The Real Housewives of Potomac might be Bravo's most drama-packed franchise of all of the Real Housewives cities. Throughout the show's six seasons the cast maneuvers a husband's sexual assault allegations, cast-member fistfights, and even litigation. But fans of the franchise know that for all the constant craziness in Potomac, there's always more going on behind the scenes.
It's known that housewives' dirty laundry eventually comes to light once the show airs, but the ladies of Potomac still managed to keep some secrets to themselves... at least until Andy Cohen (with help from Nicki Minaj) brought out the receipts at the reunion. Despite being some of the shadiest ladies in the Bravo-verse, there's some tea that the cast of Potomac knows better than to spill.
Ashley Darby's Open Marriage
After the avalanche of rumors surrounding Ashley and Michael Darby's marriage, viewers and cast members alike suspected that perhaps the Darbys' relationship was more of an "arrangement" than previously disclosed. Ashley is one of the youngest housewives while Michael is a few decades older, prompting cast members and fans to speculate on the nature of their relationship. Ashley admits in later seasons that she and Michael have had a few group-sex experiences together, but denies that they're swingers.
Cast members openly question Michael's sexuality after the multiple butt-grabbing incidents, but the Darbys give no credence to these accusations either. Though questions surrounding the Darbys' marital and potentially extra-marital affairs continue to arise, Ashley remains steadfast that she and her husband have a normal marriage... until she finally admits in season 5 that they do, in fact, have an open relationship. Monique knew the entire time, but wasn't about to reveal that without Ashley's permission!
Katie Rost's Castmate Fling
Since Katie Rost left RHOP after season 1 in an air of mystery, rumors began circulating on social media that the openly bisexual former model had a "sexual relationship" with one of her castmates. Rost confirmed these rumors in since-deleted Instagram comments, saying that the rumor is "my own business and hers" and that she'd "never out someone who isn't ready."
That didn't stop viewers and castmates alike from speculating! Even Andy Cohen threw his guess into the ring at the season 5 reunion, asking Ashley Darby if she and Katie hooked up (Ashley denies it). Six seasons later, it seems viewers may never know for sure who it was.
Charrisse Jackson-Jordan's Alleged Fireman Boyfriend
Throughout season 1 of RHOP, it was difficult for viewers to discern what exactly the status of Charisse's marriage to Eddie Jackson was, considering he never once appeared on the show nor seemed to live with her. Their unusual arrangement wasn't entirely foreign to the cast, however, considering Robyn's situation with Juan at the time.
During an episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Gizelle tells Andy that Charisse had a secret fireman boyfriend as her marriage to Eddie was ending. Charisse denied these rumors. When Andy asks Karen about the fireman, Karen decides to "plead the fifth," prompting Charisse to fire back and accuse Karen of having a secret boyfriend of her own. This starts one of the
Michael Darby Allegedly Groped Producers
Michael Darby's alleged groping incidents are well-documented on the show, beginning with Katie Rost's fiancé on the dancefloor in the first season. However, it isn't until filming season 4, when a cameraman filed a police report claiming that Michael grabbed his butt non-consensually, that Michael's past actions really came under fire, revealing a whole lot more behind the scenes that viewers were unaware of.
In questioning whether Michael is guilty of groping the cameraman, Gizelle, Karen, Monique, Candiace, and Robyn come forward stating producers told them about experiencing unwanted touching from the Aussie businessman. Michael and Ashley vehemently deny all of the accusations and the criminal case against Michael eventually gets dropped, but plenty of the cast's questions remain.
Michael Darby's Drunken Rambling
One of the biggest mysteries of season 4, besides whether Michael Darby groped the cameraman, was who he was talking about that drunken night at Ashley's uncle's birthday party. Robyn insinuates that he was discussing one of the ladies' husbands, but she's adamant she'd prefer not to say who.
Finally, at Andy Cohen's prying, Robyn cracks and admits that Michael was referring to Juan. Surely Juan would rather this not be known considering his friendly relationship with Michael, but it doesn't seem to alter the way they interact moving forward.
Monique Samuels' Paternity Rumors
One of the more damaging off-screen rumors of the entire show began prior to season 5 being filmed and concerned the paternity of Monique Samuels' newborn son. Once filming began, it became apparent that Monique was extremely angry at Charisse Jackson-Jordan about something. Between Housewives seasons, they became enemies for undisclosed reasons until Gizelle shed light on the rumor that Monique had an affair with her personal trainer.
It wasn't until the season 5 reunion that Monique accused Charisse of taking the rumor even further: calling the paternity of Monique's newborn son into question and purportedly trying to get that storyline to air on the show. Thankfully, even Gizelle knew better than to speak that sort of unsubstantiated mess into existence, but the bad blood from this rumor's origin leaked into Monique's relationship with Candiace.
Karen's Sex Life Struggles
The topic of Karen and Ray Huger's sex life comes up often on the show, but it especially becomes the center of speculation during season 5 when Karen admits she and Ray are having marital issues. The ladies begin discussing among themselves whether Karen and Ray are having sex at all when Robyn decides to drop a bombshell.
The less-messy of the "green-eyed bandits," Robyn doesn't gleefully spread rumors the same way Gizelle does. This makes it all the more surprising when she discloses on camera that Karen admitted that she "hates her husband's d**k" when she and Robyn were drunk together a few years prior. This is flat-out denied by Karen at the reunion later, but it's a difficult rumor to answer for nonetheless.
Juan Dixon's Proposal To Robyn
Juan and Robyn Dixon have had a rollercoaster ride of a relationship through the decades they've been together. Despite financial troubles, a divorce, infidelity rumors, and career changes for both of them, Robyn and Juan insisted their sons be raised in a two-parent household - no matter the status of their romance.
All of the criticism for their unique relationship aside, Robyn is the ultimate ride-or-die, which is why it was so exciting when Juan revealed to Gizelle that he was looking to propose again in season 5. Gizelle is probably the worst cast member at keeping a secret, but somehow even she managed to let Juan have the surprise when he finally proposed.
Gizelle Bryant's Fake Reconciliation With Jamal
Gizelle shocked castmates and housewives fans alike when she started dating her ex-husband Jamal again during season five. After all, Gizelle discussed their divorce on previous episodes of Housewives, admitting that Jamal liked to "hide his sausage" throughout their marriage.
The ladies remain vocally skeptical of Jamal's commitment to Gizelle as the season unfolds, but it isn't until the reunion episode that Monique lays it all out in the open. Having dodged infidelity rumors of her own, Monique comes armed with text messages showing Jamal denying his relationship with Gizelle while talking to other women. Gizelle doesn't continue the relationship into season 6, and these revelations are likely why.
Eddie Osefo's Alleged Affair
Wendy and Eddie Osefo managed to avoid the unending scrutiny of the Potomac fanbase for the first season they appeared on the show. With their armor of success surrounding them, the power couple appeared a picture-perfect example of love on a show with its fair share of troubled relationships.
Leave it to messy Gizelle to try to dismantle things; her season 6 Real Housewives tagline is "the secret to this pretty face is staying in the shade" because she knows she's gossipy. She attempts to start a rumor that Eddie has a secret girlfriend on the side, but none of the other castmates take the bait. After more than one potentially marriage-ending rumor spreading on the show, most of the ladies know better than to run with something like this. Instead, Karen goes directly to Wendy with the gossip and lets Wendy lay it to rest herself.