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Brutal Snub: Vicki’s Daughter Tells Andy Cohen “Lose My Number”
Vicki Gunvalson’s Real Housewives Journey: 20 Years of Fame, Family Struggles, and Regrets
The Original "OG of the OC"
Vicki Gunvalson earned the nickname "OG of the OC" (which means "Original Gangster of Orange County") because she was part of the very first cast of The Real Housewives of Orange County when it premiered 20 years ago in 2006.
Recently, she returned to the franchise to star in a special anniversary series called "The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th" — a celebration of two decades of the popular Bravo reality show.
Important Point: Being the "OG" means Vicki has been there since the very beginning — she’s the longest-running original cast member in the entire Real Housewives franchise!
Her Daughter Wants Nothing to Do With the Show
While Vicki built a career on reality TV, her daughter Briana Culberson (age 39) has made it clear she wants no part of it.
Key Details About Briana’s Decision:
- Briana appeared in a handful of episodes over the years with her mom
- She was reportedly asked to return for Season 20 but declined
- When Bravo boss Andy Cohen reached out about a special appearance, Briana allegedly told him: "Please lose my number"
- Vicki shared: "My daughter wants nothing to do with it."
Why Briana Walked Away: Her Husband’s Portrayal
The main reason? How the show treated her husband, Ryan Culberson.
Ryan’s Background:
- Marine Corps veteran who served six tours overseas
- Suffers from PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) — a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing terrifying events
- The show "showed a bad light of him" according to Vicki
Important Point: PTSD is a serious condition that affects many veterans. Reality TV editing can sometimes make situations look worse than they are, which can be very damaging to someone already struggling.
Briana’s Reaction:
Vicki explained: "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.’"
Vicki even begged: "Can you do a cameo? Can you come on for a little bit?" But Briana stood firm.
The Family Today
Briana & Ryan’s Family:
- Married for 15 years
- Four children together
- Currently living in Oklahoma
- Briana last appeared on Bravo during Season 18 of Watch What Happens Live
Vicki’s Son Michael (Age 40):
- Recently appeared on a RHOC episode
- Revealed he hasn’t seen his sister Briana in 8 years
- Has never met two of Briana’s four children
- Lives in Spain while Briana is in Oklahoma
Vicki’s Perspective on the Distance:
"It absolutely sucks that my kids live far away. Mike’s in Spain, Briana lives in Oklahoma. 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. It’s not what I’d ever planned, but it’s their life."
The Show Cost Vicki Her First Marriage
One of the most painful revelations: Vicki’s marriage to Donn Gunvalson ended because of the show.
The Ultimatum:
When producers approached them about doing the original pilot episode:
- Donn said: "There’s no way we’re doing this in our family."
- Donn predicted: "Anybody that goes on TV is going to get divorced."
- Vicki responded: "We’re not going to get divorced. We’re fine."
- Result: "Obviously, fast-forward, we got divorced."
Vicki’s Regret:
"My family was more important than the show, and it broke apart."
What Other Housewives Think
Fellow star Porsha Williams 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."
Summary
| Aspect | What Happened |
|---|---|
| Vicki’s Role | Original cast member (20 years), "OG of the OC" |
| Daughter Briana | Quit the show after husband Ryan was portrayed negatively |
| Ryan Culberson | Marine veteran (6 tours), has PTSD, shown in "bad light" |
| Son Michael | Hasn’t seen sister in 8 years, hasn’t met 2 nieces/nephews |
| First Marriage | Ended in divorce — Donn gave ultimatum: show or marriage |
| Vicki’s Regret | Choosing the show over her family |
| Lesson Learned | Reality TV can strain or break weak relationships |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is Vicki Gunvalson called the "OG of the OC"?
"OG" stands for "Original Gangster" — a slang term meaning someone who was there from the very beginning. Vicki was on the first episode of Real Housewives of Orange County in 2006 and stayed for many seasons.
What is PTSD and why does it matter here?
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing trauma (like combat). Ryan Culberson served six tours as a Marine. Briana felt the show misrepresented him during a vulnerable time, which is why she refused to return.
Did Andy Cohen really call Briana to come back?
Yes — according to Vicki, Andy Cohen (the executive producer) personally called Briana to ask her to appear in Season 20. Briana allegedly responded: "Please lose my number."
Are Vicki’s children close to each other?
No. Michael (40) revealed he hasn’t seen Briana (39) in 8 years and hasn’t met two of her four children. They live in different countries (Spain vs. Oklahoma) but do FaceTime regularly.
Does Vicki regret doing the show?
Yes — deeply. She said: "My family was more important than the show, and it broke apart." Her first husband Donn warned her the show would lead to divorce, and he was right. She now sees the cost it had on her family relationships.
Article based on Vicki Gunvalson’s interview with The Hollywood Reporter, commemorating 20 years of The Real Housewives franchise.
