Vicki Gunvalson has compared signing on to the “Real Housewives” franchise to making “a deal with the devil.”
The 62-year-old “Real Housewives of Orange County” alum opened up about her experience on the hit show in 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 Bravo celebrity — who began starring on the hit reality series in 2006 — said she was paid “nothing, zero” for her first season.
“I believe in Season 2 I got paid $5,000 for the entire season,” he shared. “Not much money, I didn't even have a lawyer look at my contract. I had no idea what I was doing.”
After the franchise proved to be a huge hit, Gunvalson's salary reflects Bravo's growing success.
In fact, the season 13 reality star earned a whopping seven-figure salary in 2018.
“My last full-time session, [the pay] Was important. Seven points. I never really thought I'd be making the numbers that I'm making,'' she said.
Still, it is not all going smoothly.
Gunvalson, like many of her co-stars, had to endure difficult moments in life in front of the camera, including her divorce from husband Don Gunvalson.
The star filed for divorce from Don in 2010, but it was not finalized until 4 years later.
She said, “People ask me if I regret doing the show and when I look at my relationships I would say yes.”
“With Don, the show had a 100% impact on our relationship. Being on TV 100% played a role in our divorce because it puts a lot of strain on the marriage. I think we would have survived if I was not in the show. So that I regret.”
In addition to his divorce, Gunvalson learned of Joan Steinmetz's death while the cameras were rolling.
While shooting season 10, Gunvalson was playing games with her co-stars at Shannon Beador's house when her family members tried to reach her to tell her the sad news.
“I was really upset that production knew for an hour, and they didn't tell me,” she recalls. “They were out of line, and I think they should have taken me aside and said, 'Your mother has passed away.' Talk to your daughter off-camera.' If I were a producer, this is what I would do.
She recalled feeling uncomfortable when production decided to “set up” a room with “lights and a cameraman” in Beador's house for her to use a landline and call her daughter. .
He added, “Let me scream and scream and go crazy myself.” “It was very, very painful. I will never forgive Bravo for this.