Season 9 ofThe Real Housewives of Potomacis going to be a very important year in the history ofthe reality franchise. After a tumultuous season 8 due toRobyn Dixon’sdecision not to share her truth, making producers go back and attempt to piece together information shared via social media after production was complete. Producers struggled unsuccessfully to capture some of the truth, but ultimately Robyn was fired because she blatantly ignored the fact that she was on a reality show and responsible for sharing at least some parts of her reality.
Candiace Dillard Bassettannounced she would be leaving the show also afterannouncing her pregnancyafter the season 8 reunion.The “Drive Back” singercited the stress from the toxic culture of unmarried women attempting to destroy marriages - specifically her marriage - as her reason for leaving. With the two main characters gone, production made a knee-jerk decision to introduce two new faces as principal characters,Stacey RuschandKeirna Stewart,and neither are proving that they deserve to be among the ladies ofPotomacearly on.
Keirna Stewart Sued Ashley Darby’s Friend Deborah Williams After ‘RHOP ‘Brawl
Stewart was introduced as a friend of the cast in season 8, so she is somewhat of a familiar face. She was included in the drama of last season’s girls trip and somehow managed to become entangled inthe infamous brawlwith Ashley’s friend,Deborah Williams. Several blog sites reportedKeirna was suing Deborah for $100 million in damagesdue to mental and physical anguish, during a physical altercation that took place at an event celebratingGizelle BryantandAshley Darby’s new clothing line. Keirna’s lawsuit was filed in DC’s superior court in February 2024. Aside from suing Ashley’s friend, and looking great during the girl’s trip, little is known about Keirna’s personal life prior to joining the show.
Candiace Dillard-Basset on Not Watching ‘RHOP’ Season 9: “I’m Perfectly Happy Focusing on My New Baby”
Season 9 of ‘RHOP’ premieres Sunday, Oct. 6. Candiace Dillard-Bassett exited after Season 8 and tells Collider in an exclusive that she won’t watch.
Allegedly, she owns two successful beauty lines and is one of the most in-demand bachelorettes in the area. Keirna has assured production that she is offering them a front row seat to her current dating adventures, which never proves promising withReal Housewivesaudiences. One would think watching a woman sort through the dating waters in her zip code would be entertaining, but instead it works against the character’s familiarity with fans. Butshe is reportedly in a relationship that fans will see unfoldthroughout the season.
Stacey Rusch’s QVC Affiliation Presents an Interesting Background, But Isn’t Enough
AdditionalRHOPnewcomer Stacey has an interesting background. A former QVC model,Stacey is returning to her hometown after things have gone south with her rich German husband. She is mother to an adorable eight-year-old, which could potentially connect her withWendybecause they both have young children, but the marital breakdown is inevitably the pink elephant in the room. Stacey’s introduction scenes have warned audiences that she isn’t free to speak much about her estranged husband, mainly because his face is blurred out in family pictures. She was also very careful during her confessional scenes to not give too much away.
‘RHOP’ Needs To Ensure There Is a Plan B For Newcomers Stacey and Keirna
Both Stacey and Keirna have all the individual bells and whistles needed to fit the aesthetic ofRHOP, but upon further investigation into their story line it’s clear, both lack the potential to keep the audience’s attention. While the majority of the focus of theReal Housewivesfranchise rests heavily upon the women to drive interests, the audience does grant preference to a great family dynamic.Real Housewivesfans enjoy real relationships far more than they enjoy watching cast members date. It is the relationships that add consistency for both cast and fans. When fans can root for or against the relationships, it is when the show has reached it’s sweet spot, particularly when those members have shownauthenticity and vulnerability in the fight for their marriage.
WithStacey not being able to divulge information about her estranged husband, she is entering as a newbie with a severe handicap. For Keirna, her personality alone is going to be a heavy one indeed, unless she gives all the tea on her romantic life.
The audience didn’t give season’s newbieNneka Ihima fighting chance, and she came equipped with a professional husband and an impending fertility journey.RHOPproducers were no doubt panicking when they learned of Candiace’s exit,and their choices prove they may need to go back to the drawing board and find a plan B for both Keirna and Stacey unless things change drastically over the next few episodes.RHOPfans have a niche palette and won’t be satisfied with anything less than bourgeouise, beautiful, socially relevant and substantial.
The Real Housewives of Potomac airs every Sunday on Bravo with next-day streaming available on Peacock.
The Real Housewives of Potomac
We follow the lives of 6 women residents of Potomac, Maryland, each in various stages of life and affluence, shaping their community and their lives.
