The “Real Housewives” franchise returned with its newest ladies from the upper-echelon suburb of Potomac, Maryland. #RHOP follows the lives of six women, including Gizelle Bryant, Katie Rost, Karen Huger, Charrisse Jackson-Jordan, Robyn Dixon and Ashley Darby. This season is full of positively dynamic women who will have you laughing, crying and experiencing remarkable moments.
We sat down with three of the beautiful women from the new “Real Housewives of Potomac”: Karen Huger, Gizelle Bryant and Robyn
They dished on the show, their friendship and how reality TV has changed their lives. –starling thomas
Why did you decide to do this show?
Karen: I decided to do the show because it was the right time in my life and I think a lot of the mothers out there who are empty nesting can identify with where I’m at in my life and getting to two children gown and college educated and figure out what you are going to do with your life. I took it on as a rebirth and it has been a phenomenal ride, it’s been fun. It’s a hoot! I’ve enjoyed it!
Gizelle: I can say similar to Karen; this was the perfect time in my life to do something like this and honored to be a part of The Real Housewives of Potomac. I really wanted to show me and my life, me being a mom and the interaction between me and my children, it’s just something I’m truly proud of. It’s just a great time for me.
Robyn: Gizelle and Charrisse, who are my good friends were already on board when they both came calling to me saying “would you consider this opportunity?” I said to myself: well why not? You only live once, people rarely ever get an opportunity like that and I understand that it’s a huge undertaking and maybe I didn’t quite understand what was involved but I just said why not. I always say that people always worry about how I’m going to be perceived on television or what they’re going to make me look like on television and I say well, if I act a fool and I talk a fool then I’m going to look a fool so at the end of the day I’m in charge of my destiny.
How do you deal with some of the circumstances you can be put in during the show so that you do still maintain that positive image?
Robyn: For me it was always reflecting on what is my foundation? How would I want my family to feel after they saw this on TV? I was always grounded during the filming process. Keeping that in mind kept me in check and also the fact that we were friends prior to this journey does help me respond in a way that also hopefully puts my cast members in a good light. We use our words to settle any disagreements and that was key for me. Our drama doesn’t get physical. We’re not interested in pulling hair or throwing drinks, we’re not interested in any of that. We handle our drama in a very adult and mature way so that if there is something that needs to be addressed, then we address it right on. You kind of just have to go to the source, speak directly and move on.
Karen: You have six powerful personalities in one room. There is going to be plenty of drama and I just echo with Robyn, we have chosen as we always did in our real lives and our reality TV to share that with the audience. There’s a way to handle it without being physical. But there’s definitely enough disagreements but agreeing to disagree and move on.
How has being on this show changed your life?
Robyn: When I am in my house I’m the same person but when I step outside of my house I have to remember like, “Oh God I’m on a show that’s why these people are looking at me like that.” They might not expect to run into me at certain places. It hasn’t been extremely overwhelming and I think it’s been a gradual process that we’ve been eased into, which has been helpful. Definitely, it’s different but I’m embracing it.
Gizelle: I forget that I’m on a show every Sunday night at 9 o’clock. I totally forget, so when I walk around like yesterday at the post office and I had just come from the gym and I look absolutely insane and everybody wants to take pictures I and I totally forget I was on the show. Maybe that’s not a good idea. I feel like everyone else reminds me of the show where I forget.
Karen: In the community for me, I’d have to say it’s very humbling. I’m living my life on TV now but I forget also when I go out in public and people come up and shake my hand and say, “I’m so proud of you girl, you are doing a good job.” So for me it just resonated me to be humble in this moment. I’m very proud of this moment.
Karen, you are called the “Etiquette Queen.” How did you become so well versed in the etiquette game and why is that so important for you to share that with the world?
Karen: Well, let me start off by saying that any title that is bestowed upon me is not one that I assigned myself so I humbly accept. It’s very important that I raise my children that there is a proper time and proer place for everything. There must be an inter switch that you know how to behave yourself or conduct yourself in certain surroundings. Do I profess to be the queen of it? No, but I humbly accept the crown.
Gizelle, what would be your advice to other new single moms trying to get back in the dating game?
Gizelle: I would tell them, especially if they have kids, any anybody with kids especially small ones that’s your first order of responsibility so when it comes to dating have fun. Don’t go into it trying to find another husband, just have a good time and relax and enjoy it. A lot of times people date a guy one time and that it if they find a million things wrong with him then they move on to the next. Take your time with the guy, date him two or three time before you decide to get rid of him and move on. Just have fun, always look cute and wear a tight dress.
Why is this season of “Real Housewives” the best yet to come?
Robyn: We have been completely honest and open with our lives and I really think viewers will enjoy seeing all of our lives. We all come from different walks of life. We range from Ashley who’s 27 to people in their 30s, 40s, 50s and so we have a wide range of lifestyles and personalities and I think that everyone should find one of us that they can connect to because we are all at different places in our lives. If they just keep watching, enjoy the show and respect the fact that we were courageous enough to share our lives and hopefully enjoy watching us. I think they will enjoy it in the end. They should enjoy it now but if they don’t for some reason then they should just keep watching.
Karen: Stay along for the whole journey because we are multi-faceted women. We are different but we complement each other so well and I think that at the end of the day the friendship that was prior to taping resonates and you will see that and I think that is something that the audience will enjoy so, stay tuned.
