Celeb Best Blog

The ladies get a major scare the same day Alexis Bellino launches her couture label!

Vicki Gunvalson gets admitted to the hospital for surgery. But when Tamra Vieth-Barney gets all flustered, the whole ordeal takes much of the attention away from Alexis’s big day!

Will her fashion show go off without a hitch? Or will Vicki’s operation rain on her parade?

We can’t wait to see all the drama go down on Real Housewives of Orange County tonight at 10 p.m. on Bravo!

Credit: Hollywood Life (Katie Moore)

Somewhere, we know Vicki Gunvalson from Real Housewives of Orange County is yelling out her signature "Woohoo!"

After filing for divorce last October from Donn, her hubby of 16 years, who appears on the show, it seems the Bravo reality star is ready to move on. To a dude who looks just like Donn!

This week, a smiling Gunvalson and her new man were spotted shopping at the Faith Connexion store on Melrose, "laughing, flirting and sipping champagne," a source tells us.

But is "The O.C. O.G." really ready to go public with a new romance?

"No, we are not dating. He is just a friend," she tells E! exclusively.

However, a source from the store dishes to us that Gunvalson was introducing the man, Brooke Ayers, whom she met through work, as her boyfriend.

"She said they have been friends for a long time. She was raving about him and says he lets her be her, they have a great time together and she feels lucky to have found him," the store source reveals. "She was so sweet and seemed to be in love."

The two sipped on champagne in the trendy clothing store while Vicki picked up a white off-the-shoulder butterfly dress, which the source says she planned to wear to the reunion show, which is taping this week.

"Vicki also picked up four 'Faith' hats and Ayers picked up the entire tab for her purchases," adds the savvy source.

Credit: E! Online (Aly Weisman & Ashley Fultz)

Real Housewives of Orange County star Vicki Gunvalson has strong words for Brandi Glanville, the ex-wife of LeAnn Rimes’ husband Eddie Cibrian, who is joining the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

“Be careful,” she tells me at the Mint Jubilee Celebration surrounding the Kentucky Derby. “It’s not all glamour. You’re going to shed some real tears. You’re going to see people hurt you that you never thought could hurt you before. I think she’s in for a rude awakening. It’s not all fun at times, but the experiences have been that of a lifetime. I wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s been great.”

Hm, what does he think of her Beverly Hills counterparts?

“I met all the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and they were lovely ladies,” she says. “It’s interesting that they would throw another franchise in the same one-hour distance from us, but we’re very different in regards to lifestyle and money. I mean, I wish I had their money. I don’t. We’re more of the middle-class of California, whereas they’re absolutely the upper class. I think that the viewers like California, they like the lifestyle, they like the color scheme, and both of our shows are being a hit because of that.”

Vicki, who debuted on the show in 2007, confesses that her portion of the reality show is as real as it gets.

“I just know my story’s all true. I don’t know what the other girls are doing. This is a reality TV show, and I feel like a lot of it is being lost in this pre-thinking about what we’re going to film. I don’t do that; my life is my life. When I cry, I cry real tears. When I laugh, I’m woo-hooing. I don’t know what the other women are up to; I stay focused on myself, my career, my family, and I try to do the right thing.”

What misconceptions could she clear up about herself?

“I think people love me or hate me,” she says.  “There’s no middle of the road. I’m lucky today at the Oaks, I had so many people come up and cry and say I’ve given them inspiration as a woman, and taught them good work ethic. They complimented me on being a good mother. If there’s anything negative, I don’t hear it. I try to stay away from the blogs and the bad things. I think the bad would be that I’m insensitive and I’m too hard, but I’m not. I’m compassionate and caring about other people. I give back to our community, and I love my work and my family. If that’s what makes me a bad person, then so be it.”

Credit: OK! Magazine (Valerie Nome)

Vicki Gunvalson, The Mint Jubilee co-founder Tom Thieneman and wife, Judy Thieneman attend The Mint Jubilee at The Palace Theatre on May 6, 2011 in Louisville, Kentucky.

Credit: Zimbio

Real Housewives of Orange County's Vicki Gunvalson just isn't "woo-hooing" with as much vigor as she used to -- and with good reason.

As a new clip from Sunday's episode shows, the 48-year-old has had it with pals who prod her with relationship questions.

