Vicki Gunvalson has been a part of since the very beginning.

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The Real Housewives of Orange County airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo. Episodes stream next day on Peacock.

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As the self proclaimed "OG of the OC," Vicki has seen the show go from a small reality show about women living in Orange County, California to launching an entire iconic franchise: The Real Housewives. Along the way, she became known for her honesty about her family dynamics, thriving insurance business, her complicated friendship with the "Tres Amigas," and of course, "whooping it up."

After leaving the show in 2020, Vicki eventually made her way back to RHOC for Season 20, a momentous anniversary for both Vicki and the series. In honor of the big milestone, let's take a look back at Vicki's time on RHOC.

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When did Vicki Gunvalson join The Real Housewives of Orange County?

Vicki joined the original cast in RHOC Season 1, which premiered on Bravo in 2006.

Vicki initially appeared on The Real Housewives of Orange County, the first Real Housewives show, when the series premiered on March 21, 2006. She was one of the show's five original Housewives, starring alongside Kimberly Bryant, Jo De La Rosa, Jeana Keough, and Lauri Waring Peterson.

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At the time, Vicki was living in Coto de Caza with her family and running Coto Insurance. Even in that first season, audiences got to see the work-focused side of Vicki's life, as well as her relationship with her then-husband, Donn Gunvalson, and their children.

Since that first appearance, she would go on to be part of every season of RHOC through Season 14, making her the longest-running original cast member in the show's history.

Vicki sealed her status as a Real Housewives icon during the second season with her famous meltdown over being sent a family van by a company instead of the stretch limousine she'd ordered before a vacation.

The scene has since become one of the most recognizable moments in Housewives history. Andy Cohen even shared that the meltdown ranks as his absolute favorite Housewives moment, saying, "I don't know why, but I always go back to Vicki and that little family van."

As the seasons went on, "whooping it up" became synonymous with Vicki.

Whether she was on a cast trip or out with friends, Vicki was rarely one to turn down a party. Bravo even asked her to share her official rules for whooping it up after she'd spent 11 seasons perfecting the art. Her advice included being around people who like to have fun, having a good attitude, and naturally, not forgetting to "Woo-hoo!"

With that said, Vicki's time on RHOC wasn't all parties. Viewers also watched her and Donn's marriage fall apart. The couple eventually divorced in 2014.

After 13 seasons as a full-time cast member, Vicki's role changed in Season 14. Rather than returning as a full-time Housewife, she came back as a "Friend," sharing on Instagram, "I am back again this season right in the middle of the action in a different role."

At BravoCon 2019, Vicki said acclimating to the reduced role was one of the hardest things she'd ever done and made it clear she didn't want to return in that capacity again.

After Season 14,

In the January 2020 post, she wriote that she would "always be the OG of the OC" but that it was time to say goodbye after 14 years.

Even after leaving, though, Vicki never completely disappeared from the Bravo world.

Her 2020 departure wasn't the last time she would be seen on the show. A few years later, Vicki returned for a few cameos.

During Season 17, she reunited with Tamra Judge and Shannon Storms Beador, bringing back the trio that had become known as the Tres Amigas. The reunion gave Vicki a chance to catch up with her former castmates and update viewers on her life away from RHOC.

She also appeared during Season 18 in 2024, when she stopped by Shannon's home for a catch-up chat.

Vicki's full-time return was finally announced at BravoCon 2025.

During The Bravos in Las Vegas, Andy Cohen surprised Vicki by presenting her with the orange that symbolizes Orange County Housewives and asking her to return to RHOC for Season 20. Vicki became emotional before enthusiastically accepting the offer.

After leaving the series in 2020, she was officially getting her orange back.

As of 2026, Vicki is now back as a Housewife for Season 20, marking her first full-time season since Season 13.

Her return comes as celebrates its 20th season. Bravo's current Season 20 cast includes Vicki, as well as Shannon Storms Beador, Heather Dubrow, Tamra Judge, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti, and Carmella Garcia.

After two decades of RHOC, Vicki's story has come full circle. She started the franchise in 2006, left as one of its most recognizable Housewives in 2020, and now has her orange back for Season 20.

If there's one thing Vicki's return has already made clear, it's that the OG is ready to whoop it up again!

