This season on The Real Housewives of Potomac, Dr. Wendy Osefo is catching major flak from her castmates, and it's time to explain why they should be nicer to her. The aspiring lifestyle brand entrepreneur and news correspondent has been showing off a brand-new look and attitude this year. The changes are noticeable, inside and out. When it comes to whose gossip is going to carry the season, there is a long history of cast members throwing fresh meat into the Real Housewives frying pan. Wendy is the subject of gossip galore.
Wendy said, "I often put up a brave face, but the truth of the matter is I want my girlfriends to rally around me. I want them to uplift me when I'm feeling weak. But right now I'm really struggling to get that from my circle of friends." Gizelle Bryant, Robyn Dixon, and Ashley Darby insist their criticism is based on true concerns about the personality changes they’ve seen in Wendy.
Many seasoned housewives try to lean out of the drama and keep their personal lives closer to their chests. Karen Huger and Candiace Dillard are thriving at this recently, after past seasons full of fraud allegations and violent clashes. When Gizelle tried to bring up the subject of Wendy’s big changes (including her breast augmentation, wardrobe, and personality shifts), Wendy was quick to question Gizelle’s motives. Gizelle and Ashley seemed to be poking "Zen Wen" Wendy from RHOP to get her to speak about the cheating allegations against her husband on RHOP. Candiace also noted, “first of all if we are going to judge anybody’s fashions, Gizelle would be sentenced to life in prison.” Gizelle has been criticized for "pretty face syndrome," when one's beauty leads to ignorance about personal style.
Dr. Wendy Osefo Is Evolving
Newcomer Mia Thornton decided to get involved by questioning Wendy’s new looks, which are probably the strongest modern fashion game the Potomac set has ever seen. However, all her castmates seemed to notice is that she’s showing a little more skin. Mia has spoken up several times already, and the RHOP star's comments were unwarranted. The choice to criticize a women’s sexuality and appearance came off as hypocritical, as Mia formerly admitted to working as an escort. Candiace said in her interview, “girl you were a lady of the night, period.” Wendy cemented, "I just find it rich the commentary coming from you,” shutting down Mia’s criticism.
Dr. Wendy Osefo Has Called Out Her Castmates
There have also been allegations of colorism from Wendy against some of her castmates, as of last year's reunion. The harsh reality of Wendy’s claims on the show and out in the world makes Gizelle, Robyn, Mia, and Ashley’s attempts to unpack her drama in front of cameras even more uncomfortable. Wendy clarified that plenty of the other women had drama off-camera that she could dig into on RHOP if she chose to. Wendy said, “if you want to go, we can get it poppin.” Then, she discussed Gizelle’s choice to reunite with her seemingly unfaithful ex-husband Jamal Bryant and the effect this might have on her daughters.
After the astounding leadership skills that Wendy showed last season, the attacks on her come off as unfair, to say the least. While there are notable shifts in her character, and Gizelle, Robyn, and Ashley from RHOP might have good intentions, they will need to take a step back. They should figure out how to soften their approaches and questions and criticize with love. Wendy certainly seems willing to be receptive to her castmates when they come to her with kind spirits. Unless things change, the rest of The Real Housewives of Potomac season will come off as “hella judgmental,” as Wendy felt episode seven was.