The Grand Dame is back with her Potomac pals and apparently defending her “institution of a marriage” to Ray Huger, while Ashley Darby is raising her eyebrows at Tia’s husband.
In a preview of The Real Housewives of Potomac Season 11, Karen Huger reunites with Gizelle Bryant and Ashley Darby, who are eager to hear how their friend is adjusting after serving six months in prison following her DUI conviction.
Before Karen arrives, Ashley wonders aloud what life looks like for her now, while Gizelle questions what her recovery entails. Once Karen joins them, however, she makes it clear that she appreciates the support she’s received from her longtime frenemy turned friend.
“Gizelle has been a very good friend,” Karen says in a confessional. “She has been there dropping stuff off in my mailbox and letting me know I’m loved and missed. And I really appreciate that. I know how hard that is for Gizzy. I’m very grateful for our friendship.”
A flashback backs up Karen’s claims, showing Gizelle making cookies for her and defending her during the reunion.
When Ashley asks how Karen feels being around people who are drinking, Karen says alcohol isn’t her primary concern.
“I’m not a big drinker,” she says, before explaining that medication is more of a challenge for her and that she makes a point not to be around it. This aligns with Karen’s previous claims that mixing alcohol with her antidepressants medicine is what caused her DUI crash.
Gizelle is happy to see her friend looking healthy, but in a confessional, she questions whether Karen has fully confronted her issues.
“I missed my girl,” says Gizelle. “I’m just super happy that she looks healthy. But you can’t get better until you admit who and what you are. So, we got to get to the first step.”
Karen later confirms that she’s still in therapy, calling it “really important” as she begins stepping back into her life.
Karen Huger Says She And Ray Have ‘Grown Apart’
The conversation takes a more contentious turn when Gizelle notices that Karen’s wedding ring is noticeably absent.
After joking about photos of Karen in Los Angeles looking “butt naked” in jeans, Gizelle points out that Karen’s hand was noticeably bare.
“Oh, it’s still empty, right?” she asks.
Ashley agrees that Karen previously always wore her ring and asks what’s going on.
“Ray and I are going through,” says Karen. We’ve grown apart.”
The admission expands on what fans already saw teased in the Season 11 trailer, in which Karen announced that she planned to live separately from her husband of nearly three decades.
Gizelle is understandably surprised by the possibility of the longtime couple separating.
“For 30 years. I mean, Karen, to think that you all wouldn’t, you know, be together…” she says.
Karen, however, quickly shuts down the line of questioning.
“I’m not being defensive. It’s none of your f***ing business, though,” she fires back.
“That’s beyond defensive,” Gizelle responds. “That’s marriage conversation, right?”
“My motherf***ing marriage conversation,” Karen retorts.
“That’s as defensive as it gets,” says Ashley, getting in the convo.
Karen then turns the tables, bringing up Ashley seemingly bone carrying like (now-returning) castmate Robyn Dixon, whom the Grande Dame is apparently still committed to calling “Robert.”
“I know you stepped in for Robert last year,” Karen says.
“Who is Robert?” a confused Gizelle asks.
“Miss Robyn. Robert,” Karen replies with a laugh.
With that, Karen moves on from her own relationship woes and turns the conversation toward one of Potomac’s newest Housewives, Tia Glover, whom she says she’s looking forward to meeting.
Ashley Darby Teases Trouble In Tia Glover’s Marriage
Gizelle predicts Karen will like the Season 11 Housewife and mentions Tia’s husband, Rob.
That’s when Ashley hints that there’s something awry about the British housewife’s hubby.
“People may think that Rob is this loving, committed, doting family man,” Ashley says in a confessional. “But there’s a lot more to him than meets the eye.”
The ladies also discuss Wendy Osefo after Karen’s memorable “shut the f*** up” remark to her during the reunion.
Ashley reveals that she hasn’t spoken to Wendy since the reunion in New York, while Karen says she reached out via text but never received a response.
Gizelle has a theory about why.
She suggests Karen’s blunt reunion comment might have something to do with Wendy’s silence, but Karen insists she wasn’t trying to attack her castmate.
“‘Shut the f*** up’ was just to protect her, that’s all,” Karen says, seemingly referencing Wendy’s looming legal issues. “I can speak from experience, so I don’t want that for her. “
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