Of all the familiar faces in Season 20 midseason trailer, there is one couple that even some of the ladies themselves did not expect to see return.

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The shocking sneak peek, which you can check out above, features the Season 20 cast — including Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Judge, Shannon Storms Beador, Heather Dubrow, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti, and Carmella Garcia — reacting to the surprising cameos amid much more drama ahead.

Still to come on RHOC Season 20...

As a black-tie event gets underway, Heather announces that RHOC alum Alexis Bellino and husband John Janssen are in attendance, just before the newlyweds are shown snapping a selfie together at the fete. That news seems to come as a surprise to Shannon, for one, who, later, declares, "Keep my name out of your mouth, Alexis."

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Cut to Alexis outside crying to a small group that includes Tamra and RHOC OG Jo De La Rosa, "This is not fair."

As Emily continues to show off the results of her health and fitness journey, Jenn raises concerns about her marriage to Shane Simpson. "You are so f--king hot, and Shane, he has insecurity, resentment," Jenn points out to her.

Elsewhere, Tamra speculates about Emily and Shane's future in a confessional. "While she's feeling good about herself, is she gonna start looking elsewhere?" she wonders.

After Vicki and boyfriend Michael Smith clash over his lack of a "life plan" for them, she vents to Tamra, "On paper, everything looks perfect. In my heart, it's not."

Meanwhile, Vicki's romantic issues are only one of several conflicts she'll be navigating in the back half of RHOC Season 20. After Heather calls "bulls--t" on Vicki's alleged claim that she's "fake," Jenn also spars with the OG of the OC. "I'm so sick of you coming at me!" Jenn fumes, prompting Vicki to insist that she not yell at her. Jenn's heated response? "No, I can do whatever the f--k I want, Vicki!"

Elsewhere, Gina tells a stunned Vicki that she's "going senile," before, separately, referencing comments she made about how Carmella is raising her four children. "Don't come for my kids," the newbie declares in a confessional, prior to confronting Vicki at a group dinner. "If you can't handle the heat, stay out of the f--kin' kitchen," Carmella warns her.

Carmella, for her part, is similarly navigating drama, both with her new RHOC castmates and outside of the friend group. At the top of the midseason trailer, the women are about to jet off to Tokyo when Shannon notices that Carmella isn't there. The Season 20 newcomer is also missing as the ladies pose for a group photo on the streets of Japan.

During a FaceTime call with Carmella, Jenn says, "I just got your message. What's going on?" Though you'll have to tune in to hear Carmella's explanation, whatever she says prompts the women's jaws to drop. "Are you serious?" Emily asks, while Gina adds, "Wait, what?!"

Another clip shows Heather admitting to Carmella, "I didn't feel like you belonged in our group. And I used the word trashy." She replies, "Jeez, Heather."

Later, Carmella opens up to Shannon about her daughter Presley graduating. "And I'm still f--kin' married," she says, referring to her ex, former NFL quarterback Jeff Garcia. "I don't know what I'm doing."

After Gina is shown shopping and holding up her multiple bags afterward, Tamra tells her, "Maybe you're too bougie." Separately, Tamra mentions that Gina lived in a casita, which seems to spark conflict between the two, later on.

As a costumed Gina fumes at a group dinner, "I never lived in a f--king casita!"

As you await the second half of RHOC Season 20, don't miss what Andy Cohen texted Gina ahead of the premiere.

Fountain Valley is joining the growing list of Orange County cities barring synthetic kratom sales in the city – alongside at least 11 other cities in OC banning the synthetic form.

Kratom is a plant from Southeast Asia. It can be dried and is used as a stimulant or sedative, depending on its dosage, and is often sold in smoke shops and gas stations.

When taken in its natural form, the effects can be compared to those of caffeine, like increased energy. However, when a single component of the drug – 7-hydroxymitragynine or 7-OH – is isolated and synthetically amplified, the product can imitate an opioid.

Last week, Fountain Valley City Council members voted 4-1 to ban the synthetic version of the drug, with Councilman Patrick Harper dissenting, saying there’s not an issue with the substance.

The ban is slated to go into effect Sept. 17.

Despite Harper’s disagreement with the ordinance at both the July 14 and August 18 meetings, other council members saw the ordinance as a positive move, with both Councilmembers Kim Constantine and Ted Bui speaking their support at the July meeting.

