11
“Lose My Number”: Vicki’s Daughter Slams Andy Cohen After Image Fail
Vicki Gunvalson Opens Up About Family Struggles After 20 Years of ‘Real Housewives’
NEW You can now listen to Fox News articles!
The OG of the OC Returns to Celebrate 20 Years
Vicki Gunvalson, now 64 years old, earned the nickname "OG of the OC" (Original Girl of Orange County) after starring in the very first season of The Real Housewives of Orange County 20 years ago.
To mark this milestone, she recently returned to the franchise for a special series called "The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th." But behind the glitz and glamour, Vicki shared some painful truths about how the show affected her family.
Important Points to Know
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Vicki’s daughter Briana Culberson (39) wants nothing to do with the show anymore
- Briana’s husband Ryan served 6 tours in the Marine Corps and has PTSD
- The show portrayed Ryan in a "bad light" — which drove Briana away
- Even Andy Cohen (Bravo’s head honcho) called Briana — she said: "Please lose my number."
- Vicki’s son Michael (40) hasn’t seen his sister in 8 years
- Vicki’s first marriage ended in divorce — her husband gave her an ultimatum: the show or the marriage
Why Briana Walked Away from the Cameras
The Military Family’s Painful Experience
Briana and her husband Ryan Culberson have been married for 15 years and share four children. Ryan served in the Marine Corps and completed six tours overseas.
When he returned home, he was dealing with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) — a mental health condition that can happen after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events.
SIMPLE EXPLANATION: PTSD
Think of it like an invisible injury. After someone goes through something really scary or dangerous (like war), their brain stays on "high alert" even when they’re safe. It can cause nightmares, anxiety, flashbacks, and feeling numb or angry.
How the Show Made Things Worse
According to Vicki, the show portrayed Ryan in a negative way during a very vulnerable time. This hurt their family deeply.
Vicki told The Hollywood Reporter:
"Her husband just got back from the Marine Corps — six tours overseas — and he’s got some PTSD, and they really showed a bad light of him. She just was like, ‘Mom, I want nothing to do with it.’"
Even when Vicki asked for just a small cameo appearance, Briana refused. And when Andy Cohen personally reached out for the 20th anniversary season, Briana’s response was blunt:
"Please lose my number."
The Sibling Distance: 8 Years Apart
Vicki’s son Michael Wolfsmith, 40, recently appeared on RHOC and dropped a heartbreaking revelation:
"I mean, I haven’t even seen my sister in eight years. Not good. I haven’t even met two of her kids."
Where They Live Now
| Family Member | Location |
|---|---|
| Michael | Spain |
| Briana & Family | Oklahoma |
| Vicki | Orange County, California |
Vicki shared in a confessional:
"It absolutely sucks that my kids live far away… They talk all the time, they FaceTime. But it’s definitely better to be in person. I see other families have their kids over on Sunday dinner, and I don’t have that."
The Show Cost Vicki Her First Marriage
The Ultimatum
Before the show even aired, Vicki’s then-husband Donn Gunvalson saw the writing on the wall.
Vicki recalled:
"When Scott [the producer] approached me and Donn at the time about doing this pilot, Donn’s like, ‘There’s no way we’re doing this in our family.’ He was like, ‘Anybody that goes on TV is going to get divorced.’ I’m like, ‘We’re not going to get divorced. We’re fine.’ And obviously, fast-forward, we got divorced."
Vicki’s Regret
"My family was more important than the show, and it broke apart."
Wisdom from a Fellow Housewife
Porsha Williams (from Real Housewives of Atlanta) offered this perspective:
"Two things can be true. The show can strain a marriage, but it can also reveal things about that marriage — or about yourself — that you needed to know."
Vicki agreed, adding:
"If the marriage is weak, it’s going to fall apart."
A Look Back: The Original Cast
The very first season of RHOC in 2006 featured:
- Vicki Gunvalson
- Jeana Keough
- Lauri Waring
- Jo De La Rosa
- Kimberly Bryant
Summary
| Topic | Key Detail |
|---|---|
| Milestone | 20 years of Real Housewives of Orange County |
| Vicki’s Role | Original cast member ("OG of the OC") |
| Daughter Briana | Refuses to return; told Andy Cohen "lose my number" |
| Reason | Husband Ryan (Marine, 6 tours, PTSD) portrayed negatively |
| Son Michael | Hasn’t seen sister in 8 years; lives in Spain |
| Vicki’s Marriage | Divorced Donn after he gave ultimatum: show or marriage |
| Lesson Learned | "If the marriage is weak, it’s going to fall apart" |
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q1: Why doesn’t Briana Culberson want to be on TV anymore?
A: Her husband Ryan is a Marine veteran who served 6 tours and has PTSD. The show portrayed him in a negative light during a very hard time for their family. Briana decided to protect her husband and kids by staying away from the cameras.
Q2: What did Briana say to Andy Cohen?
A: When Andy Cohen (the executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise) called to ask her to appear for the 20th anniversary season, she reportedly told him: "Please lose my number."
Q3: How long has it been since Vicki’s kids have seen each other?
A: Vicki’s son Michael revealed on the show that he hasn’t seen his sister Briana in 8 years — and hasn’t even met two of her four children.
Q4: Did the show cause Vicki’s divorce?
A: Vicki says her ex-husband Donn warned her: "Anybody that goes on TV is going to get divorced." She didn’t believe him at the time, but they later divorced. She now says: "My family was more important than the show, and it broke apart."
Q5: Is Vicki still on the show?
A: Yes! She recently returned for "The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th" to celebrate 20 years of the franchise. She also appeared in the current season of RHOC.
Final Thought
Reality TV gives us drama, laughter, and unforgettable moments — but for the families living it, the cost can be real relationships, real pain, and real distance. As Vicki Gunvalson’s story shows, sometimes the cameras capture more than just entertainment — they capture life changing forever.
"It’s not what I’d ever planned, but it’s their life." — Vicki Gunvalson
Article based on reporting by Tracy Wright, Entertainment Reporter for Fox News Digital.
