It is difficult for a newcomer to join a cast as close-knit as that of The Real Housewives of Potomacwhich is in its ninth season, but Stacey Rusch makes it look easy. The charismatic and glamorous TV host is going through a period of transition in her life and career. Most recently at QVC, Rusch, who is in the midst of an amicable divorce, has returned to the DMV to focus on her wonderful daughter, Arabella. “Co-parenting is going really well,” Rusch reported. “My marriage, unfortunately, was broken, but my family was not. »

It was an “easy decision” for Rusch to join the hit Bravo franchise. “I knew a lot of women socially,” Rusch said. “I just thought it would be such an interesting way to get to know a group of amazing women.” Rusch admits that establishing a friendship with Gizelle Bryant— who Rusch hailed as a “strong mother” — has been a “roller coaster” ride and one she’s still trying to understand their dynamic. “As a new friend, she’s a hard shell to break.” Mia Thornton may have called it “boring,” but Rusch didn’t take it personally. “Everyone is boring compared to Mia. She lives the most colorful life in America.

Rusch has a weakness for the Grande Dame Karen Huger even though she faces a DUI charge and several other citations. “These ladies are really coming for Karen,” Rusch said. “She’s been like Wonder Woman with the bracelets in terms of standing up for herself and defending her actions in the best way possible.” Although Huger is unable to speak about her ongoing trial, Rusch said it was “a little uncomfortable” for her to watch the other women question and provoke Huger. Unsurprisingly, Rusch thinks Huger will have the most to answer for in the show’s upcoming reunion. “We’re all looking forward to seeing how things develop in terms of the courts’ decision and his case,” Huger said. “Will we see Karen vindicated or perhaps humiliated? We’ll see.

Rusch stopped by the DECIDER studio to talk about the current season, her relationship with Thomas “TJ” Jones, the trip to Lake Norman, and more.

DECISION-MAKER: Was it an easy decision to join the Ladies of Potomac for Season 9?

STACEY RUSCH: It was an easy decision for me. I knew a lot of women socially, and I just thought it would be a really interesting way to get to know a group of amazing women and also share a little bit about myself and my situation in life. I jumped up and went for it. I’m really glad I did it.

“I know how to host a show and steal one too” is your tagline for the season. Was this your first choice?

We had a lot of choices (laughs), but this was my favorite. Coming from a QVC background and hosting TV shows for so many years, I thought it was perfect for me. I love him.

Had you watched the show before joining? In some of your confessionals it becomes clear that you don’t know much about some of these women, but not in a bad way!

(Laughs) I watched the show when it first aired when I lived in the DMV. I was intrigued, but I gave up a little later because, you know, life happens. Honestly, I really didn’t want to have pre-formed opinions about everyone. I love the process of getting to know someone. I forced myself to know a little more about the actors, but I didn’t want to know too much so I could get to know each woman individually and let our friendship develop organically.

I really enjoy getting to know you as a person, but also as a mom. How special is it to share your incredible relationship with Arabella with the world?

I love it so much. She is my one and only, my everything, the light of my life. I’m really proud to not only share myself on The Real Housewives of Potomacbut also to share my pride and joy with the world. I am so proud of this incredible little monster and the woman I know she will become. Every time she goes on camera, every time I see a scene with her, my heart melts. I love it so much. I hope I return for many seasons and return when Arabella was so little.

Like Gizelle was able to do with her daughters.

All his girls are so gorgeous, aren’t they? She can rewatch the show and see her daughters when they were so young. Now they’re graduating, and she’s an empty nester. It must be a sweet experience.

I love that you and your ex-husband put Arabella first. How is co-parenting going?

Co-parenting is going really well. I’ve said this before, but my marriage, unfortunately, was broken, but not my family. I have a wonderful partner and a fantastic father. We work together amicably and everything is fine. Arabella is fine. She is very aware that we are on the verge of divorce, but she is also very aware that she is loved and that the support she receives from both of us will never change. She’s good.

We also get to know your bond with your “special friend,” TJ. What has he been like as a partner throughout this process?

