Jenn Pedranti thinks there is more going on beneath Vicki Gunvalson’s tough exterior than she lets on. The Real Housewives of Orange County star spoke with Page Six’s Virtual Reali-Tea about Gunvalson’s relationship with boyfriend Michael Smith, and she believes Gunvalson is quietly disappointed that he still has not proposed.
Pedranti was surprised to hear that Smith had already bought an engagement ring for Gunvalson. He had supposedly told her he wouldn’t propose until she had been a “good girl” for 90 days straight. Gunvalson insists the comment was made as a joke, but according to Page Six, Pedranti does not think that makes it sting any less. “One thing I know about Vicki is she’s a girl, and she has feelings, and you love your man,” Pedranti said. “Any girl would be like, ‘He’s sitting on the ring, why do I not have it?’ It makes me sad for her.” Pedranti, who is engaged to Ryan Boyajian, added that she would find the situation genuinely frustrating if she were in Gunvalson’s position, and thinks it would push her to stop trying so hard in the relationship.
Gunvalson and Smith have been a couple since 2022. They split their time between homes in La Quinta, California, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Gunvalson left RHOC in 2020 but returned for its 20th season this year. She describes Smith as someone who fills her emotional tank and makes her feel accepted. Still, she admits she can be a handful.
That acceptance in her romantic relationship has not carried over to how she treats newer castmates. Pedranti joined the show in 2023. She noticed that Gunvalson was skeptical of her right away. This was surprising since Pedranti had already been on the show for several seasons before Gunvalson returned. Pedranti noted the irony that cast members must share their lives. In contrast, Gunvalson often shuts down certain topics. This frustrates her when those subjects arise. Pedranti notes that Gunvalson has a caring side. This makes her feelings about their friendship complicated. Gunvalson can be rude one moment, yet still be someone people love the next.
A Relationship Vicki Won’t Fully Talk About
What makes this interesting is the contrast Pedranti is drawing. Gunvalson values her privacy with Smith. After years of public relationships on the show, this makes sense. Protecting something good from the cameras is a smart move. But Pedranti’s read is that the privacy might also be covering for some real insecurity about where the relationship stands. Both can be true. Many people who waited over a year for a ring in a safe likely understand part of what Pedranti is saying.
Steve is the founder and editor of TVShowsRoom, covering the Real Housewives franchise, Below Deck, Vanderpump Rules, and Summer House. He oversees editorial direction and specializes in breaking news and season-to-season storyline analysis. Steve has covered the reality TV and Bravo landscape for six years and keeps a close eye on how each franchise evolves.
