Vicki Gunvalson is officially returning to *The Real Housewives of Orange County* as a full-time housewife. The announcement came during the taping of The Bravos event amid BravoCon in Las Vegas, where Andy Cohen presented Gunvalson with her iconic orange.
“Vicki, would you join us as a housewife for Season 20?” Cohen asked Gunvalson on stage. The OG of the OC is set to return for the highly anticipated Season 20.
*The Real Housewives of Orange County* (RHOC) was the series that launched the entire Real Housewives franchise. Since its debut, the franchise has expanded to include cities such as New York City, Atlanta, Potomac, Beverly Hills, Dubai, Miami, Salt Lake City, and more.
Gunvalson was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at The Bravos in 2023, an accolade many believed would mark her farewell from the Bravo universe. However, the honor of holding an orange once more as a full-time housewife to celebrate 20 years of the franchise proves that Gunvalson remains an enduring icon.
RHOC originally premiered on Bravo in 2006, and Gunvalson quickly became a fan favorite due to her outrageous personality and her legendary ability to “whoop it up” at Andale’s in Puerto Vallarta or on any of the cast’s trips. She remained a full-time housewife for 13 seasons before being downgraded to a “friend of” role in Season 14.
While Gunvalson has continued to make guest appearances over the years, Season 20 will mark her full-time return to the franchise, much to the delight of longtime fans.
Gunvalson’s return comes as she and fellow RHOC co-star Tamra Judge appear to have reconciled following a highly publicized feud that unfolded both in the media and on social media. Judge had been estranged from Gunvalson and Shannon Beador, but Season 20 is expected to chronicle how the reunited “Tres Amigas” work through their differences and get the trip back together.
The RHOC cast from Season 19 includes Tamra Judge, Shannon Beador, Heather Dubrow, Gina Kirschenheiter, Emily Simpson, Jennifer Pedranti, and Katie Ginella. Additionally, Gretchen Rossi appeared as a “friend of” in the latest season.
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https://deadline.com/2025/11/vicki-gunvalson-returning-real-housewives-of-orange-county-season-20-cast-1236618331/
