RHOC’s Vicki Gunvalson Calls Signing onto the Real Housewives ‘A Deal with the Devil’

Vicki Gunvalson describes the signing Real housewives “business with the devil” — and not very profitable… at least at first.

The reality star — one of the original actors in Bravo The Real Housewives of Orange County — recalls the first days in the series, which premiered in 2006, as part of Vice TV’s documentary series The Dark Side of Reality TV which was broadcast on Tuesday, October 28.

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

She recalls being paid “nothing, zero” for her first season, because no one—the network or the audience—knew what Real housewives was or will become.

‘Real Housewives of Orange County’ Vicki Gunvalson’s Biggest Breakdown

“For Season 2, I believe I was paid $5,000 for the entire season,” Vicki added. “Not a lot of money, I didn’t even have a lawyer review my contract. I had no idea what I was doing.”

Jeana Keough, Lauri Waring, Jo De La Rosa, Kimberly Bryant, Vicki Gunvalson from The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 1.

Chris McPherson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

But as the franchise grew, spawning other editions in New York, Atlanta, Beverly Hills and New Jersey, to name a few, so did Vicki’s salary.

By the time she arrived of RHOC season 13 in 2018, her salary was over a million dollars.

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

But fame and fortune came at a price. Viewers saw her marriage with husband Donna Gunvalson falling apart on screen. She filed for divorce in 2010, and it was finalized in 2014.

Vicki Gunvalson on Vice TV’s ‘The Dark Side of Reality’.

TV VICE

“People ask me if I regret being on the show, and when I look at my relationships, I would say yes,” she explained. “With Donna, the show 100% had an impact on our relationship. Being on TV 100% played a role in our divorce because it puts a lot of pressure on the marriage. I think we would have survived if I hadn’t been there so I regret it.”

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

“I was very upset that the production knew for an hour and they didn’t tell me. They went overboard and I think they should have taken me aside and said, ‘Your mom passed away. Talk to your daughter… the camera,'” she told Vice TV. “If I were a producer, I would do that.”

Let me scream and cry and be angry by myself, she added. “It was very, very traumatic. I will never forgive Bravo for that.”

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

A Bravo representative had no comment when contacted by PEOPLE.

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Despite her misgivings, Vicki still shows up RHOCserving as a “friend” in season 14 and a guest in season 17 and the currently airing season 18.

All the ‘Real Housewives’ who renewed their vows — and whether or not their marriage lasted

At last year’s BravoCon in Las Vegas, a celebration of all things Bravo, Andy Cohen presented her with The Wifetime Achievement Award.

Real housewives episode of The dark side of reality TV airs Tuesdays at 9pm ET on Vice. Real Housewives students Cynthia Bailey and Aviva Drescher also participated in the series.

The Real Housewives of Orange County it is broadcast on Thursdays on Bravo and the next day on Paun.

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Source: HIS Education