“I’ll support it, especially this is not natural kratom we’re talking about here, we’re talking about the synthetic one, and that’s the component that is a risk for the city,” Bui said at the July meeting.

“I guess my feeling on this is that, although it’s kind of trendy to adopt these kinds of ordinances, with the fact that there seems to be no issue with [kratom] right now, I would not be in support of this ordinance,” Harper said at the July 14 meeting.

Fountain Valley’s new ordinance is specifically targeting synthetic versions of the drug, introducing a 21+ age restriction and making packaging unappealing to children.

The ordinance was originally introduced to city officials on July 14 and was largely supported by council members, except Harper.

The synthetically modified kratom can create an opioid-like effect, and is used by some for pain management or to assist with opioid withdrawal.

However, kratom can come with withdrawals, despite its use as an opioid-alternative.

According to Greg Kiesow, founder and executive director of Kratom Anonymous, education and support are a major part of assisting those in addiction and should be offered in cities planning to take kratom off shelves.

Kiesow organized a 12-step support group which functions similarly to Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, but specifically for kratom users, after becoming addicted to the synthetic version of the product in the early 2000s.

“For me, it was like Vicodin,” Kiesow said in an interview with Voice of OC. “As soon as it hit my bloodstream, I was off to the races, and I was taking 7-OH every 4 hours.”

Because there are so few regulations on kratom, it becomes challenging to tell if a product is natural or synthetic. This is leading cities across OC to increasingly banning the product entirely, while some are only looking to crack down on the more potent synthetic version.

At the July 14 meeting, several members of the public spoke out in support of the ordinance, including those who actively use natural kratom for chronic pain.

“With the whole opiate epidemic in full swing, it’s so difficult for people to have access to pain medication and other things that help, so alternatives like kratom – natural kratom – are just a godsend,” said Lora Romney, president of the International Plant & Herbal Alliance, at the July meeting.

Bans on kratom and whippets have taken a sharp increase in the past few months across OC, most recently with La Habra looking to ban both the drugs and place restrictions on smoke shops operating in the city.

[Read: La Habra Eyes Kratom and Whippet Ban]

Additionally, in the past year, cities like Irvine, Dana Point and Garden Grove have all eyed kratom bans.

Last month, the US Drug Enforcement Agency scheduled 7-OH and three other related substances because they have “no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.”

“It’s a multi-pronged approach, but medical treatment and fellowship, in my humble opinion, are the two most key things, and education on what withdrawal is going to be like,” Kiesow said in an interview with the Voice of OC.

Michelle King is a Voice of OC Tracy Wood fellow. You can reach her at [email protected].

Show Name: Shoreline Dog Fanciers Association of Orange County Location: Costa Mesa, CA

Total Entry: 1011 Best In Show Judge: Show Photographer(s): Bettina Bienefeld • Phone: (509) 548 – 4499

Dog Reg: GCHS Studio Be Curious Jp Justice Hero [Dog] Breed: Welsh Terrier Handler: Gabriel Rangel Owner: J See, Y Iguchi & G & Y Rangel Breeder: Y Iguchi

Reserve Dog Reg: GCHP Jogoso’s Justified FDC [Dog] Reserve Breed: Shiba Inu Reserve Handler: Laurie Jordan-Fenner Reserve Owner: S Ozasa, N Baron, M Chang & L Sakashita Breeder: S Ozasa, L Sakashita & L Huang

Sporting Judge’s Name:

Total Entry: 178 #1- Dog Reg: GCHG JRL Midnight Aces [Dog] Breed: Retriever (Labrador) Handler: Elizabeth Jordan-Nelson Owner: P & L Riffle Breeder: M Little #2- Dog Reg: GCH Double Barrel’s Duchess Of The Nord-Sage [Bitch] Breed: Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Handler: Emily Montoya Owner: E Nordstrand & B LeSage #3- Dog Reg: GCHG Lomapoint N Skidaddles You’re Busted [Dog] Breed: Spaniel (Cocker) Parti Handler: Lane Tarantino Owner: A & J Hutson, T Kelso & R Mohamed Breeder: J Bjelland, L Tarantino & L Donaldson #4- Dog Reg: CH Creeksyde’s Black Caviar [Dog] Breed: Pointer Handler: Owner: G Griffin, J Walton, L Frey & T McDonnell Breeder: G Griffin, J Walton & K Rath

