Maybe a year and a half ago, Shannon Beador was blaming Vicki Gunvalson’s rumor-mongering for her weight gain. Now, things are very different.
On the most recent episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County, Shannon Beador flipped out.
Vicki is riding to Shannon’s defense, saying that the situation was unfair — and was Gina and Emily’s fault.
Vicki Gunvalson took to her Bravo blog to defend Shannon.
First and foremost, Vicki set the stage for Shannon snapping the way that she did.
“We were all miserable in Jamaica, as it was way too hot,” Vicki shares.
She writes: “And the hotel rooms did not have air conditioning due to an air compressor being broken.”
(I wouldn’t wish for even my worst enemy to be in Virginia without air conditioning. Jamaica? I’d have quit the show and flown back right away)
“They were able to eventually accommodate us on the last few days and moved us to a new villa where it was nice and cool,” Vicki says.
“I think all of our nerves were shot,” Vicki explains. “And things heated up and got out of control.”
Now that she’s explained everyone’s frayed nerves and Shannon’s ponytail, she starts in on the actual conflict.
“I think we should have calmly discussed our concerns or issues with Shannon, without going on the attack mode,” Vicki writes.
“I’ve been on the receiving end of this type of argument when people go after you,” she says. “And it’s not fun by any means.”
Vicki wants to make it very clear that she was not a deliberate participant in this, and that her concern about Shannon appearing to be drinking alone was genuine.
“I told Shannon just today that she is in a much better place than she was six months ago when this was filmed,” Vicki adds.
“And,” she continues. “I’m proud of her strength and accomplishments.”
“It was taken out of context when I said Shannon has ‘rich girl problems’ when she was talking about having to move again,” Vicki writes.
“She was not discussing the amount of support she receives,” Vicki clarifies. “Or that she was ungrateful for it.”
Vicki says: “she was just saying she just got settled in her home and now she had to look for a new place.”
You know what? That’s valid.
Also, has anyone noticed how much Vicki is trying to hold herself accountable for her words these days? Good for her.
Hey, so, remember that part of this week’s episode when Tamra responded to Shannon by screaming at her? Vicki remembers.
“I don’t know all the history of why Tamra got so upset with Shannon,” Vicki says. “Other than what I have heard from Tamra.”
“She was truly concerned for Shannon,” Vicki continues. “And felt Shannon wasn’t there for Tamra during that time.”
Vicki continues: “I just think the delivery could have been a little ‘softer."”
“Like Shannon said, she thought it was resolved at their lunch date at Roger’s Garden,” Vicki notes. “So clearly there was more that transpired after that, which I wasn’t aware of.”
As we discussed, Tamra no longer feels sorry for Shannon, which is quite a thing to say about your BFF.
Vicki sounds fed up: “I don’t know why Gina and Emily are so obsessed with ‘being friends with Shannon."”
“It’s clear that they don’t have an authentic interest in her life or what she is going through,” Vicki assesses.
“Nor do I think it’s fair to continue to talk about it,” Vicki says. “Friendships happen naturally and are never good if they are forced.”
(Spoken like a woman who’s never used overt friendliness as a weapon to get her way, we take it)
Real talk, though, Gina and Emily probably want to forge these friendships to cement their place on the show.
“It’s like they are obsessed with talking about it,” Vicki continues.
In Vicki’s eyes, “Just because they are hanging out with Shannon doesn’t mean they have to be BFF’s.”
“My feeling,” Vicki writes. “Is to let it flow naturally.”
It can be difficult to very naturally form friendships while on camera, however.
“Shannon and I don’t see much of Gina and Emily,” Vicki shades. “So I don’t know why they are so focused on it.”
In Vicki’s eyes: “For some of the girls to continue to prod Tamra on her friendship with Shannon when they knew it was issue is just plain mean.”
“It is disingenuous of Gina to purposely try to drive a wedge between Tamra and Shannon and then claim to be some victim,” Vicki accuses.
Vicki has a theory: “It’s like she thinks she is going to win Tamra over if she is friends with her and not Shannon?”
“Are we in grade school?” Vicki asks. “Is this a game?”
“Gina does not have the history Tamra and Shannon do,” Vicki says. “And my advice is to leave them be and let them sort this out on their own.”
“They sure don’t need Gina’s advice on this,” in Vicki’s opinion.
“Shannon’s situation is completely different than anyone else’s,” Vicki affirms. “Her divorce is nasty and very difficult to handle.”
“Kelly stirred the pot by telling Shannon that Tamra thinks Shannon isn’t a good friend,” she accuses. “That’s not being a friend at all.”
“She threw that out there and then walked away smirking, which is extremely mean,” Vicki writes. “It is NOT ok talking ‘crap’ on your friend behind her back.”
“And,” Vicki continues. “When Kelly said ‘David must have been a saint’ is wrong and NOT ok.”
“She owes Shannon an apology,” Vicki concludes. “As they are very good friends still.”
Who’d have thought this time last year that Vicki would come riding to Shannon’s defense?
