January 29, 2020
The shocking news broke that two of Bravo’s RHOC longest running casemates; Vicki Gunvalson, 57, and Tamra Judge, 52, are leaving the Real Housewives franchise within 24-hours of one another on Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25th.
Vicki Gunvalson announced her departure from the franchise on Friday (Jan 24) after she was reportedly not offered a contract renewal for season 15 of RHOC, or to reprise her reduced role as a friend on the show. With over 10 years of sharing their lives on the Bravo reality series, the OG’s of the OC have decided to leave the show that made them a household name on “their own terms.”
“I will always be the OG of the OC, but it’s time to say goodbye to The Real Housewives of Orange County,” Gunvalson wrote on Instagram. “It’s been an incredible ride for 14 years and I want [to] thank all of you for your support, for your love and for ‘whooping it up’ with me along the way.”
Vicki Gunvalson's Instagram share with a throwback photo:
Gunvalson went on to self promote her future venture by plugging, “I’ve been working on new projects that will be exciting, empowering and inspirational,” she wrote. “My podcast with Westwood One will be launching soon and I will have much more to say about this on Whoop it up with Vicki. I hope you will join me on my new journey, so please stay tuned. I love all my fans, and I want to thank Bravo and Evolution for this incredible experience which my family and I have will never forget.”
Gunvalson had an on-air meltdown in the dressing room at the RHOC Season 14 Reunion, where she took shots at Andy Cohen and felt disrespected by the producers and cast. It wasn't too long after the reunion aired that Gunvalson made public that she was not happy with Bravo and threatened not to return. There was also a lawsuit in question that Gunvalson filed against the network which may have been a factor in their decision to not renew her contract.
On the heels of Gunvalson quitting, Tamra Judge announced on Saturday (Jan 25), her departure from the “Real Housewives of Orange County”, one day after Vicki quit. In the video below, Judge claims that she received a text from Bravo production to call them and then doesn't really go into details about the firing.
“It’s been a wild 12 years. But it’s time for me to move on. Im sad to go but I’m very excited about my future . Love ❤️ you guys ✌🏼,” Judge shared on Instagram.
Gunvalson, an original cast member, later replied to Judge’s post, “We have shared so many great and not so great times together and it has been the ride of our lives. Thelma and Louise …. now where do you want to go?!”
Shortly after Judge’s announcement that she was leaving the show, she then quickly deleted Cohen and the rest of her RHOC castmates from her Instagram and social media accounts. Later, Andy Cohen followed up with Judge via Instagram live to reveal why she deleted everyone and her plans for the future. In the video, Judge repeatedly states she was "fired" by the network.
Watch "Spilling The Tea" video here:
There are appears to be no bad blood between the former housewives and Andy Cohen however time will tell how long putting on a good face will last. One thing for sure is it is the end of an era for RHOC.