Karen Huger previews her RHOP comeback “shocker”
Though Karen was in prison on a DUI conviction for the majority of Season 10, she wasn’t entirely left out of filming. The finale exclusively focused on her return home, including a candid interview with Andy Cohen about her life behind bars, and she also appeared at the reunion. Still, RHOP Season 11 marks Karen’s official comeback as a full-time cast member — and it didn’t go quite as she expected.
“Shooting this season was absolutely a shocker,” Karen told Bravo Insider. “It was messy, very catty, very fun, and very insightful. I mean, I am actually looking at new girls, old girls, and we had some fun and some drama.”
Having “made it through recovery,” the Grande Dame returned with a renewed sense of gratitude. “The crown can shift,” she said. “It’s not how it shifts, it’s how you correct it and put it right back in the right spot. So, life happens. It’s how you handle it.”
Karen noted that she also approached Season 11 with a fresh perspective that inspired her to “embrace” all of her castmates. “I got close to every girl because what life has taught me is you give everyone an opportunity to show you who they are,” she added. “So, I took a year off, think about it, you know? I was away, even though I was still on the show, so I had to get to know each woman individually.”
That’s not to say she avoided the drama completely, however. After revealing that she and Stacey “are having a moment now,” Karen teased, “I expect the unexpected to reveal the truth about each and every one of us. Those of us who are accountable are very accountable. Those of us who never are accountable never are and never will be accountable, from what I could tell.”
RELATED: How to Watch and Stream The Real Housewives of Potomac Season 11
Gizelle Bryant teases a “rough patch” for her and Karen Huger amid shifting friendships
Gizelle, like her castmates, was “super happy” that Karen returned to the show, sharing, “I realized that I missed her and I love her and I want the best for her.” As the Season 11 trailer already previewed, it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing for Gizelle and Karen the entire time, however.
“Karen and I had a rough patch,” Gizelle admitted. “But we got to the other side. I can say that successfully. I feel like I started out the seasons fighting for my life with all the ladies. I think they were all mad at me collectively, but we have seen brighter days.”
Before they got to that point, however, some of the women had to face some hard truths, according to Gizelle. “All the lies are uncovered,” she said, summing up Season 11 in one sentence.
By her account, that’s just how the “crazy dynamics amongst the group” tend to go, with friendships shifting “week by week,” but at the end of the day, the sisterhood remains.Â
“This season, I really feel like there is, overall, a strong connection amongst the group,” Gizelle added. “There’s a strong friendship. There’s history, which, in years past, we haven’t necessarily had. I do feel like, for the most part, we all kinda really care about each other.”
Robyn Dixon opens up about her “stress-free” RHOP return
Along with Karen, Gizelle’s bestie Robyn was the second RHOP OG to return for Season 11, following a two-year absence. After a challenging Season 8 and her subsequent departure, Robyn said she was “hesitant” to make her comeback. “I was very much enjoying my peace at home, just being a private citizen,” she shared.
After deciding to rejoin RHOP in a friend role, Robyn was “pleasantly surprised” by the reception she received from the ladies on her first day of filming. “Even though there were some issues that the group had amongst themselves, everyone still had a spirit of sisterhood, and that was so warm and welcoming to me,” she said. “And so, just from day one, I was like, OK, this is different. I can get with this. So, it’s been fun.”
RELATED: Robyn Dixon Reveals How She Feels About Returning to RHOP As a Friend: “Want to Make Something Clear…”
What’s more, “being a friend is so stress-free,” Robyn added with a laugh. That mindset ultimately impacted her Season 11 friendships, too. “I’m just in a really good place with all of the ladies, and I don’t think I’ve ever been able to say that before,” she continued. “In all my previous eight seasons, I’ve probably never have been able to say, yes, I’m good with everyone.”
In fact, Robyn noted that viewers can look forward to seeing her be “the voice of reason” this year. “Even though in the past, I was kind of labeled as agreeing with whatever Gizelle did, that really wasn’t the case,” she elaborated. “I would have differing opinions from her. But I think this season, you’ll actually really get to hear it and see that Gizelle and I, although we are best friends and we work together and we’re reasonably shady together, we still are two very different people.”
Ashley Darby hints that a close friendship will “deteriorate” on RHOP Season 11
Despite teasing some ups and downs ahead, Ashley was glad to have Robyn back in the mix. “That’s like my sister,” she told Bravo Insider. “We don’t always get along, sometimes the s–t hits the fan, but somehow we always bring it back together, we really do. And it’s nice having her back in the group. I missed her playfulness; I missed my go-out partner who will have tequila shots with me when no one else in the group will. And I’m just like, ‘Robyn, don’t ever leave me again.'”
Not everyone in the group was able to successfully navigate their conflicts as seamlessly as Ashley and Robyn, however — including an unexpected duo.
“Surprisingly, there was a friendship in the group that I [thought] had some staying power,” Ashley hinted. “The girls really cared for each other and had a very deep respect for each other. But unfortunately, I was proven wrong. And to watch that relationship deteriorate or go off the tracks was even hard for me, because I had so much faith in them becoming really close, like sisters. And to watch that sort of sisterhood diminish was really challenging.”
As for what to expect from her specifically on Season 11, Ashley added, “I think fans will be very pleasantly surprised for a little role reversal that I have this season. As we all know, I’m not afraid to stir the pot. But there is a bit of a shift in the group dynamics later in the season that really makes me sort of change my opinion on some things.”
Stacey Rusch reveals the “biggest surprise” of RHOP Season 11
Though it’s unclear if Ashley was referring to Stacey, a friendship is blossoming that might shock viewers as much as it did them. “I cannot believe I’m saying this, but believe it or not, there is some growth with Ashley Darby,” Stacey revealed. “And I cannot wait for everyone to see where we land.”
