Vicki Gunvalson has likened signing onto the “Real Housewives” franchise to making “a deal with the devil.”
The “Real Housewives of Orange County” alum, 62, opened up about her experience on the hit show on Vice’s new series, “The Dark Side of Reality TV,” which aired Tuesday.
“I definitely feel like it’s a deal with the devil,” said Gunvalson, who is one of the original cast members of the “RHOC” franchise.
The Bravolebrity — who began starring on the hit reality series in 2006 — said she was paid “nothing, zero” for her first season.
“Season 2 I believe I got paid $5,000 for the whole season,” she shared. “Not much money, I didn’t even have an attorney look over my contract. I had no idea what I was doing.”
After the franchise had proved to be a major hit, Gunvalson’s paycheck reflect Bravo’s growing success.
In fact, season 13 saw the reality star rake in a whopping seven-figure salary in 2018.
“My final full-time season, [the pay] was significant. Seven figures. I never really thought I would make the number I was making,” she said.
Still, it hasn’t all been smooth-sailing.
Gunvalson, like many of her co-stars, had to endure tough life moments in front of the camera, including her divorce from husband Donn Gunvalson.
The star filed for divorce from Donn in 2010, but it wasn’t finalized until 4 years later.
“People ask me if I regret doing the show and when I look at my relationships I’d say yes,” she said.
“With Donn, 100% the show had an impact on our relationship. Being on TV 100% had a role in our divorce because it puts a lot of pressure on a marriage. I think we would’ve survived if I wasn’t on the show. So that I regret.”
In addition to her divorce, Gunvalson found out about her Joanne Steinmetz’s death while the cameras were rolling.
While filming Season 10, Gunvalson was playing games with her co-stars at Shannon Beador’s home when her family members were trying to reach her to tell her the tragic news.
“I was really upset that production knew for an hour, and they didn’t tell me,” she recalled. “They were out of line, and I think they should have taken me aside and said, ‘Your mom has passed. Talk to your daughter off-camera.’ If I was a producer, that’s what I would’ve done.”
She recalled feeling uneasy after production decided to “set up” a room in Beador’s house with “lights and cameramen” for her to use the landline and call her daughter.
“Let me scream and cry on my own and be mad,” she added. “It was very, very traumatic. I will never forgive Bravo for that.”
