Wendy Osefo on “Different” RHOP Season 9, Gizelle Friendship

Credit: Phylicia J. L. Munn/Bravo

The Real Housewives of Potomac is here, and the cast members are all doing press amid the new season. Of course, they have much to prove, as many fans left season 8 feeling a bit underwhelmed. Now, Wendy Osefo is opening up about what viewers can expect, her friendship with Gizelle Bryant, and how the cast shakeup makes the show work.

Fans will recall that there are a few people missing from the show for season 9. Robyn Dixon announced that she was fired and Candiace Dillard-Bassett let fans know she wouldn’t be returning before the reunion even aired. Additionally, Nneka Ihim won’t be here this season following her first year on the show. 

Recently, Wendy sat down for an interview with Entertainment Tonight. Naturally, the RHOP star had quite a bit to say. She first talked about the changing dynamics and how it made her feel when they started filming. 

According to Wendy, “Stepping into this season, I was like ‘Woah. what is this going to look like?’ After the first two cast interactions, I was like, ‘I know what this is gonna look like.’”

She goes on, “It was different. It was like new energy. It was different personalities that I had not even encountered in my own personal life. I was intrigued. I was left with questions, but overall, it was fun. I had fun this season.”

Wendy then talks about keeping in touch with Candiace. She says, “It’s interesting. She reached out to me recently, and she asked for recommendations for breast pumps because when I was on the show, one thing she always said was that my breast pump was so loud and it would lull her to sleep.”

They then talk about fans being confused by her friendship with Gizelle based on what they saw in the trailer. However, Wendy explains, “That’s not where it started and I’m really excited for viewers to see the journey and to see the progression, and to see who extended the olive branch. It’s gonna throw you for a little loop.”

The interviewer also asked Wendy what she had to say to people who believed she had always wanted Gizelle’s approval. 

“I don’t have a message to them because that means they wanted to think that anyway. If you can watch this season with that evidence laid out in front of you to see that that’s not what actually happened, then I think that you just want the situation to be a certain type of way.”

Wendy also discusses resigning from teaching for the time being. When asked how the transition has been, she says, “It’s interesting because I did[have FOMO], and it was particularly for the institution I was working at. I have been there for so long. I know their policies and procedures; they just became natural to me.”

She continues, “But I wanted to challenge myself. I gave myself the summer off. I haven’t had a summer off from teaching in years, and it felt so good just to travel and be with my family. So, even though it was a hard decision, I enjoyed it.”

The topic of Wendy going to the White House also comes up. She says of the experience, “We went all the way to 1600 Pensavalaina Ave, baby. What a moment for me, what a moment for my show and what really stuck out to me was that the conversation was initiated by the White House. To me, that was a testament to me often feeling in my career that I’m not where I want to be or I haven’t done anything.”

They also talked about the cast changes and how she feels about Keiarna Stewart being promoted to a housewife. She says, “I am so happy for her. She is deserving of it and I’m so excited for you guys to get to know her more. Get to see more of her personal life, her business, and her entrepreneurial spirit. I just think she’s such a great addition.”

Of course, they also discussed Karen Huger‘s car wreck and DUI, as it will be a focal point of the season. According to Wendy, “It is a very tough walk, and I believe you have to navigate it the way you know how to best. So, I think some viewers may like the way she responded to it, but, you know, everyone has their own opinions. Others may be like they don’t like it, but it’s Karen’s story, and it’s Karen’s story to tell.”

Ashley Darby also comes up as the RHOP season 9 trailer shows her and Wendy getting into it. Regarding Ashley, Wendy says, “She is the same messy Ashley, okay. So, it is what it is. Nothing has changed with that one.”

Wendy describes season 9 of the show by saying, “Refresh. It’s let’s give this a go again, but with a clean slate. That’s what I would tell viewers. I would tell viewers to come back, watch season 9, do it with a fresh pair of eyes with all of the ladies and you will love it. 

As Karen did in a previous interview, Wendy also says fans need to “brace themselves” for a massive blowout that was not in the trailer. 

Live Viewing Thread – This is also the live viewing thread for the Real Housewives of Potomac season 9 premiere episode! So feel free to chat and comment below as the episode airs on Bravo at 8/7c.