In a new series titled “The Dark Side of Reality TV,” former “Real Housewives of Orange County” star Vicki Gunvalson criticized Bravo for filming her reaction to her mother’s death on the show. Gunvalson revealed that while filming Season 10 of the reality series, she was playing games with her co-stars when her family members tried to reach her with the tragic news. After an hour of production knowing about the situation, they set up a room for Gunvalson to use the landline to call her daughter, leading her to feel upset with the way the news was handled.
Gunvalson expressed her dissatisfaction with how the situation was handled by production, feeling that they should have informed her privately about her mother passing away rather than setting up a room for her to react on camera. She stated that the experience was traumatic for her and that she will never forgive Bravo for the way they handled the situation. Despite not having seen the scene air on television, she noted that she signed up for her life to be exposed on the show, including both positive and negative moments, such as the loss of her mother.
During the phone call with her daughter, Gunvalson was visibly shocked and emotional, falling to the floor and crying out in disbelief. She expressed her need for her mother, feeling lost without her and questioning who would care for her now that both her parents were gone. Gunvalson had previously discussed the incident on “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen,” where she clarified that her mother was not seen on the show and that it was simply her receiving the news of her passing.
Although Gunvalson initially appeared accepting of the televised moment, stating that she would not blame Bravo or the production company for airing it, her recent comments in the new series suggest that the experience was more challenging than she initially let on. She urged for more sensitivity and privacy in handling such personal and emotional moments, emphasizing the impact it had on her mental and emotional wellbeing. Gunvalson’s revelations have sparked a conversation about the ethical boundaries of reality TV and the responsibility of production companies when dealing with sensitive subject matter.
Bravo has yet to respond to Gunvalson’s comments or requests for comment on the matter. The controversy surrounding the filming of Gunvalson’s reaction to her mother’s death has brought attention to the darker aspects of reality TV and the toll it can take on its participants. Gunvalson’s candid reflections on the incident have shed light on the behind-the-scenes of reality television and the emotional toll it can have on those involved, sparking a larger conversation about the ethics of airing such personal moments for entertainment.
