Filming for “Real Housewives of Orange County” season 20 is underway with Vicki Gunvalson set to return. Now, amid RHOC production, she is opening up about the toll it’s taking, saying it’s more of a commitment than she remembers. This comes after Tamra Judge also gave an update.
Gunvalson took to her “My Friend, My Soulmate, My Podcast” podcast in April 2026 to give an update on RHOC filming, saying she’s tired. According to her, “I don’t remember it being as extreme as it is now. It’s two or three scenes a day.”
Vicki Gunvalson Says Something Has Changed Amid RHOC Filming
GettyGunvalson continued her line of conversation by going into the specifics of what has changed since leaving RHOC. She said, “Then you’re doing different things and meeting different people and trying to catch up with what somebody was talking about. It’s just a lot.”
Her cohost then noted that she “did both” for years, meaning RHOC and her insurance business, noting that the demand from production must have become greater in recent years. Gunvalson then said, “Either my business got busier, or I got older. I don’t know if I can sustain like I used to.”
She then called filming RHOC “very demanding,” before revealing she “bailed out” on filming the night before because she’d needed a break.
The RHOC star added, “When I’m filming, I’m looking at my clock, like when I can go home.”
As fans know, it was announced at BravoCon 2025 that Gunvalson would be returning to “The Real Housewives of Orange County” as a full-time cast member.
Tamra Judge Previously Teased ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County’ Season 20
GettyAmong the cast for RHOC season 20 is Tamra Judge. Recently, she spoke with US Weekly, giving an update on filming and highlighting Gunvalson. She told the outlet, “Season 20 is pretty exciting. Especially coming off season 19 [which] was not great for me. I was in a really bad place. I feel like I’m in a much better place.”
Judge went on, “I can’t say too much about what’s going on because I’ll get my [backside] handed to me. I think it’s going to be an amazing season. I think it’s going to be different. I think it feels different. … I’m so much happier.”
Regarding Gunvalson, she stated, “I love having Vicki back, for sure. It feels like home when she is on the show. It just kind of gives it that early feeling that we had way back in the early days.”
In addition to Gunvalson and Judge, RHOC season 20 is expected to feature Shannon Beador, Heather Dubrow, Emily Simpson, Gina Kirschenheiter, and Jennifer Pedranti. Carmella Garcia is also rumored to join.
