TV Show - Aug 29, 2022
As a result of the "Cancer-Gate" scandal on the Real Housewives of Orange County, the show has undergone significant changes. Can Vicki's downfall be traced to this pivotal moment? A turning point in the history of The Real Housewives of Orange County, which was the very first Real Housewives show, may have been when Vicki Gunvalson's downfall began.
The show has stood the test of time, but recent seasons have not been quite as popular. Despite this, franchise fans worldwide continue to watch the show. There was a particular moment in the show that left a lasting impression on me.
The Real Housewives of Orange County season 7 introduced audiences to Vicki Gunvalson's boyfriend Brooks Ayers. In the beginning, even Vicki's best friend and fellow housewife Tamra Judge approved of him and enjoyed his company.
There was a great deal of relief among Vicki's fans when her marriage to Donn Gunvalson ended, but it wasn't long before cracks began to appear in the new romance Vicki had started after her marriage to Donn ended.
The couple's story ended with Season 10. After Tamra's psychic told Tamra, Heather Dubrow, and Meghan O'Toole King that Brooks was not sick with cancer, the rumors started, and Brooks' credibility began to be questioned.
The most cynical of the group was Meghan, facing her ex-husband's cancer diagnosis during the same season. As Meghan continued to investigate, she began to see many holes in Brooks' story, including how he treated patients.
She was defensive when the women asked about this, reassuring them that they had no reason to be suspicious. It was at this point that Vicki began to lose her shine as a housewife on RHOC. As a result of Vicki standing up for Brooks throughout the season, and telling the women not to assume the worst, Brooks eventually revealed that he had faked medical records about his diagnosis.
The revelation confirmed many viewers' and cast members' suspicions. Additionally, it tarnished Vicki's image among the cast and created a visible rift between them. In season 11, David Beador confronted Vicki for complicity in Brooks' cancer scam at Shannon Storms Beador's Seventies-themed party.
Related: RHOC's most dramatic outbursts from Vicki Gunvalson
The final seasons of Vicki's time on The Real Housewives of Orange County were filled with moments that reflected poorly on her. The show demoted Vicki to a "friend of" role in season 13 before she left entirely in season 15.
There is a general feeling that Vicki had gotten too big for her britches by the time she dealt with the infamous 'Cancer-Gate' situation and all its after-effects. In season 14, she stormed off the set and called RHOC "my show.".
