Both Stacey Rusch and TJ Lied During 'RHOP' Season 9

As the wise Tyra Banks once said, "I was rooting for you! We were all rooting for you!" Stacey Rusch almost departed The Real Housewives of Potomac Season 9 as the breakout star of Season 9 of the reality series. Nearly unscathed, save for some dog poo, Stacey Rusch had one of the best freshman season's.

And then the reunion came along and everything turned. Breakups are never easy, but apparently her split with her "close friend" Thomas Anthony "TJ" Jones was anything but amicable. Whether he was hungry for more camera time or simply bitter, TJ Jones knew his time as a Bravolebrity was coming to an end, so he was ready to tear down Stacey with him.

The majority of Stacey's season was spent centered around her slightly strange relationship with TJ. Were they coworkers? Associates? Close friends? Lovers? The title was never defined, and so her fellow Housewives ensured they would get an answer, even if it meant all the piping hot tea burned them in the process.

Much time passed since the end of filming until the reunion, but whatever happened in between created a narrative that neither party could navigate at the reunion. What was once an amicable friendship has turned into career-damaging accusations. But to get to the truth of the matter, one must sift through the lies.

To set the scene, former QVC host Stacey Rusch's entry into The Real Housewives of Potomac came with the eventual inclusion of a man, TJ. It took a few episodes for the mystery man to appear on camera, but when he did, it muddied up the story she was telling.

With personal conflicts involving her separation and her daughter, Arabella, being a factor in her hesitation, the exact distinction of whom TJ was to her was never defined. They weren't friends with benefits because they were not doing the nasty. They appeared to be more than friends with the love and admiration they showed towards one another. At least when the cameras were rolling. Perhaps manufactured affection, their relationship was one of convenience.

Stacey came to the show with a significant other. TJ, a professional actor, got exposure. Now, with the reunion being the official tipping point, the true nature is being called into question. Did Stacey pay TJ to play a part? Is he lying about the entire situation? Did he even like her? From my perspective, if he's a so-called actor, he did a pretty poor job pretending to be head over heels. No matter what, Stacey's entire season has to be reanalyzed with the bold accusations in the ether.

Eddie Osefo Becomes TJ's Surrogate During the 'RHOP' Season 9 Reunion

Once upon a time, Kenya Moore was accused of paying her "boyfriend" Walter Jackson to act as her partner on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. With so much weight placed on spouses, one might understand why Kenya could leap to that decision, but she has stood by it being false accusations. He, however, did not.

Because of the hooplah with Kenya, it was assumed that perhaps Stacey Rusch used the same playbook to establish herself on The Real Housewives of Potomac. As a woman recently separated, undergoing a divorce, the love plot line was not going to be a part of her story. So why not fabricate a little romance with a close pal?

With Karen Huger absent from the gathering and Mia Thornton walking off set and out of the building, the third part of RHOP reunion needed some action. It was time for Stacey to get some heat.

After cameras caught the "completely unplanned and totally not contrived" FaceTime between TJ and Eddie Osefo, the narrative was planted to force Stacey to discuss the allegations that she paid TJ to play the leading role of "Lover #1" on the ninth edition of RHOP. Was there any truth in the allegation? Well, there was only one to find out: "Bring Eddie out!" Hell, even Stacey was in for this fun, even though it was about to completely destroy her in the process.

Now considered to be one of the most iconic moments in any reunion, Andy Cohen received the tape of the conversation Eddie and TJ had. He plopped down on the couch with the ladies to watch. Stacey was befuddled. The women were aghast. Based on an entire season of evidence, TJ claiming Stacey may have paid him to be her boo-thing may not be out of the realm of possibility. 

A ridiculous move, but not the worst thing if both parties are receiving benefits from the situation. Stacey gets a story about being able to move on with her life. TJ gets his name out there. Let's be real. When there's a scene during the season of him FaceTiming while on set in scrubs, TJ's mission is to remind the world that he is a Thespian and is available for booking. Not all actors are calculated but this one is. What bigger platform is there than Bravo and The Real Housewives?

What became a battle of he said-she said, Stacey was forced to address the allegations that TJ made to Eddie via "just so happened to be filmed" occurrence in the greenroom. Maybe there was a cut segment of the partners and spouses from the reunion, but Eddie Osefo was wearing a suit that was meant to be seen at this reunion. Nevertheless, Wendy Osefo stood by her man, going full tilt that he would never lie. But that's not what the issue was. It was a matter of whether TJ was lying. Eddie relayed what TJ said. But he could have been peddling alternative facts. To be fair, we did learn that TJ was invited by production. TJ claimed he was not. So, there's a lie.

Stacey Played the Fool

Stacey deserves some benefit of the doubt, seeing as this was her first reunion, but let's just say her performance was not helping her cause. Perhaps the other women were so bored that they hung on to everything Eddie said as true, but they didn't give Stacey to fully formulate why this accusation was simply farfetched. And yet, that was part of the problem and why she flopped hard. She didn't have any concrete evidence to refute TJ.

She instead floundered and tried to pass off the blame. Now, to be fair, the other women did bash Stacey and TJ's relationship all season long. They were at the forefront of calling into question the validity of it.

How they questioned Stacey all season long was not great. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a vow of celibacy, but TJ and Stacey were mocked for it. Which then led to the old trope that has been nothing but unsavory. 

For TJ's sexuality to be called into question is unfair and unfortunate. But, with a precedent set by those same accusations on RHOA, it was a wrong, but obvious leap. There's no doubt that Stacey had some semblance of feelings toward TJ. Romantic? Not so fast. All season long, her inability to define the status of their relationship became a giant red flag. She is a grown woman who was previously in a marriage acting like a teenage girl in high school unsure if suitor number two is her forever person.

The debacle ended up becoming the bombshell moment RHOP needed to close out its season. It was just embarrassing for all parties involved. Stacey tried too hard to give TJ the benefit of the doubt, but he completely played her. By making her look foolish on stage, she lost her credibility. Why not just call him and nip it in the bud?

Not doing so made her look guilty. Until we see those receipts, proof, timeline, screenshots, TJ and Stacey will forever be feuding over the subject. Stacey is the star of the show, so we want to believe her. TJ is an actor who could be giving a participation trophy-worthy performance. Would Stacey Rusch really be that foolish to pay someone to pose as her lover? We've seen worse! The fan speculation over the entire situation is split. And rightly so.

TJ can easily be seen as a clout chaser. As someone who has worked deep within the world of entertainment, he's displaying those tactics. Stacey may have had an agreement with TJ to film in their early stages of dating, but it simply didn't play out the way they planned. It doesn't mean she had a payment plan. That could just be a bitter man seeking revenge on a powerful woman. At this time, they've used their platforms to double down on their truths. Stacey on Watch What Happens Live, doubling down that she did not pay him. TJ on his Instagram, giving an announcement of an announcement that will probably end up being revealed behind a paywall. We'll be waiting for that "earth-shattering news" Mr. Jones. The popcorn is popping!