Recounting a dinner party Gunvalson attended with fellow wives Tamra Barney and Peggy Tanous, Gunvalson's husband, Donn, quickly becomes the lead topic of conversation. But when Tanous brings up how lively Donn was at the bash Gunvalson changes the subject.

"Every time someone would bring up Donn, I'd see Vicki get tighter and cringing," says Barney in a voiceover, as Tanous presses for more and her pal finally cracks.

"The reality is, my world is falling apart," the insurance executive -- who wed Donn in 1994 and filed for divorce in October -- laments. "My marriage is falling apart, my security is falling apart, and I'm miserable within my own mind and my body. I don't know where I belong anymore!"

As the couple's rocky romance crumbles on camera, Gunvalson admitted to Us Weekly in March that she and her estranged spouse were still living under the same roof.

"My love tank has truly been empty for many many years," Gunvalson said. "We stopped communicating. My happiness came from my work and my children," she explained of Michael and Brianna, her grown kids from her first marriage.

"I didn't go to Donn for friendship or companionship, and he didn't with me either," she told Us.

Credit: Us Magazine

Last night's Derby Poker Championship was a charity event to benefit Blessings in a Backpack. It wasn't uncommon to hear celebrities and pros alike shouting "Re-up! It's all for the kids!"

Among the first to go out were Real Housewives of Orange County's Vicki Gunvalson and Blue Collar Comedy's Ron White. Still going strong toward the latter part of the evening were Coach Denny Crum and Melissa Biggs from Baywatch.

When Phil Helmuth arrived on the red carpet I made sure to ask him whether or not he'd be on good behavior for the night. He said he hadn't decided quite yet. He was an entertaining emcee and frequently interviewed other poker pros and celebrities during the event. He was quick to give Ron White a hard time for going out so early, and even handed off the mic to Robert Williamson III so he could play a hand or two himself.

Everyone was in great spirits and took advantage of the bars on both levels serving Jim Beam and other drinks that helped party-goers get loose on the dance floor.

Surprising celebrity encounter of the evening was an impromptu chat with Ron White at the pizza place next to the Palace, where he told me I had cute boots and I told him I liked his Prada carryall (i.e. purse.) He was quick to respond, "Indiana Jones carried one just like it." He's funny even when he's not getting paid.

Credit: Louisville.com (Elise Jenkins)

Real Housewives of Orange County's favorite duo, Tamra Barney and Vicki Gunvalson, have shared their lovely faces and ample bosomry on the cover of Cabo Social magazine’s 5th Anniversary Issue!

Both ladies are sporting skimpy string bikinis with the headline “Real Housewives Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Barney Love Cabo.” The move is a bit surprising from the no-nonsense insurance mogul Vicki, but seems to the the new modus operandi for the recently divorced Tamra Barney, who has found a new zest for life after separating herself from her tumultuous relationship with ex Simon Barney and moving on to tan super-hunk Eddie Judge.

Both women are looking great (as usual) but Vicki looks a little different dontcha think? Maybe it’s the hair? Or maybe it’s the separation from husband Don that has transformed her look?

Cabo Social publishes their magazines online, but the May 2011 Issue with Vicki and Tamra isn’t on the site yet. (It shouldn’t be too much longer according to this tweet from the publication on April 26: “New MAY issue of Cabo Social Magazine featuring #realhousewives @tamrabarney and @vgunvalson out VERY SOON”)

Credit: Starcasm (Asa Hawks)

Bravo's hit reality franchise focuses on the lives of "Real Housewives," but is it ending their marriages in the process?

Orange County's Vicki Gunvalson filed for divorce from her husband Donn last year, and claims the reality program had something to do with it.

"Six years ago when Donn and I started, we didn't have 90 percent of the problems that we have now and I truly believe it is the show," she tells CNN.

"[W]e had a good foundation. We really felt like we could battle it and the reality was I got too busy for him. My business in itself - I have 400 agents and 12 employees and I'm at the office a lot because I was trying to film TV in there and then he felt deflated… the center of my universe was not my husband," she says. "I didn't have anything left for him and we grew distant. If I didn't have the show I would have had more time for him. That's the reality."

But Gunvalson cautions that the show isn't at the root of all their troubles - her "Housewives" co-star Tamra Barney also split from her husband, but Gunvalson says that sometimes it's just a matter of life playing out in front of the camera.

“Look there's gonna be divorces and there is gonna be deaths like when Lou Knickerbocker died. We didn't expect that," she says. "[T]his is the reality and if you are throwing your life on a reality TV show, you have to be prepared for the consequences."

