile of grief.

“Let me scream and cry on my own and be mad,” she added. “It was very, very traumatic. I will never forgive Bravo for that.”

Vicki Gunvalson learns of her mom’s death on ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’.Bravo

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Despite her qualms, Vicki continues to appear onRHOC, serving as a “friend” in season 14 and a guest in season 17 and the currently airing season 18.

The Real Housewives of Orange Countyairs Thursdays on Bravo and the next day on Peacock.

source: people.com