If you watched the early years of The Real Housewives of Orange County, you basically watched Briana Culberson (formerly Wolfsmith) grow up. She was the voice of reason. While her mother, Vicki Gunvalson, was "whooping it up" and getting embroiled in some of the most bizarre relationship drama in reality TV history—looking at you, Brooks Ayers—Briana was the one rolling her eyes from the kitchen island.
But then, she just... vanished.
One minute she’s a staple of the show, and the next, she’s living a completely different life thousands of miles away from Coto de Caza. Honestly, her exit left a huge hole in the show’s dynamic. People still search for "Brianna Real Housewives OC" because she was the only person who could tell Vicki the truth without the world ending.
The Great Escape from Orange County
So, where is she now? As of 2026, Briana is living a life that is about as far from the "Orange County" lifestyle as you can get. After years of bouncing between North Carolina, Illinois, and Oklahoma, the Culberson clan has most recently settled in Texas. Specifically, they moved to the Celina area to give their kids that "Friday Night Lights" football experience.
It’s a bit of a whirlwind. Ryan Culberson, Briana’s husband, is a retired Marine, and their frequent moves often coincided with his transition out of the military and new job opportunities. They aren't just a family of four anymore, either.
The Culberson Kids:
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- Troy: The firstborn we saw arrive on camera.
- Owen: The energetic middle child.
- Hank: Born in late 2020.
- Cora Rose: The "grand finale" and the family’s first girl, born in February 2022.
Four kids. That’s a lot. Especially when you consider that Briana spent years working as a high-stress ER trauma nurse. She’s mostly stepped back from that world now to focus on her family and her own health.
The Health Battle No One Saw Coming
The most frequent thing fans ask about is Briana's health. It hasn't been easy. On the show, we saw her deal with thyroid issues and enlarged lymph nodes, but the real bombshell dropped in the Season 11 finale when it was revealed she had been diagnosed with Lupus.
It got scary. Really scary.
Vicki later revealed that Briana almost died from a massive infection she picked up in a hospital. At one point, doctors were even considering amputating her leg. It’s a miracle she’s as healthy as she is today, but it required a total lifestyle overhaul.
The Keto Era and Holistic Shifts
You’ve probably seen the "Keto Culbersons" era on Instagram. Briana and Ryan became poster children for the ketogenic diet, claiming it helped manage her Lupus inflammation and led to a combined weight loss of over 100 pounds for the couple.
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Lately, her approach has shifted toward more holistic living. If you follow them on social media, you’ll see a lot of talk about essential oils (specifically Young Living), organic eating, and "clean" living. Some fans find it inspiring; others think it’s a bit "woo-woo," especially given her medical background as a nurse. But hey, if it keeps her out of the ER, who are we to judge?
Why She Won't Go Back to RHOC
Don't expect a comeback. Seriously.
Briana has been very vocal about the "trolls" and the negativity that comes with being on reality TV. She’s a "good mother, a good wife," and she doesn't want the drama anymore. She saw what the show did to her mother’s personal life, and she chose a different path.
There’s also the Ryan factor. Ryan was always a polarizing figure on the show—remember the couch yelling incident with Lydia McLaughlin’s mom? He’s been the driving force behind their move to more conservative, rural areas, and he seems to prefer having a platform on his own terms rather than through a Bravo lens.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think Briana and Vicki are constantly at odds because of the distance. While it’s true that Vicki was devastated when they moved away (she famously cried about flying cross-country being her "new normal"), they are actually quite close.
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Vicki is a doting "Nana." She’s frequently in Texas visiting the grandkids, even if she and Ryan still occasionally butt heads. Remember when Vicki accidentally leaked the gender of their fourth child on Instagram? Ryan was furious, but they eventually patched things up. That’s just family.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to keep up with Briana without the filter of a reality TV camera, here’s what you should know:
- Follow the source: She doesn't have a public personal Instagram anymore; she mostly posts through the @KetoCulbersons (now often focusing on general wellness) or appears on Ryan’s Instagram.
- Health Advocacy: If you’re struggling with autoimmune issues, Briana’s journey with Lupus is well-documented in their older posts, providing a look at how she managed "flare-ups" through diet.
- Private Life: Respect the boundary. She left the show to protect her kids from the public eye. While they share snippets, they aren't looking for the "Housewives" level of scrutiny.
Briana’s story is a rare one in the Bravo universe: a child star who grew up, saw the chaos, and chose peace (and a lot of kids) over a paycheck. She’s doing just fine without the orange.
Next Steps for You:
If you're curious about the current status of other OG kids, you should look into Michael Wolfsmith’s (Briana's brother) career in insurance or check out the recent updates on the "Real Housewives of Orange County" Season 18 cast to see if Vicki makes any "friend-of" appearances where she mentions the grandkids.