Credit: CNN's The Marquee Blog

Tamra and her boyfriend, Eddie, head to Spain for a romantic vacation, but what happens when he brings up the subject of babies in their future? Meanwhile, Gretchen surprises her parents with a vow renewal ceremony for their 40th anniversary.

Vicki is trying to be a better wife and mom by setting up a family excursion, but with work constantly on the brain, will she be able to tune out and put her real family first above her self-proclaimed work family? Find out this Sunday at 10/9c on Bravo’s Real Housewives of Orange County.

Credit: Nicole Hering of 360i for Bravo TV

There's a new casualty in the nasty divorce between one of the Real Housewives of Orange County and her husband -- their house.

We've learned ... Vicki Gunvalson and her hubby, Donn, have put their Coto de Caza, CA house on the market for $2.695.

The reason for the divorce -- a midlife crisis, according to Vicki. Also, they don't get along at all.

Credit: TMZ

Gretchen Rossi, Alexis Bellino, Vicki Gunvalson, Peggy Tanous and Tamra Barney of the Real Housewivs of Orange County arrive at Bravo Media's 2011 Upfront Presentation at The Roosevelt Hotel on March 30, 2011 in Hollywood, California.

Credit: Wire Image 

This week on the Real Housewives of Orange County, Tamra Barney and Vicki Gunvalson travel to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for a weekend of sunbathing, girl talk and, of course, tequila shots! But will a relaxing weekend turn wild when the two hit the bottle?

Meanwhile, Alexis Bellino decides to launch her own dress line and then catches up with Gretchen Rossi for cocktails where Gretchen seeks advice about getting remarried – will this sway her to consider marrying Slade?

Credit: Monsters and Critics (April MacIntyre)

Real Housewives of Orange County veteran Vicki Gunvalson (the only cast member left from the show's very first season) is still keeping it real with Us Magazine.

During a recent visit to Us' offices in NYC, Gunvalson, 49, admitted to Us, "I'm going through a midlife crisis."

The evidence? "I've got a convertible, a belly button ring, and I'm getting a divorce!" (Gunvalson and hubby Donn filed for divorce last year after 16 years of marriage.)

Actually, she had a belly button ring -- find out what happened to Gunvalson's piercing (ouch!) at an airport in this video, where she's joined by costars Alexis Bellino, Tamra Barney, and Gretchen Rossi.

In this exclusive chat, the Bravo stars also fess up about what plastic surgery they've had done -- and what they need! "Everybody seems to think i've had so much work done," Bellino tells Us before detailing what procedures she's undergone.

Adds divorcee Barney: "I need" a facelift.

Credit: Us Magazine

Relationships are tested amongst the ‘wives and their significant others: Gretchen continues to hound Slade during their trip to Palm Springs and Vicki, getting restless in Coto de Casa, wants to sell the house, while Donn is happy to stay put. How will it all play out?

Meanwhile, Tamra’s love life is ablazin’ with her new, younger flame. And when she makes a date to sleepover at his house, we finally meet her new boy toy, Eddie.

All this and more this Sunday 3/20 at 10:00/9:00c on BRAVO’s Real Housewives of Orange County.

Credit: Nicole Hering of 360i for Bravo TV

The Real Housewives of Orange County got an unwelcome dose of reality the other night after an unidentified man at a bar allegedly “roofied” a couple of the leading ladies, enticing Ramona Singer to urge fans: “Never take a drink from a stranger”, she tells Radar Online exclusively.

News of the incident surfaced when Tamra Barney chatted with Andy Cohen on Bravo's Watch What Happens Live! last Sunday, claiming: "I got roofied,” referring to the date rape drug Rohypnol.

The reality stars from west and east coasts, including Orange County’s Vicki Gunvalson, Tamra, and newbie Peggy Tanous, met up with Ramona at a bar in New York City a few days ago.

“So many fans came over and said ‘we love you guys,’” recalled Ramona.

And right before they called it a night, a middle-aged gentleman came over with drinks in hand.

“He sat next to Tamra and Peggy and said, ‘I have a special drink for you two ladies.’ Obviously he was watching them and decided to buy them drinks.

“Tamra drank only part of her drink, but Peggy drank all of it, poor thing.

“We all left as they finished their drinks and they got back to their hotel 20 minutes later and felt the effects,“ Ramona added.

