Roxanne 
Andy Cohen is reflecting on Vicki Gunvalson’s legacy as The Real Housewives of Orange County celebrates its milestone 20th season — and even he admits he never expected the OG of the OC to become the franchise’s most enduring star.
In a new interview with the New York Times marking RHOC’s milestone 20th season, Andy reflected on Vicki’s legacy as one of the original cast members of the franchise — and admitted he never predicted that her story would still be going two decades later.
“I don’t know that in Season 1 we would’ve put all our money on Vicki being the housewife whose story we’re still telling,” Andy told The New York Times. “As much as her life has changed, she has not changed.”
That may be exactly why Vicki has remained such a major part of Housewives history.
Vicki, who helped launch the entire Real Housewives franchise in 2006, became known for her work-hard, play-hard lifestyle, her “love tank,” her emotional breakdowns, her fiery arguments and, of course, her iconic “Woo-hoo!” energy.
While some Housewives have been accused of changing once the cameras went up, Vicki says she has always stayed true to herself.
“Some people feel like they have to do a different personality when they’re on,” Vicki said. “I don’t, because I can see right through it.”
Over the years, fans have watched Vicki go through divorce, heartbreak, new relationships, fractured friendships, business success and some of the most controversial moments in RHOC history. Through it all, she has never been afraid to show her emotions.
“I’m a crier, so I’m very emotional and I try to stuff it, but then it wouldn’t be me, you know?” Vicki shared. “So I just let it all hang out and see where it goes.”
That unfiltered approach is a huge part of why Vicki became one of reality TV’s most defining personalities.
Housewives author Brian Moylan also weighed in on Vicki’s legacy, pointing out that the early Housewives were not trying to create a reality TV persona — they were simply being themselves.
“That you’ll never be able to replace with these early-stage Housewives is they weren’t playing Housewives,” Moylan said. “And in just being herself, Vicki did create the model of what a housewife is supposed to be, which is real, authentic, a little bit crazy, a little bit narcissistic, a little bit delusional.”
Andy also summed up Vicki’s impact perfectly, saying that for 20 years, “the world has been reflected through this unlikely insurance agent in Orange County.”
Although Vicki took a step back from RHOC for a few seasons and returned as a “friend” in others, her presence has always loomed large over the franchise.
Whether fans love her, disagree with her or think she is too much, there is no denying that Vicki helped define what it means to be a Real Housewife.
And as RHOC enters its 20th season, Vicki is back once again.
The Real Housewives of Orange County Season 20 premieres Thursday, July 9 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo.