She continued, “Due to the grace of God, we’re moving forward, and I think that the viewers are going to be entertained with this new frenemy relationship. I think that Ashley is seriously my first frenemy. I’ve never had a frenemy. It’s like you love someone, but they also get on your nerves. You enjoy hanging out with someone, but they terrorize you. It’s this juxtaposition of a crazy relationship and it is insane, and I’m here for it.”
Stacey even predicted that the “wild ride” of her friendship dynamics could be the “biggest surprise” of Season 11. “I am still closest to Wendy, but I’m also realizing that our relationship has ebbs and flows,” Stacey said. “I also like where I am with Karen, but she is a mystery, isn’t she? Our relationship has definitely had highs and lows, and I think that you will continue to see that this season. I love Robyn. She’s a great addition to the group. She’s my Aries sister.”
On the flip side, however, Stacey referred to her friendship with Gizelle as a “lost cause” and also remained tellingly silent when asked for her thoughts on newcomer Courtney.
Regardless, Stacey concluded, “This season is a little different for me in that I am having so much fun. I’m letting my hair down. I’m living in the moment. I’m saying what I’ve always wanted to say to all of these women, and it feels good.”
Wendy Osefo says people will be “unmasked” during RHOP‘s “rollercoaster” new season
Wendy, for her part, echoed the sentiment that viewers can expect to see some friendships undergo seismic shifts on Season 11.
“I will say Potomac has the most ever-changing dynamic,” she said. “You think people are really close, you think people are friends, and then in the blink of an eye, they’re no longer speaking. So, stay tuned. This season is a rollercoaster ride. I will say that. It’s a big rollercoaster ride.”
Wendy added, “I think lots of people will be unmasked this season. Season 11 of RHOP is going to go down in the history books for our franchise. It’s a good one.”
Despite all the drama, the women still supported Wendy amid her ongoing legal issues, and she also became “really close” with Tia. “This new season felt honestly good,” Wendy concluded. “I was a little bit nervous entering this new season, but overall, I think the women were very warm. They all exceeded my expectations in a good way.”
Tia leaned on her RHOP castmates and family amid “some personal challenges”
Tia, meanwhile, confirmed that she’s “definitely a lot closer to Wendy this season,” adding that her relationship with Gizelle “has grown stronger,” too. Her friendship with Stacey, on the other hand, “needs the most work.”
Given that she’s no longer the newbie, Tia described Season 11 as actually feeling “a lot different,” on the whole. “I know the ladies better, so there’s more of a rapport,” she explained. “So, in many ways, it felt easier.”
At the same time, some moments “felt harder,” as Tia recalled being “up against some personal challenges” on RHOP. “But I’ve had my mum with me this season, which has felt really lovely. And it’s been nice to include her,” she said. “The girls have been very kind and loving towards her. She gets to have a bit of my world, and so she’s thoroughly enjoying it.”
Tia said that her castmates — “with the exception of one or two” — were also “really supportive” toward her. “A lot of the friendships have grown stronger this season, because we’re all going through something,” she said. “A lot of the ways the women have responded towards me in ways I wasn’t expecting. But they’ve been really real with me, challenged me, encouraged me, and I’ve really appreciated that.”
Meet RHOP Season 11 newbie Courtney Ajinça
Tia passed the Season 11 newbie torch to her friend and client, Courtney, who introduced herself to viewers at the photoshoot.
“I’m from Charlotte, North Carolina,” Courtney began. “I have two sons, Carter and Casen, and I am the wife of NBA player Alexis Ajinça, who’s a now a coach. I spent the last decade producing over-the-top celebrity events, some for some of your favorite Bravolebrities. I just enjoy life and everything that comes with it.” She added that her hobbies include biking and rollerblading.
Courtney went on to unpack the “roller coaster of emotions” that came with her joining the cast. “There was a time where I was like, ‘I’m done with this, I’m walking away. These girls are crazy,'” she recalled. “But I’m so happy I stuck it out, because I really have made some real relationships with these girls and some true connections. I’m just super grateful for the whole thing.”
Within the RHOP cast, Courtney is still closest to Tia. “She’s actually the godmother of my baby,” Courtney shared. “I love her mom; I love her family. But I really love all the other ladies. I mean, there might be a couple that might not be the best. You guys will have to watch and see. But I really have enjoyed just getting to know these ladies on and off camera.”
Previewing what’s ahead for her on Season 11, Courtney said, “Fans can really expect for me to bare it all and be fully transparent. I really let the fans into my life, into my struggles, in my wins, seeing me being a mom and a wife. I take the fans on a journey this season, and I really hope that they’ll enjoy it.”
The RHOP Season 11 cast navigates “really heavy things,” according to Monique Samuels
Returning for her second consecutive season as a friend of the cast, Monique had an “easy-breezy” experience, as she put it, that ultimately allowed her to, more or less, sit back and take in all the drama. At times, she even played the mediator.
“I don’t have a lot of conflict with anybody,” Monique said. “I hope to just come into the group and be that voice of reason and help some of the girls work through their issues that they may have with other people. And any issues that I have, I confront directly. And then it’s done.”
Regarding her Season 11 friendships, Monique said that she and Ashley are “really close,” and she’s also “grown very close” to Wendy.
“If I could tease the season, I would say, be ready to see some real-life stuff,” Monique hinted. “I feel like the ladies really came with vulnerability this season, and I feel like the viewers are going to be able to relate in different ways. They’re dealing with some really heavy things that we navigate as a group, and we are supporting each other in a way that I don’t think I’ve ever seen with this group. It’s good healthy drama, but then there’s good healthy resolution.”
