Welcome back to the latest recap of The Real Housewives of Orange County. Last time, Vicki shared her insecurities with Tamra. Meanwhile, Carmella faced some hard truths about her relationship with her boyfriend, Danny Hampel. Here’s what happened in RHOC Season 20 Episode 12: “Lei It on Me.”
What happened in Real Housewives of Orange County Season 20 Episode 12?
Vicki remarked that Danny was basically “raising” Carmella’s children. Naturally, Carmella confronted Vicki at Shannon’s luau. And Tamra reunited with her son, Ryan Vieth, at his daughter’s birthday party.
Carmella’s kids have thoughts about Vicki
Carmella was hanging out with her kids. Her son Jax got his permit, and Carmella heard the news was in the group chat. Unfortunately, she wasn’t a member. Apparently, the kids and their dad have their own private text chain.
Then, the kids and Carmella discussed Vicki. One daughter dissed Vicki’s incessant comments about ketchup on hot dogs and mimicked the face that Vicki made.
“I thought we got through the whole Vegas thing, and she apologized. But when she came to the party here, she said that it doesn’t look like we lived here. There were no TVs on the wall. There’s no food in the pantry,” Carmella explained.
“It’s inappropriate,” Carmella’s daughter Presley remarked. “It’s low-rent,” Carmella responded.
In her confessional, Carmella said, “It’s not just about food in the pantry. She’s saying that I’m a liar, and that’s what’s bothering me. You talk about me in every single room I’m not in. You know my name, b*tch,” she added.
Gina won’t keep this secret from Carmella
Gina visited Shannon as she prepped for her luau. “I do feel a little guilty, because I know that this luau was supposed to be for mine and Travis’ engagement,” Gina said in her talking head.
Then, Shannon asked if Gina and Travis were talking about wedding planning. “It’s just so hard to justify the expense of the wedding,” Gina replied. “We’re just going to sit with a wedding planner and do that as step one.”
Naturally, the La Quinta trip came up. “It just was a flipping mess,” Shannon admitted. When Shannon tried to defend Vicki, Gina responded, “She’s rude.”
And Vicki can’t stop talking about Carmella. Cue the flashback of Vicki telling Heather and Shannon, “It works for them because Danny’s there raising the kids, like, basically.” WHOA!
When Shannon shared what Vicki said about Danny raising Carmella’s kids, Gina was floored. “She said again that Carmella is a sh*t parent,” Gina said. And when Gina tried to convince Shannon to confront Vicki, Shannon opined that Vicki was “fragile.”
However, Gina refused to keep the secret. “I’m telling Carmella that,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Tamra, her daughter Sophia, and Sandy, Tamra’s mom, were making a cake for Ava’s birthday. “Ava is my granddaughter. She’s sassy, and she might even flip you off,” Tamra said in her confessional.
“So, is Ryan coming? You haven’t talked to him in a while,” Sophia said.
“He came over for Easter, and that was the first time I’d [saw] him in a year,” Tamra said. In her confessional, Tamra explained, “Ryan and I got into an argument about things that he was liking and posting on his social media. And I kept explaining to him it’s hate rhetoric and you don’t need to post that.”
She added, “Now he’s in a much better place in his life, and I couldn’t be happier.” All four generations of Tamra’s family enjoyed the party, and Tamra gave her granddaughter a Gucci purse.
Shannon’s luau was drama central
To get a lei, guests had to limbo. “Does she know how old everyone is?” Emily asked in her confessional. “You limbo, then you get Ben-Gay on the other side.”
Still, Gina wondered how much the party cost. “I don’t know how much Shannon paid for this party, but it looks expensive. I’m definitely thinking it’s probably enough to pay off her back taxes,” Gina said in her talking head.
Plus, Shannon gave Emily a heads-up that Vicki was expecting an apology after the La Quinta drama. Emily replied that she would not be issuing one. Of course, Vicki greeted Emily and acted like nothing was wrong.
At the luau, Carmella admitted that she was “still pissed” at Vicki. And that was before Gina shared Vicki’s latest swipe at Carmella. “I hope she has some reputable life insurance ’cause I’m about to drop kick an OG,” Carmella said in her confessional.
“Alright, I’m making a scene at your party, Shannon. I’m really sorry in advance,” Carmella said. Hey, at least she apologized!
Elsewhere at the party, Emily spoke with Fancy Pants. “I admire you and want you as a friend so much,” Emily said. However, Heather had doubts. “Gina told me that just being around me a lot irritates you,” Heather said.
Emily admitted that there “were isolated incidents” where she was annoyed. She added that she felt Heather “inspires me so much as a mother.” Then, Emily apologized. Now the duo was in a better place.
Carmella slams Vicki during dinner
Everyone sat down for dinner. Carmella told Danny about Vicki’s latest comment. Tamra suggested that Carmella ask Vicki if that is what she actually said. So, Carmella clinked her glass to make a toast.
“I know what she’s going to ask,” Tamra announced. “You wanted to know why Vicki said that your boyfriend raised …”
While Vicki claimed, “That’s actually not the truth,” Heather asked Shannon what Vicki said. “I’m going to be honest with you. Yes,” Shannon said.
“You guys take things and just twist it,” Vicki said. “They’re both raising the kids.” Heather told Vicki, “You did say it. You said, ‘He’s raising the kids.’”
Since she was backed into a corner, Vicki told Carmella that she didn’t mean to hurt Carmella’s feelings. “But it is the most hurtful thing you could say about or to someone,” Carmella replied. So, Emily urged Vicki to apologize.
“She apologized last time when you called me a sh*t mom in Vegas. And then immediately leaves my home, and you said that I don’t live there,” Carmella said. “There are no TVS on the walls. There’s no food in the pantry. It’s all trying to poke holes in my story and discredit me.”
In her confessional, Vicki remarked, “Everybody else has seen the red flags with Carmella. I’m not trying to discredit her. She’s doing it all on her little self.”
Jenn pointed out that Vicki doesn’t adore new people. “But you’re new, too, this year,” Carmella stated. “Girl, I’m not new this year. It’s 21 years ago I started this franchise,” Vicki fired back.
“Everything has an expiration,” Carmella replied. “Who the f*ck are you?” Vicki said, seemingly in shock.
Why is everyone apologizing to Vicki?
Then, Tamra asked Shannon what really happened in La Quinta. “I’m not apologizing because I was not rude,” Emily insisted.
“You guys made it uncomfortable for me, too,” Vicki responded. She explained that she “was overwhelmed ” and “wanted to pause.” Emily replied that she and Jenn never wanted to “hurt” Vicki’s feelings.
Vicki shared that her boyfriend, Michael Smith, left early the next morning, which also hurt her feelings. “One of my deepest fears is abandonment,” Vicki said in her confessional.
“When my mom left me, I wasn’t prepared. I don’t think I’ll ever feel secure in any relationship for the rest of my life,” she added.
The night ended on a good note with couples shimmying coconuts from their knees up to their necks. Tamra and Eddie won! Meanwhile, Carmella was confused about how Vicki made herself into the victim and won the sympathy of the group.
The Real Housewives of Orange County airs on Thursdays at 8/7c on Bravo. It streams on Peacock the next day.