The three-part Season 9 reunion for The Real Housewives of Potomac is underway, and the Grand Dame had an emotional statement for castmates and fans.
Karen Huger’s absence was previously teased in the reunion trailer, and when asked by the Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen host, the Housewives said they hadn’t seen her since the holiday season. That was about the time the courts found Karen guilty of driving under the influence and seven out of eight traffic-related charges stemming from her March 19, 2024 single-car collision.
On December 20, 2024, just 12 hours after the conviction, RHOP cameras were back up and rolling to capture what Karen had to say.
Karen Huger reacts to her conviction
Karen said her “heart dropped” upon learning about the guilty verdict.
“This is very frightening, but I accept full responsibility for everything with my car accident,” Karen told producers.
But, as Karen tearfully said, the ordeal has had a large ripple effect.
“I don’t care about me right now,” Karen cried. “I care about my children; I care about my family. They’re so hurt.”
Karen also emphasized others shouldn't repeat her mistakes.
“Let’s be clear,” she said. “I know a lot of young children look up to me, call me Auntie Karen, Grand Dame … Do as I say, not as I do.”
Why wasn’t Karen at the reunion?
As Karen’s team previously explained, Karen opted to check herself into a private recovery program. She elaborated in a pre-taped video from December 27, 2024, which was played at the reunion, claiming she wanted “to address taking antidepressants and drinking.”
The other Housewives, including Gizelle Bryant, Mia Thornton, Wendy Osefo, Ashley Darby, Stacey Rusch, and Keiarna Stewart, were unaware of Karen’s decision but expressed their complete and heartfelt support.
“I think that’s fantastic,” Gizelle said. “As much as we feel she lives in a land of delusion, and sometimes we think that’s funny and cute, in this particular case, it’s not.”
Karen’s sentencing was scheduled for January 29, 2025; however, the date has been moved to Wednesday, February 26, 2025, according to Us Weekly.
Karen’s message to the other Housewives
In Karen’s never-before-seen reunion message, she said she “wanted to get to the bottom” of her interactions with substances. But first, she wanted to acknowledge those who’d “touched [her] heart” along the journey, beginning with Gizelle.
Gizelle couldn’t contain her tears as Karen delivered her message, which addressed a personal note she had been given that read, “One step at a time.”
“You make me very proud of our friendship outside of this show,” Karen said. “You’re the real deal.”
Karen proceeded to thank Keiarna by saying, “K, you came through, and you always said that Karen’s gonna handle this … I’m handling it, K.” She also gave a shoutout to former Housewife Candiace Dillard Bassett for reaching out and being “a soldier.”
Karen continued to give a special thank you to Andy, whose notes to her “were always on time.” And while she joked that Andy and Gizelle could fight over who nicknamed her The Grand Dame, she had no intentions of returning as such.
“I plan to be coming back as Karen Huger only,” she said. “’Cause Karen is enough.”
