Karen Huger broke her social media silence after returning from prison and BravoCon 2025.
“Thank you @nbcuniversal and @bravotv for the incredibly warm and welcoming energy. My heart is full.
A heartfelt thank you to my team,” the “Real Housewives of Potomac” star captioned several photos of her first look of the weekend on Instagram.
She went on to thank Charles Elliott Harbison, the creator of Harbison Studio, for “thoughtfully [crafting] the first of [her] three looks for this return.”
“He understood my vision, honored my light, and helped shape a moment that feels both fresh and deeply aligned,” she continued. “I’m truly grateful to have his artistry and his brand part of my new chapter.”
The Grande Dame, 62, also took to her Instagram Stories to show appreciation for her fans.
“And to the #RHOP fans, I love you!!! Thank you for your endless support,” she captioned a video of her fans cheering. “I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without your support. Thank you, sincerely.”
On Friday, Huger made her return to “RHOP” in the reality show’s midseason teaser, which debuted at BravoCon, as she sat down with Andy Cohen at her Potomac, Md., mansion.
“Here we are. You are a free woman,” Cohen said at the end of the trailer, referring to her September release from the Montgomery County Detention Center over a March 2024 DUI-related car accident.
“Time to talk about my addiction,” Huger replied. The full interview is set to air during the Season 10 finale.
Speaking to Page Six during BravoCon, Cohen broke down the details of Huger’s return, revealing that the interview took place “a couple of days after she was released.”
“I went to her home in the dead of night after ‘Watch What Happens Live,’” he further told Evan Real and Danny Murphy on Friday. “I just kind of snuck into Potomac and snuck right back out.”
The Bravo honcho admitted that the interview was very “emotional,” adding, “I heard things from Karen that I have never heard before.”
Huger was found guilty of driving under the influence in December 2024, following a high-speed March 2024 car crash that totaled her Maserati.
Police body cam footage showed her admitting to being “drunk” after the collision, and during an inebriated interrogation, calling herself Thomas Jefferson’s “concubine.”
She served 6 months in the facility before her September release.
On the final day of BravoCon, during an “Ask Andy” panel, “Real Housewives” executive producer Andy Cohen announced the official cast for “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island,” the latest entry in Bravo’s mega-franchise. Cohen also confirmed that a new season of “The Real Housewives of New York City” has been cast, and will begin filming soon. Cohen declined to name who will appear in Season 16, but it’s safe to say that BravoCon attendees Erin Lichy, Sai De Silva and Jessel Taank will be among them. Brynn Whitfield and Ubah Hassan, whose toxic fight poisoned the already weak 15th season, have already announced their departures (which were foregone conclusions).
Cohen also expressed confidence that “The Real Housewives of New Jersey,” currently on pause, will come back eventually.
With “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island,” as has been rumored — since they’ve both been spotted filming — former “Bachelor” and “Bachelor in Paradise” contestant Ashley Iaconetti is one of the show’s fulltime cast members, and Dolores Catania of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” (who was also one of the winners of Season 3 of “The Traitors”) is a “friend” of the cast. (Official bios of the full cast are included below.)
Iaconetti’s casting is the first time a Bachelor Nation star has crossed over to “The Real Housewives.” Iaconetti, an influencer, co-hosts the “Almost Famous” podcast with ex-Bachelor Ben Higgins. She appeared on Chris Soules’ season of “The Bachelor” in 2015, and later married her “Bachelor in Paradise” castmate Jared Haibon. (They have two children.)
And she’s new to Rhode Island, the show’s trailer emphasizes. It’s Iaconetti’s voice that kicks it off, serving as our guide. “In Rhode Island, everyone knows everyone,” she says over crashing waves and drone shots of huge mansions. “People here don’t look down on other states. But they are weirded out that other states exist.”
As for Catania, she’s introduced to the show in relation to her lookalike friend, Liz. With “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” currently paused, Catania has moved to more fertile pastures, and her cast bio reads: “Rhode Island captured Dolores’s
Here’s its official logline: “They may live in the smallest state in the country, but their drama? Extra large. As “The Real Housewives” hits its milestone 20th anniversary next year, Bravo is expanding the distinguished franchise with “The Real Housewives of Rhode Island,” spotlighting a fresh, charismatic group of women whose lives intertwine across the storied coastline of New England luxury. “
“The Real Housewives of Rhode Island” will premiere next year.
Alicia Carmody
Rhode Island to the core, Alicia isn’t shy about her roots — just wait until you hear her say “cracker.” After eight years of engagement to fiancé Billy Kitsilis, this “Runaway Bride” still isn’t ready to take the plunge — even for their daughter, Celina. When she’s not dodging wedding bells, Alicia helps Billy run his restaurant, Pizza Mamma, proving she can handle the heat both in and out of the kitchen.
Rosie DiMare
A former local television news anchor, Rosie now shines as the host of her own lifestyle program and as a sought-after DJ. Recently celebrating her first wedding anniversary with husband Rich DiMare, a well-known Frank Sinatra style singer — Rosie calls North Kingstown home, where the couple lives with their dog, Clementine.
Ashley Iaconetti
After finding love with her now-husband — and Warwick, Rhode Island native — Jared Haibon on “Bachelor in Paradise,” Ashley has traded rose ceremonies for real life as a proud mom to two boys, Dawson and Hayden. While Jared manages their beloved coffee shop, Ashley has built a thriving career as a social media powerhouse, all while acclimating her new life in her husband’s home state.
Rulla Nehme Pontarelli
Rulla helms a financial empire as a Certified Financial Planner and Wealth Manager to some of the East Coast’s most distinguished families. Rulla is married to prominent Rhode Island podiatrist, Brian, and together they juggle life with their two young children, Luca and Laila.
Kelsey Swanson
Former Miss Rhode Island, Kelsey,keeps a full plate as one of the state’s top makeup artists. Kelsey has been in a 10-year relationship with one of Rhode Island’s most notable figures, enjoying the lap of luxury while keeping her social calendar full.
Jo-Ellen Tiberi
Self-proclaimed town gossip, Jo-Ellen, knows everyone and everything worth knowing in Cranston. As one of the top aesthetic practice development managers in the country, she juggles a busy career with family life alongside her high school sweetheart and husband, Gary, and their three kids — Gian, Jolie, and Gia.