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In a poignant revelation that highlights the emotional strain of reality TV, former Real Housewives of Orange County star Vicki Gunvalson opens up about the heartbreaking day she learned her mother had passed—while cameras were rolling. Gunvalson, now part of Vice’s documentary series The Dark Side of Reality TV, revisits the deeply painful 2015 moment captured on the show, where she discovered the passing of her mother, Joanne Steinmetz. The reality star now criticizes Bravo's choice to film and broadcast such a private and devastating event.
Gina Hughes, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Reflecting on the events leading up to the shocking news, Gunvalson, 62, recalls filming a casual game of Bunko at Shannon Beador's house. Her phone had been on silent, leaving her unaware of her family’s urgent attempts to reach her. Desperate to break the news, her daughter Briana pushed production to intervene. "Briana kept calling and calling," Gunvalson shares, explaining that the crew initially dismissed Briana’s calls, telling her, “She’s filming right now.” It wasn’t until Briana insisted, saying, “I need to talk to my mom right now,” that production finally acted.
But rather than giving her the news in private, production directed Gunvalson into a set-up room, fully equipped with lights and cameras, to capture her reaction. Looking back, Gunvalson feels a deep sense of betrayal. "They knew for an hour before they told me,” she recalls. “If I were a producer, I would have taken me aside and given me time to process it alone, without a camera in my face. It was devastating. I’ll never forgive Bravo for that.”
For fans of RHOC, the raw moment aired in Season 10 and remains unforgettable: Gunvalson’s grief was evident as she collapsed to the floor, unable to process the reality of her mother's death. "Oh, my God. I don’t want to believe this," she cried, deeply pained as she realized her mom was gone. In a tearful plea, she said, “I need her every day. I need her so bad. Who’s going to worry about me now?”
Though Gunvalson initially defended Bravo’s decision to air the footage during a 2015 appearance on Watch What Happens Live, her views have since changed. Now, she feels her trust was misplaced, labeling the experience as “very traumatic” and expressing regret that her personal grief became a public spectacle for millions to witness.
The Dark Side of Reality TV delves into the emotional challenges and hidden costs of reality television, offering a closer look at the real-life impact of living on camera. Through Gunvalson’s story, the documentary reveals that sometimes, the greatest drama takes place behind the scenes, in moments that are far too personal for public consumption.