The Real Housewives of Potomac is coming back for its ninth season in a matter of days. And now, Karen Huger is opening up about the show, her unfortunate DUI, and where she stands with the ladies.
Fans will recall that this has been a challenging year for Karen. Not only does she have to get to know new cast members, but she was also charged with a DUI in the early months of 2024. Based on the trailer for RHOP season nine, some of her cast members have had harsh words for Karen given this was her second DUI. However, others seem to have her back.
Recently, Karen sat down with Entertainment Tonight to discuss all things RHOP and to give an update on how things have been since the unfortunate car accident and DUI. When asked about that difficult topic, Karen says, “Well, first of all, I came from a place of gratitude.”
She explains, “One: I was glad no one was hurt. No one else was hurt. No one else was involved. Two: I was grateful to be alive, and I still am in that place of gratitude, so that’s how I carry it.”
Regarding the questions she knew her cast would have, Karen says, “And the questioning – that’s normal human behavior, and especially for RHOP. I expect nothing less.”
They then discuss the cast not having her back after the car wreck. Karen says, “I think human behavior really shows itself this season. I think viewers will appreciate that because I certainly handle it.”
She goes on, “I expected my friends to rally around me, and many did. Quite a few did not.”
Karen explains, “I’ll tell you who I was impressed with: Gizzy for a moment. She showed true and true. She was a little messy about it, too, but I’d rather take her first approach, which was concern for me, and I really appreciated that and I’m so grateful.”
When asked about moving on from the DUI, Karen says, “I don’t think I’m ever going to have it hang over my head. I’ve always been the type of person that brought my truth to the show, so this is part of my truth, but what you’ll get is the author of the truth, which is me.”
Regarding life lessons from the ordeal, she says, “To live each day with gratitude. I’m extremely grateful to be here. It didn’t have to work out that way, and I’m so grateful no one else was hurt.”
Karen also shared that she was not taking care of herself before the DUI.
She says, “I think we as women, especially Black women, we soldier, we take care of the family, we push through. But we all have a point where we have to take accountability of self. I realized I wasn’t taking care of Karen. I was taking care of everyone else.”
When asked what changes she’s made, Karen says, “I think it’s self-love. It taught me self-love. I had always certainly thought I loved myself, but you have to go deeper.”
The conversation then turns to her marriage and if everything is okay. Karen says, “There are good days and there are bad days and we work it out this season. I think that’s why our institution survives. We’re not pretentious. We’re not inflating it and we’re not deflating it.”
The topic of the cast shakeup for RHOP then comes up and how the dynamic is different.
According to Karen, “Well, of course, I miss the girls that I’ve been with for all those years. But I’m always open to new beginnings, and I’ll say the new girls are special. They’re really special, Bryce.”
She continues, “I’ll say Candiace is still there for me. We have a relationship outside of this show. I have not heard from Robyn, but I miss Robyn. I like sparring with her intellectually and calling her Robert. I miss that.”
Bryce then asks how Gizelle Bryant is handling Robyn no longer being on the show.
She says, “I’m sure Gizelle misses Robyn. That’s her friend, but Gizelle is a lone wolf anyway. She’s gonna be fine. Plus she has me, her best frenemy. Gizelle and I, this season, we’re pleasant and I think the viewers will enjoy that, but I don’t expect it to last.”
They then discuss Karen running into Nene Leakes and her telling Karen to beat up Gizelle.
“I have no idea why Nene wants me to beat Gizzy up. I think that’s personal, and they need to take it up.”
Karen also discusses Stacey Rusch, who is new this season. When asked to describe her, Karen says, “Fairweather. I don’t dislike Stacey, but she’s fairweather.”
She didn’t give specifics, but Karen also teased a major fight between two of the ladies that was not shown in the trailer for the season.
