Michael Rosenthal/Bravo/NBCU Photo BankWith tonight's season 11 premiere of The Real Housewives of Orange County, Vicki Gunvalson stakes her claim as the longest-running documentary-style reality TV star on TV. (No, really, think long and hard about anyone else who's let the cameras into their home for 10 solid years.)
She's watched cast mates come and go, withstood the fickle, changing winds of reality TV friendships, and weathered one hell of a scandal thanks to ex-boyfriend Brooks Ayers. It would be enough to send lesser reality stars heading for the hills. But not our Vicki. Through it all, she's maintained her unflappable spirit and those blonde locks of hers. She may have showed up in tonight's episode touting a new hair 'do, but she's never strayed too far from her signature style. In honor of her landmark tenure, we present to you: The Evolution of Vicki Gunvalson.
Season One
A fresh-faced insurance agent living behind the gates of Coto de Caza with second husband Donn and children Briana and Michael, season one Vicki is already a woman who loved to whoop it up. Case in point: Her antics on that cruise ship in only episode two.
Season Two
Season two Vicki let her hair grow a little longer and a little wavier. She also nearly drove mad all those she holds dear while planning a European cruise.
Season Three
We're not sure what this feathered look was and we suspect Vicki doesn't either. This was the season that, for better or worse, brought Tamra Barney into Vicki's life, and was also the one that did the most damage to her relationship with fellow OG Jeana Keough.
Season Four
Remember all that talk about love tanks? Here's where that started. Here's also where the L.I.F.E. with Vicki cruise had its maiden voyage. Whatever that was.
Season Five
Vicki's love tank was seriously running dry by this point, but you'd never know it from her undaunted commitment to her business—you know, the thing coming between her and Donn. But it's Tamra and Simon who called it quits by the end of season five, leaving Vicki and Donn to run on fumes while Vicki clung on to that same 'do.
Season Six
Another year of increasingly strained relations with Donn, another year of a remarkably steady hairstyle.
Season Seven
New year, new man, new outlook on life. This is the season that officially brought Brooks into our lives. Check out that look in her eyes. That's the face of a woman with a full love tank. Of course, by season's end, that was also the face that would be screaming "You're supposed to be sister, my soulmate, my friend" at Tamra after everyone started sniffing the stink that Brooks was bringing into their lives and just couldn't hold back on how they felt about him.
Season Eight
It's no secret that Vicki made some major changes to her face between seasons seven and eight. Another big change? She became a grandma. What didn't change? Her fractured relationships with Tamra and daughter Briana, as well as her steadfast commitment to Brooks.
And who can forget this season's trip to Whistler, where Vicki screamed in former friend Lauri Peterson's face, "I have never been with multiple partners in my life!" While on a busy ski slope.
Season Nine
Holy hair extensions. Gretchen Rossi may have been fired the season before, but her hair sure did stick around on Vicki's head. Brooks was still driving a wedge between Vicki and Briana, leading to Briana taking Vicki's grandson out of California to keep him away from the man she didn't trust, ultimately settling in Oklahoma.
Season 10
Chop, chop—extensions be gone! All hell broke loose for Vicki this season as Brooks' claims about cancer seemed to be questioned at every turn by her friends, her family, and, ultimately, the media. She would go through the season burning nearly every bridge available to her, finding herself alone on an island with no one willing to come to her defense by the time the reunion swung around. It was a dark time.
Season 11
We've made it to present day. Vicki may have said she got a haircut, but we're kindly calling her bluff here. If you can find the difference between this season and last, please, leave them in the comments below. Of course, the biggest difference in Vicki's life in the season premiere? She's finally Brooks-free and beginning her apology tour, starting with Heather Dubrow at the champagne fanatic's fancy yacht party. But will anyone buy what she's selling? And is Brooks really gone for good? Time will tell.
The Real Housewives of Orange County airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on Bravo.
(E! and Bravo are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)