He’s great. He’s one of the best people I know. He was so supportive. It’s a fun and wild adventure, but it’s emotionally taxing at times. TJ is such a great partner. I’m really happy with where we are. Who doesn’t want to have a man like that to live together? I have this right now. Wherever we go is fine with me.

The ladies seem surprised that you two are waiting until marriage to be intimate. How does TJ handle heat from your co-stars?

TJ is very confident in himself, in his values ​​and in his faith. When you put these three things together, it doesn’t really matter what other people say. Look, we understand. We know that this is not the usual way most people approach new relationships in 2024. However, it is our choice. It’s not my place to defend my relationship or defend the boundaries of my relationship. I am happy where I am. People will say what they want. I can’t be affected.

You seem to be off to a good start with all the ladies except maybe Gizelle. She kicked you out of her charity event for arriving a few minutes late.

Yeah, it was a very strange way to start a friendship. I’ve never had someone I just knew kick me out of their party. How did the rest of the season go with Gizelle? I really like Gizelle for who she is. She is a strong mother. We were talking about just that. She means a lot to all women. She’s a great friend. But as a new friend, she’s a tough shell to break. I still don’t know if we’re friends. If you asked me, I couldn’t tell you. I’ve enjoyed the roller coaster of getting to know Gizelle, but I’m still not sure where we stand.

Well, you have great energy. Few women would have handled the bunk bed situation in Lake Norman the way you did.

I always wanted to have bunk beds. Who didn’t want to grow up with bunk beds? For example, if we’re going on a girls’ trip, let’s do it. Let’s do masks, drink champagne, watch movies and sleep together in bunk beds. I didn’t have to live there, for God’s sake. I just had to sleep there for a few nights. So, I was really excited. I have a big old bed at home. I don’t have a bunk bed.

How did your first casting go? I can’t imagine what you were thinking during that first breakfast…

No, I really thought I was going to have breakfast. I didn’t know I had to put boxing gloves and vaseline under my eyes. My goodness, it was lit and poppin. I didn’t expect that. But I’m learning as a beginner. Apparently that’s what’s happening. Tensions were high that morning.

Karen then said, “If you ever need to defend yourself, fight fire with fire. » Do you believe this to be true?

In Karen’s case, this is true because, as we have seen, these ladies are really coming for Karen. She’s been like Wonder Woman with the bracelets in terms of standing up for herself and defending her actions in the best way possible.

RIGHT. What is your approach to conflict?

I’m not someone who fights fire with fire. I fight fire with joy and positivity. I defend who I am. I’m still in the lead because of that. I have God on my side.

It would be nice if the ladies could give Karen a little break.

Yeah. As soon as we walked into this beautiful house on Lake Norman, they were right on top of it. It was a little uncomfortable for me.

Well, speaking of getting to Lake Norman, Mia was throwing some shade at you in the car and calling you boring. What is your response to this?

Everyone is boring compared to Mia. Are you kidding? She leads the most colorful life in America (laughs). I think Mia and I were just getting to know each other. I am very comfortable in my skin, I lead and live my life out loud. But I’m not like Mia who just goes for it. At first, she found me quite measured and a little cautious because I was learning group dynamics. So she found it boring. It’s good because as she got to know me and I got to know her, we became friends. You can’t be mad if someone calls you something when they don’t know you. It was almost like she was talking about someone else because clearly, I’m not boring.

Ashley Darby recently said that Mia would have the most to answer at the reunion. Do you agree or disagree?

I don’t agree. I think Karen will have the most to answer for at the reunion. We are all looking forward to how things will play out regarding his trial. Will we see Karen vindicated or will she be humiliated? I don’t know. We’ll see.

Before we let you go, what can you tell us about the rest of the season?

What can I tease? I think if you enjoy the Lake Norman adventure, wait until you join us on our international trip. Things are going to catch fire. Lake Norman is just the beginning.

New episodes of The Real Housewives of Potomac airs Sunday nights at 8/7c on Bravo