Vicki Gunvalson and Carmella Garcia’s Aries vs. Cancer Energy Could Explain Their Simmering Tension on ‘RHOC’

It’s an OG Housewife versus an ambitious newcomer on The Real Housewives of Orange County. 

For its landmark 20th season, Bravo has invited original cast member Vicki Gunvalson back into the fold. But the network also injected some fresh blood into the show in form of Carmella Garcia, a former Playboy Playmate and professional wrestler turned real estate pro. 

Vicki Gunvalson and Carmella Garcia clash on ‘RHOC’

Vicki – who left RHOC after season 13 – has made it clear she’s back to claim her crown as the group’s queen bee. In the season premiere, she and fellow Housewife Emily Simpson joked about Vicki’s old nickname: Queen Victoria. 

“When you meet Victoria, you have to bow,” Emily jokingly told Carmella. “You have to kiss her ring.” 

Carmella was not amused. 

“I’m not trying to bow to anybody,” she told a producer in a confessional. “I’m definitely not kissing anybody’s ring. It’s not happening.”

A teaser for season 20 hints at more conflict between the two women. Vicki dubs the newest Housewife “Carmella DeVille,” then declares that she doesn’t like “new girls.” At a group dinner, Vicki declares that she “started this franchise.”

“Everything has an expiration,” Carmella replies.

Vicki and Carmella represent an Aries vs. Cancer conflict 

Vicki’s attitude toward Carmella isn’t surprising. She has a history of targeting new cast members. But some of their tension might be attributable to their respective star signs. Vicki (born March 27) is an Aries, while Carmella (born July 1) is a Cancer. 

Aries is a Fire sign, while Cancer is a Water sign. That opposition sets the stage for conflict. The typical Aries is passionate, impulsive, and high energy. At times, they can be quite forceful – there’s a reason they’re represented by the Ram. Cancers, on the other hand, are driven by emotion and intuition. If they feel threatened they might retreat into their shell – or use their claws to defend themselves. 

Despite their differing personalities, both Aries and Cancers like to lead. With her direct, and at times abrasive, style, Vicki is a classic Aries. She believes she should be in charge, and she’s not afraid to say so. So far, Carmella appears to have typical Cancer qualities, which means we’ll probably see her exert her influence in more subtle ways as she finds her footing among the other women. 

Meanwhile, Vicki’s notorious bluntness will likely clash with Carmella’s more emotionally attuned personality. Carmella might not lash out in the moment. But she could hold a grudge if she feels Vicki has wronged her. 

Of course, none of that is to say that an Aries and a Cancer can’t be friends. But they may have to work to understand and respect each other’s different ways of seeing and reacting to the world. Based on what we’ve seen so far of their interactions, it doesn’t seem like either woman is eager to do that.    

Vicki was ‘annoyed’ by Carmella 

How Vicki and Carmella’s relationship plays out over the rest of the season remains to be seen. But Carmella has hinted that they never really warmed to each other. 

“Not so much. Not so much,” she told the Orange County Register at the season 20 premiere party. “It was a little bit of a roller coaster. We’ve had a lot of ups and downs.

“I’m currently on blocked [on social media by Gunvalson], but I’m very hopeful that it will turn around before the reunion,” she added. 

For her part, Vicki has said she found Carmella fake. 

“I like authenticity. I like real people coming on,” she said in a recent appearance on the Reality Nightcap podcast. “There’s a little bit of inconsistency with [Carmella]. Does she live in Orange County? Does she live in San Diego? Ironically, when we stopped filming, she’s back in San Diego. So does she really live in Orange County?”

“I can kind of see through the BS, but I’m going to leave it up to the viewers,” Vicki added. “I might be totally wrong, but I have a really good gut on people. … I didn’t really spend a lot of time getting to know her because she kind of annoyed me.”

The Real Housewives of Orange County airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo. Episodes stream the next day on Peacock. 

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