Hound Judge’s Name:

Total Entry: 158 #1- Dog Reg: GCHG Rhysheron’s Daydream Believer [Dog] Breed: Irish Wolfhound Handler: Oscar Quiros Owner: A Constable PhD & C Riggs Breeder: C Riggs & J Lindley #2- Dog Reg: GCHP Camelot’s Godfather BCAT [Dog] Breed: Rhodesian Ridgeback Handler: David Bueno Owner: S Cardova-Alford, C Heathcock & S Alford Breeder: S Alford & S Cordova-Alford #3- Dog Reg: GCHG CSG Summitt Rockytop Nickleblack At Carlin FDC BCAT CGC TKN ATT VSWB FITB [Dog] Breed: Black & Tan Coonhound Handler: Mandy Clevenger Owner: T Mitchell, A Pillow & M Clevenger Breeder: D Lyons & E Atchley #4- Dog Reg: GCHB Fetch & Smell Antonio Madrigal [Dog] Breed: Beagle 15 inch Handler: Christian Rangel Owner: C Long, E Brandt & J Catz Breeder: M Pantaleon

Working Judge’s Name:

Total Entry: 158 #1- Dog Reg: GCHG Seven In A Raw De Laouen Ki [Dog] Breed: Alaskan Malamute Handler: Mike Stone Owner: A Star, M Stone, D Faivre & G Cadoret Breeder: D Faivre #2- Dog Reg: GCHG Rivergroves Se Faire Remarquer [Dog] Breed: Great Pyrenees Handler: Loran Morgan Owner: C Buckman & R Trinka Breeder: J Boyd #3- Dog Reg: GCHS Dun Roman’s Quite The Ride V Caps [Dog] Breed: Great Dane Handler: Betty Jo Pyle Owner: B Pyle, J Costantinidis & A Brill Breeder: B & B Pyle & J Costantinidis #4- Dog Reg: GCH Sundevil’s Legendary Rum Runner [Dog] Breed: Akita Handler: Owner: A & S Huenneke Breeder: A & S Huenneke

Terrier Judge’s Name:

Total Entry: 99 #1- Dog Reg: GCHS Studio Be Curious Jp Justice Hero [Dog] Breed: Welsh Terrier Handler: Gabriel Rangel Owner: J See, Y Iguchi & G & Y Rangel Breeder: Y Iguchi #2- Dog Reg: GCHS Paradym Double Dare Ya [Dog] Breed: Norwich Terrier Handler: Jorge Olivera Owner: M Jacobs, J Roga & K Wood Breeder: K Wood #3- Dog Reg: CH Keepsake’s Cherry Cola [Bitch] Breed: Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Handler: Owner: S & S Robinson #4- Dog Reg: CH Bravo Moonstruck [Bitch] Breed: Scottish Terrier Handler: Owner: R Ott & P Kuhn

Toy Judge’s Name:

Total Entry: 149 #1- Dog Reg: GCHG Cuna Del Renacimiento Give It 2Me [Bitch] Breed: Poodle (Toy) Handler: Daniel Chavez Owner: C Gauche Breeder: V Lopez #2- Dog Reg: GCHB Wyzaguyz Gioia Di Vivere [Bitch] Breed: Pomeranian Handler: Owner: L Wyza & C Silverberg #3- Dog Reg: GCHP Winsome N Nirvana’s Lil Nitro Gummy Bear [Dog] Breed: Pug Handler: Susie Olivera Owner: V Cox-Flatley & E Veltman Breeder: E Veltman & V Cox-Flatley #4- Dog Reg: GCH Waski Grey Poupon [Dog] Breed: Brussels Griffon Handler: Owner: V Swarowski DVM Breeder: V Swarowski DVM

Non-Sporting Judge’s Name:

