‘Real Housewives Of Orange County’ Star Vicki Gunvalson Talks Reality TV, Her Friendship With Tamra Barney And NeNe Leakes

Vicki Gunvalson is the “Real OG of the OC” when it comes to starring on the Real Housewives franchise. She has been the reigning reality star of Bravo since the Real Housewives of Orange County debuted over 10 years ago. And she has not been without her fair share of controversy. In a recent interview with the Associated Press (via Yahoo TV), she opened up about her friendships with former and current castmembers, being married on reality TV, and the other Bravo Queens, NeNe Leakes and Ramona Singer.

As far as her friendships go with the other women on her show, Gunvalson seems to be closer with her former castmates than with her current.

“It changes from season to season. Tamra is my friend… right now…. (Former cast member) Alexis Bellino absolutely is my friend. She reaches out to me weekly. I see Lynne (Curtin) every now and then. I see Jeana (Keough) every now and then. You think about all these people I’ve filmed with all these years and there’s not many I stay in touch with.”

Gunvalson has also seen her fair share of relationship drama over the last 10 seasons. Fans saw the ups and downs in her marriage with Donn, which ultimately ended in divorce.

“I definitely think you need a strong bond and a strong foundation…. It’s definitely tough on marriage and relationships. I’m in counseling over this because I don’t know how to some days handle it. ‘Is this my reality or is this reality?'”

Vicki Gunvalson is known as being very tough on new ladies on the show, but what is her reasoning behind hazing the women that Bravo deems ready to be Housewives?

“(I wonder) ‘What is their motive? Why are they coming on the show?’ The ones that are going on the show is they’re either opinionated or they have something to say. I’m the matriarch. I’m the one they’re gonna come after.”

Vicki reigns as one of the top Housewives among the reality world, does she ever check in to watch the other Bravo Queens, Ramona Singer and NeNe Leakes?

No. I don’t have time. I think what’s good for me is when I do see other ‘Real Housewives’ cast members (from other cities) like NeNe (Leakes) and Ramona (Singer) I have no opinions about them. I don’t know any of their storylines. I don’t know what’s going on but I like them as people. It’s easy that way.

Catch Vicki Gunvalson on season 10 of the Real Housewives of Orange County Mondays on Bravo.

[Image Courtesy: Bravo]