Heather Dubrow is all in on Vicki Gunvalson’s return to The Real Housewives of Orange County — but how does she think it will change the show’s dynamic?
“What I hope is — and what I’m manifesting for us is — that we are moving forward,” Heather, 56, exclusively told Us Weekly at BravoCon 2025 on Saturday, November 15, after the network confirmed Vicki, 63, as a full-time Housewife for season 20 of the OG franchise.
Heather, who was part of the cast for seasons 7 through 11 before making her comeback in 2021 during season 16, revealed she “loves” that RHOC has had “all these people come back,” including Tamra Judge beginning in season 17 and Gretchen Rossi for season 19.
“It’s very nostalgic, and I think there could be some of that in season 20 too,” she teased. “But, really, this is about a group of friends, and the conflict and resolution comes between us.”
Rich Polk/Bravo (2)
Heather mused, “So where are we now? And where are we going forward? Where are we going in the future? We’re not going backwards any more.”
During “The Bravos” at the BravoCon panel on Friday, November 14, Andy Cohen surprised Vicki and fans alike when he joined her on stage to ask an important question.
“Vicki, would you join us as a Housewife for Season 20?” the producer asked before handing her a coveted RHOC orange.
Vicki happily accepted, later telling Us she had no clue Cohen, 57, was going to extend the invitation to return to the show so publicly.
“When he asked me about season 20, I was really somber going out there because I thought, ‘This is my last time on stage. This is my last time with BravoCon. They’re putting me out to pasture,’” Vicki confessed on Saturday. “‘I’m going to kick and scream the whole way out, but I’m going to do it.’ And then, when he asked me, it took a while for me to understand that this is my next life now for at least a year.”
Vicki was an original RHOC cast member and continued on the show for 14 seasons before announcing her departure in January 2020.
While the way her return was announced caught fans by surprise, Heather told Us on Saturday, “Am I shocked that she’s coming back for season 20? No. I think it’s so exciting.”
Alexis Bellino, Vicki Gunvalson, Gretchen Rossi, Heather Dubrow and Tamra Judge. Cindy Ord/Getty Images
Heather noted it is “so great” to be reunited with Vicki. Heather revealed that, amid the news, she and Tamra, 58, did a photo shoot with Vicki, who would “not put the orange down.”
“She wouldn’t even let them take it for a photo. She’s like, ‘Are you gonna give it back? Who’s got it?’” Heather teased. “It’s great. It’s really fun.”
When the Us reporter joked that Vicki once said she had a “long list of demands” before she’d come back to RHOC, Heather laughed.
“Here [is her] long list of demands: ‘Am I breathing? Do I have a pulse? Did you ask? Yes, I’m in,’” Heather teased.
Related: RHOC’s Emily Simpson Claims Vicki Gunvalson Still Doesn’t Trust Tamra Judge
According to Emily Simpson, Vicki Gunvalson’s The Real Housewives of Orange County return brought an underlying animosity. While speaking with Us Weekly at BravoCon 2025 on Friday, November 14, Emily, 49, revealed that she recently ran into Vicki, 63, on the red carpet. “She was, like, ‘Well, I still don’t trust her. I don’t trust […]
Vicki’s return as the “OG of the OC” comes after she and Tamra — both part of the Tres Amigas with Shannon Beador — mended fences following their recent feud.
“We’ve had a lot of ups and downs in our 20 years. I always say we’re like sisters,” Tamra exclusively told Us on November 5. “It’s that love-hate relationship all the time. I’m talking sisterly love, like, you have little arguments. And then, of course, being on a show together, there’s always ups and downs — especially the type of show that we were on together.”
Thank You!
You have successfully subscribed.
Despite putting their differences aside, Tamra told Us at BravoCon that she was “totally surprised” that Vicki was rejoining the cast.
“No, I did not know it was gonna go down,” Tamra told Us on Saturday in Las Vegas. “I’ve been, you know, spending a little time with Vicki lately and talking with her. And I’m like, ‘Have you got any news?’ You know, normally we don’t get news about next season till about December or January. So she’s like, ‘No, I haven’t heard anything.’”
Tamra added that she is “so happy” Vicki is getting her orange back.