Vicki Gunvalson 'Absolutely Crushed' By 'RHOC' Demotion

Source: Bravo

Feb. 12 2019, Updated 1:16 p.m. ET

Vicki Gunvalson is "absolutely crushed" after the netowrk suddenly pulled the plug on her RHOC OG role, RadarOnline.com can reveal exclusively.

The boot came as a shock to Gunvalson, 56. "Word started spreading around that she was getting the axe a couple of weeks ago, but no one really believed it until they started filming without her."

Although the insider revealed to RadarOnline.com exclusively she's "in negotiations right now," Gunvalson most likely will not settle for a friend role.

Article continues below advertisement

As RadarOnline.com reported exclusively, the O.G. from the O.C. was out out after 13 long years on the hit reality show and demoted from a full-time cast member to a “friend."

"She's been demoted, but she hasn't agreed to take the offer," a production source snitched to RadarOnline.com. The 56-year-old grandmother of two was the original Real Housewives star, making her debut on March 21, 2006.

The source said Gunvalson is up against a ticking clock: "Typically, the ladies are given a really short time, like five days, to either accept the offer from the network, or leave the show. There aren't a lot of negotiations."

"Vicki's attorneys are talking to her," the source told RadarOnline.com.

"RHOC has been her whole life for like 15 years and she is the O.G. for a reason," the insider continued. "Now Tamra is going to be the longest standing housewife."

The axe was due to the fact that Gunvalson doesn’t have a storyline. "When you added that on top of the cocaine drama with Kelly Dodd, it was just her time to go.”

Gunvalson's drug accusations against Dodd was critical in the network's demotion decision. "The cocaine allegations played a part, but there was no organic story with the remaining cast," the source said. "No one wanted to shoot with her.