Vicki Gunvalson’s daughter, Briana Culberson, wasn’t thrilled about her mom’s decision to return to The Real Housewives of Orange County.
“Briana said, ‘No, Mom. The show has never been good for you. You’ve always lost relationships,’” Vicki, 64, said during a recent panel discussion celebrating the RHOC season 20 premiere.
Before the Bravo hit’s return on Thursday, June 9, Vicki told Us Weekly that Briana’s concerns extended to the reality star’s relationship with boyfriend Michael Smith, whom she began dating in 2022.
“My daughter is very protective over me, and she just said, ‘Please don’t ruin this relationship by putting Michael on [the show], because Lord knows it’s not easy for these guys,’” she recalled. “And I said, ‘I think we’re OK.’ And Michael is very supportive. I got incredible kids, and they got their lives.”
Vicki shares Briana, 39, and son Michael Wolfsmith with first husband Michael J. Wolfsmith, whom she was married to from 1982 to 1991. The Bravolebrity was also previously married to Don Gunvalson from 1994 to 2014.
Vicki said during the panel discussion that she ultimately agreed to keep her relationship with Smith, 65, off camera — for the most part.
“[He] did appear a little bit this year,” she teased.
Vicki initially starred on RHOC from season 1 to season 13 before she was demoted to a “friend of” in season 14. She later returned to the show as a guest in seasons 17 and 18.
“The truth is we’re always looking to freshen up every show,” Andy Cohen exclusively told Us of the decision to demote Vicki in 2019. “She’s been on the show for 14 years. That is an unprecedented run on a scripted show, on a reality show, anything.”
He added that Vicki was still “very much a part of” season 14 despite her different role, explaining, “It’s just about keeping everything fresh.”
Vicki was invited back to the show full-time in celebration of RHOC’s milestone 20th season. Andy, 58, announced the news at BravoCon in November 2025 by presenting Vicki with an orange.
“I was so excited to give Vicki that orange back,” he said at the time. “We don’t take it lightly that The Real Housewives of Orange County is turning 20, and so we thought it would be a really fun thing to bring her back. And I really wanted to do it in front of all of you.”
Vicki teased her return to RHOC while speaking to Us at the 2026 Newport Beach TV Fest on June 5.
“I was excited about being back and being with my girlfriends and showing everybody what I’ve been up to,” she said. “I’m still really good friends with Shannon [Beador] on and off camera, Tamra [Judge] as well. It was easy.”
The Real Housewives of Orange County season 20 premieres on Bravo Thursday, July 9, at 8 p.m. ET.
