The Real Housewives of Potomac is back for its ninth season, and many fans feel it’s making up for the lackluster eighth installment. Notably, many feel that Gizelle Bryant has been a breath of fresh air this year as she has begun taking more accountability, and she seems a bit more pleasant with the ladies (besides having them kicked out of her event). Now, the RHOP star is opening up about the positive fan feedback, how Karen Huger is handling her unique challenges, and more.
Much of this season so far has revolved around the ladies’ reactions to Karen’s DUI — or her accident, as she calls it. Many have compared her situation to Shannon Beador‘s when it comes to accountability. So far, Gizelle has been on Karen’s side, but she’s also found ways to be honest about the situation.
Recently, Gizelle sat down for an interview with Decider to discuss the show. She was first asked about how she feels about the positive things viewers have been saying about her this year.
According to Gizelle, “This is season nine. The viewers are very much aware of who I am as a person. In years past, some felt like I was so messy and into everybody’s business and causing drama. Well, no, I was just making a show.”
“I was just allowing the fans to get to know me in that way, and now they love me that way. I feel like RHOP has drama and shadiness, but it’s not toxic. It’s fun. That’s who and what I am,” she added.
The interviewer then asked if Gizelle thinks that Karen is growing. She responded, “Growing? Yeah, she’s evolving. Karen is evolving. Karen had an incident recently, and that caused her to do a lot of self-reflection. People didn’t give her grace this season, and she’s fighting for her life. But it is what it is. If it was somebody else, she’d be coming for them.”
They then discussed the scene from the premiere where Gizelle took Karen out for breakfast, and the interviewer noted that Gizelle was supportive of her fellow RHOP OG. Gizelle was then asked if Karen knew she was being supportive or if she was in damage control mode.
Gizelle said, “Both. Karen definitely wanted to get a pulse on whether ‘Gizelle going to be shady in this moment’ or whether ‘Gizelle is going to be like a good friend and care about my well-being in this moment.’”
She explained, “Initially, it was a temperature check on her part. When she realized that I was coming to her in a caring way, she was okay to let her guard down a little bit. But for the rest of her life, Karen will be in damage control.”
They also discussed her fixing things with Wendy Osefo. About the new relationship, Gizelle said, “We had a ridiculous reunion coming out of season eight. With a new group coming back, I felt like we needed a fresh start. I wanted to figure out where we went wrong and figure out how we can move forward, if we can. That was my position. ”
She explained, “The group needed to gel a bit. I’m an OG; I’m a leader in this group. It was on me to try to figure that out. I was happy to see if Miss Wendy would be willing to start with a clean slate.”
Gizelle also talked about the newbies and who has the most staying power for the show.
According to her, “Definitely [Stacey]. She was married. She has similarities to some of the ladies in the group. She’s going through a divorce. She has an interesting mother. She’s different in many ways though, and different in this group is good.”
She added, “She’s quirky. [She] doesn’t take herself too seriously, which we love. Right behind her, I would say Keiarna. K has been around the group for a little while and understands the dynamics. She has figured out how she fits in, which I’ve liked.”
The topic of Mia Thornton also came up, and Gizelle said she would have quite a bit to answer for at the reunion. She said, “Mia does not understand what the word ‘truth’ means. Mia lies about everything. She lies to the point where I’m getting bored. So, there’s that.”
Lastly, they talked about Robyn Dixon. Gizelle shared that Robyn is opening a Med Spa, and they’re about to start the fifth season of their podcast.
She also said, “I want Robyn to return! I’m starting a campaign. ‘Bring Robyn back!’ Truth be told, Karen really missed Robyn. Ashley really missed Robyn. The ladies would love to have Robyn back.”
