Real Housewives of Orange County OG Vicki Gunvalson and RHOA alum Claudia Jordan have both spoken out about donating to Brandi Glanville‘s fundraising efforts.
The two reality TV legends joined other Real Housewives stars in supporting Brandi’s GoFundMe, which aims to help her through various treatments, surgeries and continued recovery after three years of enduring a mysterious facial disfigurement.
In an exclusive statement to Us, Vicki, 64, likened her GoFundMe donation to her financial support of former RHOC costar Jeana Keough amid her tongue cancer diagnosis.
“As I donated to Jeana Keough, I did for Brandi,” Vicki told Us. “It breaks my heart that both of them who have been used to working to provide for themselves, are not able to at this time. I wish Brandi continued healing.”
Claudia — who was a standout on The Real Housewives of Atlanta season 7 — shared with Us that she frequently tries to support people going through hard times.
“I actually donate to a lot of GoFundMes all the time. People I know and people I don’t know,” Claudia, 53, confirmed to Us through her representative Chris Giovanni. “Sometimes I make it anonymously, sometimes I let my name appear. I feel so bad for her and I can’t imagine how helpless she may be feeling. Times are tough for a lot of people and I am sure it was difficult for her to put herself out there like this — knowing she would get a lot of criticism but I admire her bravery and hope she can get all the help she needs!”
Brandi, 53, has spent several years trying to get a firm diagnosis on her facial condition, which she said developed after she filmed Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip in Morocco in 2023. (That season of Ultimate Girls Trip has never aired because of ongoing litigation between cast member Caroline Manzo and Bravo over an alleged incident involving Brandi.)
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum recently revealed that she was diagnosed with “highly resistant ESBL Klebsiella and Enterobacter with biofilm, Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever), Demodex dermatitis and Mononucleosis” after spending more than $113,000 on treatment options.
Fellow Bravo stars and fans were quick to lend a helping hand when Brandi’s friend Gina Rodriguez launched a GoFundMe this week. As of publication, the fundraising appeal has raised more than $12,000 of a $28,000 goal — with RHOBH stars Kyle Richards and Camille Grammer among the top-dollar contributors, per the site’s registry of donations.
Camille, 58, previously told TMZ that it was important for her to reach out to Brandi even though they haven’t been close in recent years.
“I remember when she sent me flowers when I had my hysterectomy for uterine cancer. I thought that was very sweet of her. I wanted to return the favor, and I feel bad for what she’s going through,” Camille told the outlet.
Meanwhile, Brandi admitted that she had mixed feelings about asking for financial support during the Friday, September 11, episode of her “Unfiltered” podcast.
“I’m on all of this crazy medication, [and] even with my insurance, it’s $7,000 a week. Then, I have creditors calling me all day,” she told cohost James Maas. “My friend, Gina, started a GoFundMe for me. I’m embarrassed, honestly, ‘cause I don’t like to ask for help.”
When James assured her there was no reason to be embarrassed, a tearful Brandi explained, “I feel like a loser. I feel like I definitely hit rock bottom, and I’m embarrassed. I just never thought I would do this. … Gina did it for me. I know, like, she’s looking out for me.”
Brandi rose to fame on RHOBH, first as a “friend of the Housewives” in season 2 and later a main cast member for seasons three through five. She has since appeared on The Celebrity Apprentice as well as both the U.S. and U.K. versions of Celebrity Big Brother.
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