Feud in the OC

Despite her recent demotion within The Real Housewives of OC franchise, Vicki Gunvalson continues to outshine her cohorts as the original Bravo Housewife.  Never one to back down from a fight, Gunvalson filed a lawsuit against former castmate, Kelly Dodd, accusing her of speaking defamatory allegations that could potentially harm her business.  Throughout the pair’s prolonged feud, Dodd supposedly called Gunvalson a fraud and a con who “prey[s] on older people.”  Gunvalson insists Dodd’s statements are untrue and malicious.

Dodd’s attack on Gunvalson should not come to the surprise of viewers, as the old pals have tangled with one another in the past. In a prior season’s reunion show, Gunvalson repeated her belief that Dodd used cocaine regularly.  Following that reunion, Gunvalson continued to fuel the rift by perpetuating reports of Dodd’s sexual promiscuity.  Dodd denied both accusations, as well as Gunvalson’s unmerited proclamation that Dodd was banned from going to her 13-year-old daughter’s school.  Dodd insisted that all claims by Gunvalson were just gossip, with no factual basis.  Apparently tired of the rumors, Dodd retaliated with comments about Gunvalson’s alleged con woman ways.

These insults allude to Gunvalson’s position as owner of Coto Insurance & Financial Services, Inc., based out of Coto de Caza, California.  Gunvalson chose to not only name Dodd in the lawsuit, but also sued Bravo and Evolution Media because she feared the offenses would not be taken out of the aired episode. By filing the lawsuit, Gunvalson was protecting not only her own reputation, but the credibility of her company and staff.  Gunvalson has since spoken to producers, and although the contents of the conversation are unknown, it is clear that the parties left their meeting cordially.  Gunvalson has decided to drop the lawsuit against all parties.  She has also repaired her friendship with Dodd.  Both women have agreed to stop fighting with each other; but in true Housewives fashion, we are never quite sure how long that promise will last.