The OG of the OC, Vicki Gunvalson, is navigating her way through her first season of being demoted to Friend of status. Coming back for her 14th season must be difficult for the Real Housewives of Orange County cast member, but you have to respect the fact that she didn’t just walk away from the show. Vicki probably didn’t want to give up her status as a reality star, despite the embarrassing demotion.
Viewers have watched Vicki through the years–building her business, raising her children Briana Culberson and Michael Wolfsmith and undergoing numerous cosmetic procedures. Not to mention her shady shenanigans with ex-boyfriend Brooks Ayers. Although Vicki is now engaged to Steve Lodge, many viewers have maintained a fondness for her ex Donn Gunvalson. So, where does their relationship stand today?
On a recent episode of the Watch What Happens Live Aftershow, a caller asked Vicki about the status of her friendship with Donn. Sadly, Vicki replied, “No, there’s no friendship, unfortunately. I definitely have regrets on what I did and I hurt him and I broke his heart. But, I was out of the marriage mentally.”
Viewers remember that Vicki and Donn’s marriage started falling apart after their beach vow renewal, with a lack of communication and career issues coming between them. Sneaky Vicki later filed for divorce while Donn was out of town, blindsiding him.
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Vicki admitted on the show, “[Donn] was not prepared for me to file for divorce, but you know, it happened. And we’re not friends.” Which is sad, as they were married for almost 20 years.
Although Vicki and Donn are not currently friendly, he is still connected to her family. Vicki shared, “He sees Briana and Troy and Owen and Ryan [Culberson] a lot. We don’t talk at all.” Ryan’s Instagram is full of photos of Donn visiting the Culberson family in North Carolina. It is great they were able to maintain that connection.
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Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen asked Vicki, “Are you resentful of the fact that you had to pay [Donn] after the divorce?”
Surprisingly, Vicki answered, “No, because it’s not gender-specific anymore. So, I was the primary breadwinner and at the time, I was like, dang, I don’t want to pay you this much.”
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However, Vicki’s divorce lawyer eventually helped change her mind. She revealed, “My attorney sat me down and said, ‘You are the breadwinner, you make more than him and he deserves it.'”
Vicki went on to say, “I thought, you know what, I could fight in court or just fold and so…” Vicki then laughed and stated, “So, he’s retired, I’m not. So, you know what, he’s a great man. We just got off course, you know. And I couldn’t get it back on track.”
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Could the marriage between Vicki and Donn have been saved? Vicki’s OC pal Tamra Judge had a marriage to Simon Barney that was clearly toxic. Her friend Shannon Beador’s marriage to David Beador should have ended years before it did. But Vicki and Donn? Their problems seemed like they could have been worked on if they chose to do so. However, no one really knows what goes on in a marriage except the couple themselves.
Maybe Vicki and Donn can be friends again someday. Until then, I hope Donn is relaxing in peace on a screech-free tropical beach somewhere, reviewing his well-deserved divorce settlement investments on his laptop. With a big Pina Colada by his side.
RELATED: Tamra Judge Reveals If She Would Leave Real Housewives If She Was Demoted Like Vicki Gunvalson
TELL US- DO YOU THINK VICKI ENDED HER MARRIAGE TO DONN TOO QUICKLY? WILL VICKI AND DONN BE FRIENDS AGAIN SOME DAY?
[Photo Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo]
