Bravo fans can always count on The Grande Dame to give her opinion.
As The Real Housewives of Potomac heads into its eighth season, Karen Huger attended the BET 2023 Awards, where she dished on the “messy” upcoming season, and specifically, co-star Robyn Dixon.
The franchise’s seventh season saw Robyn come under scrutiny after it was revealed that she had lied about not knowing that her husband, Juan Dixon, engaged in inappropriate behavior with a woman online and paid for a hotel stay.
Despite repeatedly denying the rumors, Robyn eventually revealed that the speculation was true to her Reasonably Shady podcast host and RHOP castmate, Gizelle Bryant. The revelation came on top of Juan being fired from his job as Coppin State University’s head basketball coach after sexual abuse allegations were made against an assistant coach on Juan’s staff.
It was speculated that due to the controversial issues plaguing her family’s personal life, Robyn may not return for season eight. But Robyn, who’s half of the Green-Eyed Bandits, made it back.
“Robyn made it back and the show is great. The girls are, per usual, messy as heck,” Karen told ET on the BET Awards red carpet. “Always loving to come for the Grande Dame as they so charmingly call me but want to call themselves that too.”
Karen teased that fans will get to see more of her business-savvy side come out too.
“It’s a great show, it’s been a great opportunity, and this year, you’ll see a little Dame — the brand from the Grande Dame — expand in such a way that it’s a powerful Black moment.”
RHOP fans couldn’t help but appreciate Karen’s subtle interview shade toward Robyn.
“I just love the mess,” one fan wrote.
Another commented, “Karen activated!”
A third quipped, “Pls Karen!! The way she stays PRESSED over Robyn!”
A fourth lamented, “Robyn better be f–king interesting this season, otherwise, Imma have to call Andy [Cohen] myself.”
Karen also touched on Robyn and Juan’s legal situation regarding the sexual abuse allegations that are still ongoing. The RHOP star made it clear that though she “wishes Juan well,” her thoughts are, more importantly, with the victim.
“I try to stay out of legal matters, you know, I’m not immune to it, and I stood by my husband through those matters. But I’m a praying woman, and I wish [Juan] well in that arena but also, my heart goes out to the young man,” Karen said. “And that is why it’s in court and we’re gonna wait [to see] what they have to say. I don’t know but I’m wishing everyone the best and healing from this because I’m a mama bear. Whatever I do, kids are number one and trusting our children’s institutions to educate them and have people around them trusted. It’s very important.”
Karen’s fellow RHOP castmate, Candiace Dillard Bassett, also spoke with the outlet earlier this year. She claimed Robyn wasn’t completely honest with the group about the legal issues surrounding Juan, but like Karen, she was keeping the family in her thoughts and prayers.
“I was really disappointed, but that was the way things went for her. … Maybe she knew it was going to go that way, and he was ultimately going to lose his job, but she presented it to us in a much different way,” she confessed. “So, for me, I was very stunned, and for her children, very hurt, and I do still wish them well and I pray this does not have long-lasting effects on his career and on their reputation because it’s intense.”
Karen rounded out the interview on a positive note, explaining that she was “honored” to be attending the BET Awards and celebrating “Black excellence.”
“We have to take full credit for what it is that we do, and we’ve done it well, so here we stand tonight. And I’m honored to be here, my children insisted that I be here because they are busy and I’m representing my kids [who] love hip-hop as do I.”
Production on season eight of The Real Housewives of Potomac is currently underway.