Total Entry: 136 #1- Dog Reg: GCHP Jogoso’s Justified FDC [Dog] Breed: Shiba Inu Handler: Laurie Jordan-Fenner Owner: S Ozasa, N Baron, M Chang & L Sakashita Breeder: S Ozasa, L Sakashita & L Huang #2- Dog Reg: GCH Tre Run’s Here For The Party At Double D FITB TKN [Bitch] Breed: Boston Terrier Handler: Alex Hooper Owner: D Donald, L Cowhig & T L Wisler-Hooper #3- Dog Reg: GCH Sentry’s A Force 2B Reckoned With [Dog] Breed: Chinese Shar-Pei Handler: Owner: Danielle & Michael Johnson, Annalyssa Johnson & Lisa Moller #4- Dog Reg: GCHG AVR A Million Dreams Of Goldshield [Dog] Breed: French Bulldog Handler: Alberto Montila Owner: G & C Addicott Breeder: J Pugliani

Herding Judge’s Name:

Total Entry: 123 #1- Dog Reg: GCHS Mon Amie Guardian Of The Galaxy At Terra [Dog] Breed: Bouvier des Flandres Handler: Elizabeth Jordan-Nelson Owner: C & D Thames, T Burian Creel & T Saltos Breeder: C & D Thames, T Burian Creel & T Saltos #2- Dog Reg: GCHS Scott’s Rebel Without A Cause [Dog] Breed: Bearded Collie Handler: Susie Olivera Owner: C & T Wathen & J & S Olivera Breeder: C & T Wathen & J & S Olivera #3- Dog Reg: GCHG Summerwind Light It Up At Brinton Hall HT FDC [Bitch] Breed: Miniature American Shepherd Handler: Larry Fenner Owner: W & P Zagrodney Breeder: L Alward #4- Dog Reg: GCHG Shorewind-Holther’s Pinball Wizard CGC TKN ATT [Dog] Breed: Border Collie Handler: Laurie Jordan-Fenner Owner: N Baron Breeder: C Bell & H Grooms

Please note these results are not official and may be subject to change once official results are submitted to AKC. The Canine Chronicle is not responsible for any errors or inadvertent omissions in the information reported on this site. All information on www.caninechronicle.com is the sole property of The Canine Chronicle and Endeavor Publications, Inc. Reproduction of contents,either whole or in part is not permitted without consent of the publisher.

Short URL: https://caninechronicle.com/?p=368099

The ladies of Season 20 will have even more juice to spill on .

Each week, viewers can watch the Season 20 cast — including Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra Judge, Shannon Storms Beador, Heather Dubrow, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti, and Carmella Garcia — break down the latest RHOC episode's most explosive drama and can't-miss moments.

Even before the After Show's kickoff, 's landmark 20th season has already shown the orange-holders navigating some major ups and downs. After celebrating "OG of the OC" Vicki's return, the "Tres Amigas" reunited amid Tamra and Shannon's reconciliation. Gina, for her part, has been vacillating between joy and concerns surrounding her recent engagement to Travis Mullen, while bestie Emily is dealing with her and husband Shane Simpson's marital problems and issues with her three kids. Jenn, meanwhile, has been immersed in her own friend group and family drama, as have both new Housewife Carmella and Heather, whose mom Carole recently moved to Los Angeles.

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And there's much more to come. Read on to learn everything to know about when and where to watch new episodes of the RHOC After Show for Season 20, so you don't miss any behind-the-scenes scoop.

Where to watch and stream the RHOC After Show

New episodes of the RHOC After Show drop every Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on BravoTV.com and on YouTube, with episodes available to stream on Peacock the following day.

Where can you stream previous seasons of the RHOC After Show?

Previous seasons of the RHOC After Show are not available to stream. However, you can catch up on past seasons of RHOC on Peacock.

The RHOC After Show pairings for Season 20

Tamra and Heather teamed up for the After Show, having already worked through some friendship drama earlier in Season 20. Noticing some major growth, Heather recently remarked on RHOC, "I love this Tamra."

Newcomer Carmella was already friends with Jenn prior to joining RHOC Season 20, solidifying the established duo as a natural match for the After Show as well.

Despite their brief argument earlier on Season 20, besties Gina and Emily quickly rebounded and continued to pair up for cast trip room assignments — and now, too, on the RHOC After Show.

After triumphantly reclaiming her orange, Vicki's RHOC comeback continues, with the "OG of the OC" returning to the After Show in a solo interview setup.

Similarly, Shannon will be breaking down all of the latest RHOC drama in her very own After Show setup.