Vicki was able to take care of the women in their affected state.

“Thankfully, Vicki was there because they almost had to go to the hospital.

“I think it’s a lesson for everyone to learn -- Never take a drink from a stranger,” Ramona said adamantly.

She added that the ladies aren’t pursuing this further, considering they don’t even know the man’s name.

“Thank god it wasn’t more serious.”

Credit: Radar Online

Real Housewives of Orange County fans weren't exactly shocked when veteran star Vicki Gunvalson filed for divorce from husband Donn last October, after much onscreen tension between the pair.

A bit more shocking: Today, nearly five months after that split announcement, the estranged spouses, who wed in 1994, remain under one roof.

"We're still living together," Vicki, 48, told Us Magazine on Friday.

But the Bravo star and insurance executive was quick to clarify that a reconciliation isn't a possibility. "We're [mediating] our divorce," she told Us. "We still have our finances co-mingled [and] joint accounts."

And, she added, they lead completely separate lives, and that Donn plans to move out within the next few months. "We don't know where each other are, ever. He's always going to be in my life."

Isn't that a little awkward? "It's very hard -- but the reality is, he's not fighting for me, he's not saying, 'Babe I want you back.' He's saying 'Babe, I wish you well.'"

What went wrong?

"My love tank has truly been empty for many many years," Gunvalson said. "We stopped communicating. My happiness came from my work and my children," she explained of Michael and Brianna, her grown kids from her first marriage.

"I didn't go to Donn for friendship or companionship, and he didn't with me either."

Things came to a head late last summer, when the couple didn't speak or see one another for six weeks. Finally, during a blowout family argument back at home, Vicki handed him a letter she'd written weeks before. "I said, 'Here, I want a divorce...I'm done.' It was the hardest day of my life."

But the couple remain on cordial terms. Before Vicki headed out to NYC for promotional duties, Vicki noted, "He said 'Break a leg, I love you, hope you're safe in New York.'"

Credit: Us Magazine

Over the years, Real Housewives of Orange County fans have watched Vicki Gunvalson tackle professional to parenting problems, all while navigating the drama synonymous with the entire Housewives franchise. Judging from the previews, Season 6, premiering Sunday at 10/9c on Bravo, may prove to be Vicki's biggest challenge yet.

Vicki Gunvalson: Each time we get a new cast member, I open my arms and I don't have preconceived notions about them, I just hope we can all get along and that was the case this year. It was just a good blend and a good fit and I was really excited about that. No drama on that end from me, so that was good. There may be some with the other girls, but I stood clear of it.

Gunvalson: Ironically, we are heading to the hospital right now. They found a mass near her lymph node in her neck so we're getting a biopsy done this morning so prayers for Brianna to have it be benign. That's our biggest concern right now.

Gunvalson: I thought she was healed and healthy. This has just been a new diagnosis in the last month. ... That really didn't have any bearing on me coming back this year. I am kind of the mama bear, I would hate to sit back and not be on this season. I enjoy the show.

Gunvalson: I think that viewers are going to be really, really happy about the humbleness of Tamra. I was put in the middle of their marriage and I had nothing to do with the demise of their marriage. I'm her friend, I love her and I want the best for her.

Gunvalson: [Fernanda]'s not really one of the Housewives. She's somebody that comes in and socializes with us, but I don't really know how we're labeling her this year. Peggy is very sweet. She's an Aries, which is fun for me because I always connect with Aries people.

Gunvalson: The answer is adamantly yes. We don't have any say of who the network chooses. It's not as organic as it used to be. [In Season 1], we all were about the same age, we all had children about the same age. Lauri, Jeana, Kimberly and myself — those were, I think, the best of times because we were good friends. ... We were a really dynamic group, so it's a little bit of a challenge for me. I miss Jeana and I miss Lauri. We had a really great synergy between us.

Gunvalson: I've got nothing against Alexis. She's very sweet, but I think she's always ready to pick a fight and I'm not. She's always trying to prove a point with me or prove she's a businesswoman. She brings dirt up a lot. I don't want to be around that.

Gunvalson: I don't know. All I do know is that I work really hard and filming takes up a lot of time and then you try and fill in your family and your friends and travel and things like that and sometimes the relationships that mean the most to you get compromised because you don't put enough effort into them. It takes two people to get married and two people to get divorced and I'm a firm believer in that.

Credit: TV Guide (Kate Stanhope)