When The Real Housewives of Potomac cast crossed paths with a member of Karen Huger’s inner circle — DMV socialite Cherita “Cookie” Whiting — the ladies had questions about her new life in prison.
Gizelle Bryant was the first to approach Karen’s friend Cookie at Ashley Darby’s Second Bloom Ball during Season 10, Episode 2. At the time, Karen had recently been sentenced to one year in prison after being found guilty of multiple charges related to driving under the influence.
After Cookie revealed that Karen was actually “doing good” behind bars and said to tell Gizelle hello, the RHOP ‘Wife, in turn, asked if she’d “checked in with” Ray Huger.
“Oh yeah, I talk to Ray every day,” Cookie shared of Karen’s husband. “He’s doing good. He’s golfing and everything like that.”
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Gizelle went on to mention how she and some of the other ladies wanted to do “something cute and fun and special” for Karen’s birthday, and Cookie agreed to join her, Ashley and Keiarna Stewart.
Prior to Keiarna and Cookie arriving at “one of Karen’s favorite places,” Potomac’s Tally-Ho Restaurant, Gizelle and Ashley reminisced about her other birthdays that they’d celebrated over the years, often to comedic results. In her honor, Gizelle even ordered Karen’s go-to: French toast, scrambled eggs, and bacon.
“I wake up many days and think about where Karen is,” she opened up in a confessional. “To think that she’s there on her birthday, I just kinda feel like some of the girls who love her should get together and just pour one out for Karen.”
Inside Karen Huger’s life in prison
While chatting with a producer, Gizelle admitted to wondering about such specifics as “the vibe” in prison and whether or not Karen was rocking “her Poetic Justice cornrows.” She hoped that Cookie would be the one to shed some light on those curiosities and more.
“Listen, Cookie has been really good friends with Karen Huger for years,” Gizelle continued. “I’m not mad at not really talking to Karen, because I know I’m gonna be asked about it. I know that she’s talking to Cookie, her husband, and her daughter [Rayvin Huger]. Karen’s being strategic, and I’m not mad.”
Once Cookie joined them, Gizelle pointed out that Cookie “was with [Karen] in the courthouse” and called her “as soon as they took her” into custody, prompting Ashley to ask how Karen had handled the sentencing.
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“She was… very strong,” Cookie described to the ladies, confirming that Karen was participating in an “alcohol program” at the facility where she was serving her time.
As for Karen’s favorite “activities” behind bars, Cookie said, “She reads a lot of books. She’s exercising a lot.”
And, yes, Karen was “fitting in” with her fellow inmates just fine. “They love her,” Cookie continued, noting that the other women call her “Miss Karen.”Â
Though she remained tight-lipped on the possibility of Karen “getting out early,” Cookie confirmed that it was certainly something that was on the table.
When was Karen Huger released from prison?
Karen was released from the Montgomery County Detention Center on September 2, 2025, after serving six months of her year-long sentence, as seen at the top of the RHOP Season 10 premiere.
Cameras were rolling to document the moment when Karen officially became a free woman, and Season 10’s first episode included audio of her initial reaction. She could be heard telling herself, “It will be fine,” before entering her chauffeured vehicle, as news reporters gathered nearby.
Once inside her SUV, Karen remarked to an unseen person, “I’m good, thank you,” before asking, “Do we have tissues in here? Thank you so much.”
Don’t miss inside details on where Gizelle stands with Karen today, after her prison release.
