Vice’s Dark Side of Reality TV turns its lens on Bravo’s Real Housewives franchise, giving a platform to former stars to share their experiences. While the episode doesn’t unearth entirely new ground, it does provide a candid look behind the curtain, courtesy of Vicki Gunvalson and Jeana Keough (RHOC), Cynthia Bailey (RHOA), and Aviva Drescher (RHONY).
Vicki Gunvalson recounts a particularly upsetting incident involving the death of her mother. During filming, Gunvalson’s daughter desperately tried to reach her with the news, but producers delayed the information. “I will never forgive Bravo for that,” Gunvalson states, expressing her anger at production’s decision to prioritize filming over her personal grief. On a lighter note, she also reflects on her infamous “family van” rant, surprised by its iconic status within the Bravo universe.
Cynthia Bailey reflects on two particularly challenging moments from her eleven seasons on RHOA. She describes being pressured by producers to confront Phaedra Parks with a cheating allegation, despite her personal discomfort. “I’m literally praying for a power outage,” Bailey recalls . Bailey also expresses regret over her physical altercation with Porsha Williams, attributing her behavior to stress and alcohol consumption, “I just kinda snapped,” Bailey admits.
Aviva Drescher joined RHONY hoping to raise awareness for philanthropic causes related to limb loss. However, she soon found herself entangled in the show’s drama. Drescher claims producers pressured her into scenarios that compromised her values, including an incident where she felt forced to drink alcohol despite being on antibiotics (allegations denied by Bravo and Cohen). She eventually exited the show, her iconic leg toss symbolizing her final break from the “nonsense.”
These accounts paint a picture of a franchise where producer manipulation and manufactured drama often overshadow genuine human experiences. The former Housewives’ stories gave us a look into the pressures and compromises that can accompany reality TV stardom.
The Dark Side of Reality TV airs Tuesday nights on Vice.
