Vicki Gunvalson was ‘jealous’ and ‘mad’ over Tamra Judge’s ‘RHOC’ return

Reality TV

The OG of the OC was not OK.

Vicki Gunvalson admitted in a new interview that she was upset over best friend Tamra Judge’s return to “The Real Housewives of Orange County” for Season 17. 

“I was jealous, mad,” the Bravolebrity, 60, told Us Weekly on Tuesday.

“I thought the phone would be ringing for [me]. I’m like, ‘Hello, Andy [Cohen], you’re not calling me!’”

Gunvalson — who was part of the original cast when the show premiered in 2006  — has since come to terms with Judge’s comeback. 

“I’m so happy for her,” the Coto Insurance founder said, also claiming that Judge, 55, “really wanted it more” than her. “She’s good TV.”

Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge
Vicki Gunvalson admitted that she was “jealous” over Tamra Judge’s return to “The Real Housewives of Orange County.”
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via

Judge, who joined “RHOC” in 2007’s Season 3, dropped her orange after 2019’s Season 14. Meanwhile, Gunvalson lost her full-time position in 2018 after 13 consecutive seasons on the reality hit. 

In August, Gunvalson said on E!’s “Daily Pop” that Bravo’s decision to bring Judge back — and not her — was emotionally difficult. 

Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge
Today, Gunvalson insists she is “so happy” for Judge.

Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge
Today, Gunvalson insists she is “so happy” for Judge.


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The immediate thing I did was cry,” she said at the time, adding that she even asked herself, “What does [Judge] have that I don’t have?”

Gunvalson and Judge reunited onscreen for Peacock’s “Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Ex-Wives Club,” which finished airing in July. 

Gunvalson and Judge, pictured here at BravoCon 2022 with Brandi Glanville, reunited onscreen for Peacock’s “Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Ex-Wives Club.”

Tamra Judge and Vicki Gunvalson
Gunvalson and Judge reunited onscreen this year for Peacock’s “Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Ex-Wives Club.”


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One week before the season finale, Page Six broke the news that Judge would be reclaiming her spot on “Orange County.”

“Tamra is thrilled to come back to the show, especially after feeling the fan love from her stint on ‘Ultimate Girls Trip,’” an insider told us exclusively at the time. 

Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge
Gunvalson and Judge starred on “RHOC” together for more than a decade.

Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge
Gunvalson and Judge starred on “RHOC” together for more than a decade.


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“She can’t wait to get back in the mix on ‘RHOC’ and see how she can shake up the dynamic.”

Months later, Gunvalson was spotted filming scenes with Judge and their mutual pal, Shannon Beador, stoking speculation that she got the call to resume her role after all. 

Shannon Beador, Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge
Gunvalson was spotted filming scenes for “RHOC” Season 17 with Judge and their mutual pal Shannon Beador this year.
NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

However, Gunvalson clarified her participation in Season 17 while chatting with Page Six at BravoCon in October. 

“I wasn’t cast as a full-time ‘Housewife’ or even a ‘friend of.’ I filmed a scene with Tamra and Shannon which was fun and I miss filming. But nothing more,” she told us of her “Housewife” status. 

Vicki Gunvalson
“I miss filming,” Gunvalson told Page Six in October.
Getty Images

Despite her exit seemingly causing a rift between the Tres Amigas, Gunvalson revealed that her friendship with both Beador, 58, and Judge is stronger than ever.

“We’re good! We’re all good. I was in Tamra’s room this morning and then I was out with Shannon last night,” she shared at the three-day fan convention in New York City. “So everything’s fine. Everything’s been fine.” 

Bravo has yet to announce a premiere date for “The Real Housewives of Orange County” Season 17. 

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