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Credit: Bravo
Gina Kirschenheiter shared her thoughts on praise she received from Vicki Gunvalson during the latest episode of Watch What Happens Live. As the conversation unfolded, she also discussed Vicki’s ongoing tensions with newcomers to the franchise. Among the topics was Carmella Garcia, 44, and Gina also shared her perspective on whether Emily Simpson, 50, might have been too critical of Heather Dubrow, 57. Additionally, Gina revealed who she feels most connected to among her Real Housewives of Orange County colleagues, and provided an update on her relationship with Travis Mullen, 40, following their New Year engagement.
“[Vicki] genuinely appreciates me. She’s had nothing but nice things to say, and I believe it’s because I have a strong work ethic,” Gina disclosed in the August 6 broadcast of WWHL. “I have a lot of respect for her. Her accomplishments both in and out of the Housewives universe are impressive. Her insurance company, for instance, is very much legitimate. [And] I hold her opinions in high regard.”
“[Vicki] actually really likes me. She’s been saying such kind things about me. She likes me cuz I work,” Gina shared on the August 6 episode of WWHL. “I very much respect her. I think what she’s built is extraordinary and incredible, in the housewife world, but also outside of the housewife world. Like her insurance company is real. [And] I value her opinion.”
After watching as Vicki admitted she was proud of her and sees herself in her, Gina said that while she hadn’t told her that in person, she was “extremely flattered.”
“I love it, honestly, I love the way our relationship has evolved and the way that she sees me now,” she explained.
Gina also said that because she and Vicki had made such progress, she had hope for a future reconciliation between Vicki and Carmella.
Following a bit of a hazing from Vicki, which came amid questions about Carmella’s career in real estate, and whether she was an actual developer, Gina said that it was either herself or Carmella who Vicki was harder on.
“Now I feel like it’s Carmella, but she did tell me I have no moral compass when I joined the show. It was rough,” Gina admitted.
Moving on to Emily, Gina said she didn’t care that Emily told Carmella that she had questioned her motives following the pricey Dior birthday gift she gave to Emily.
“It wasn’t that serious. It was something trivial. Do I love that she shared it? No. But whatever … because I did, I said all those things to multiple people, multiple times. So it was what it was,” she reasoned.
As for whether Emily was too harsh with Heather amid questions surrounding their friendship, Gina confirmed the two of them have “love for each other” before agreeing that Emily could’ve been softer.
“I’m a sucker for Heather when she gets upset,” Gina noted.
Then, after being asked if she was closer to Heather or Emily, Gina revealed, “I don’t think Heather would be surprised by this: Emily is literally like a sister to me. She’s a ride or die. We are just close in a way that’s different, honestly, than any of the other friendships on the show.”
“We’re really, truly best friends. She’s so important to me and we can bicker on the show or whatever, but we’re sisters,” Gina continued, adding, “But I love Heather and I respect Heather … She is a ride or die too. I love Fancy Pants. I really do.”
Also on the live broadcast, Gina confirmed that Travis had upgraded her ring from the prototype he previously gave her, and she added that she also got a bonus ring.
“When he first was designing this, he designed two rings, and I loved them both but I really didn’t want to change anything. So he also got me the other ring,” she revealed.
As for how Travis could afford to purchase both rings, she explained, “He has a full time job and I’ll tell you what, we’re crushing it in real estate, so houses bought these rings.”
Later, on the WWHL: After Show, Gina admitted that she and Travis do not yet have a wedding date — and won’t for a while.
“I’m not planning a wedding. Honestly, I’m taking my time,” she explained. “I want to get my kids through school, and then I feel like I can really focus on that. I do have other goals, like financially. I feel like I’m building a business, I’m making investments, I’m saving for college. That’s my focus right now, and then once I’m through that I’m gonna throw a rager.”
After agreeing that it could be 10 years before she and Travis say, “I do,” Gina confessed that she wasn’t sure how Travis felt about waiting so long.
“We’ll have to ask him because I tend to just go with my own ideas … I made all these decisions, and I clearly did not include him on any of them.”
She then dished on Travis’ friendship with her ex-husband, Matthew Kirschenheiter, 41, saying they get along “really well.”
“They’ll have bro days. They went and had a bottle of wine together that Matt had brought back for him from Italy, and they went, and they had it together and like, smoked cigars and like, bro-ed out. It’s like, weird but it works for us.”
The Real Housewives of Orange County season 20 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on Bravo.