In the cast shakeup heard around the world–OK–in Housewife Land–the departures of OG Vicki Gunvalson and Tamra Judge from the Real Housewives of Orange County were recently announced. After Vicki’s demotion to Friend of last season, her exit was not a total shock. Tamra’s departure was a little more surprising. Housewife OG’s and long-time cast members are probably shaking in their Louboutins–if they are smart and their reality egos allow for reflections on their Housewife status.
Vicki went out relatively classy–thanking her fans for their support. Tamra took her leave when she was only offered three episodes to wrap up her storyline. Then she appeared to unfollow her former co-stars on Instagram. Who could blame her? Being shown the door has to sting. If all that wasn’t enough, both Vicki and Tamra have more fallout to deal with from their lives as former Housewives–besides tarnished reputations, that is.
A source told Radar Online, “Vicki and Tamra have a one-year non-compete clause in their contracts.” Neither one can be happy about this. Such clauses are standard in many industry contracts and both Vicki and Tamra were probably well aware of what they were signing. But did either of the ladies ever think the clause would apply to them?
Vicki and Tamra don’t strike me as people who like to be told what to do, so this contractual limitation has to sting a bit. The window for cashing in on opportunities goes by quickly for former reality stars and a year is a long time to wait. Squeezing an absent orange for fame juice has a very finite shelf life.
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The good news for the former co-stars is that there appears to be a little wiggle room in their contracts. According to the insider, “They will have to get special permission to film any other television shows for the next year.” Whew! That must be a relief for the former orange holding duo.
If Marriage Bootcamp Reality Stars comes-a-knocking like it did for Alexis Bellino last year, maybe the ladies won’t have to say no. Would anyone like to see Vicki and Tamra on Amazing Race? Maybe not, but wouldn’t it be fun to see Vicki screeching on a canyon bungee jump? Or screaming at a taxi cab driver who completely ignores her? I am sure all reasonable offers would be considered by both thirsty ladies, casting people. Terms to be negotiated.
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RHOC will certainly be a different show without “dos” of the Tres Amigas. For better or worse, Vicki and Tamra were the main driving forces on the show for years. And who will remaining (so far) Tres Amiga Shannon Beador complain about ex David Beador’s recent engagement to? I don’t think Emily Simpson will be very empathetic!
Although there is no official word on casting for Season 15 yet, it has been reported that Elizabeth Lyn Vargas, a friend of Kelly Dodd’s is joining the show. That news can’t make Vicki or Tamra very happy. Something tells me that neither one of them will have RHOC on their DVR next season.
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TELL US- WILL YOU MISS TAMRA AND VICKI? DO YOU THINK EITHER OF THEM WILL POP UP ON OTHER REALITY SHOWS IN THE FUTURE?
[Photo Credit: Casey Durkin/Bravo]
