Stacey Rusch is in the hot seat.
The Real Housewives of Potomac newbie came under fire during the Bravo series’ season nine reunion amid ongoing rumors about the truth behind her relationship with ex-boyfriend TJ Jones.
But it wasn’t a Housewife who was responsible for suggesting that Stacey’s romance with the actor was fabricated. It was Wendy Osefo‘s husband Eddie Osefo who who sent a pivotal text to his wife of 13 years from backstage after learning some explosive new info.
“Eddie actually FaceTimed with TJ to see why he wasn’t here,” Wendy announced to the cast during the March 2 episode. “And TJ let Eddie know that you actually paid him to be your love interest this season. And TJ also told Eddie that you told him not to come. And TJ also said run him his money, because the money is not adding up.”
After gasps from the cast and host Andy Cohen, Wendy added, “She hired TJ, she paid him some money and still owes him a lot of money.”
However, amid outrage from her fellow castmembers, Stacey denied the shocking allegations.
“Let me say this right now: I absolutely do not believe anything that you are saying,” the former QVC host declared. “TJ would never say that.”
To which Wendy assured her, “It’s on camera. They’re gonna run it, baby.”
And after checking with producers through his earpiece, Andy confirmed the footage that was just shot backstage did exist.
Stacey stood firm in her denial and even refused to call TJ—whom she claimed to have dated for several months last year—to get his side of the story.
“Why would I entertain a lie? It’s a lie,” she insisted before telling Wendy, “I don’t believe you. I don’t believe Eddie.”
However, Andy subsequently brought Eddie out to detail the phone call.
“Initially why I called him was because the men were here and we were looking for him,” Eddie told Stacey. “He said, ‘I wasn’t invited.’ He just sounded like he was a little upset, but he also sounded like he was tired of the narrative that was being painted of him, this flamboyant person. He was just tired of being played with. And he said she owes him money.”
Stacey’s response?
“I don’t owe him any money,” she insisted. “I don’t even understand in what capacity I could owe him anything. I ended our relationship because of the pressure, so I can understand him being upset about that. But I can’t imagine that he would say those things, because they just aren’t true.”
After previously making it clear she wasn’t buying Stacey’s story, Gizelle Bryant doubled down with, “Nobody here believes you. And the world will not believe you either.”
It was then that Andy finally showed Stacey the footage proving Eddie was telling the truth about his call with TJ.
But despite it all, Stacey stood her ground.
“It is one thing to see someone disrespect you and make you question your relationship,” she told her annoyed costars. “Now, to see this, it’s so hurtful. That’s all I can say. I just can’t imagine him saying that. I absolutely heard him say that and I can’t believe someone who prides themself on being a man of god and being honest and someone who I would think loves me even though we’re not together, to say that. I’ve never paid TJ a dime.”
“You all had doubts about TJ and you all talked so poorly of him,” the Bravolebrity continued, “and now, when it’s a little salacious for you or you feel like you’re gonna say something hurtful to hurt me, now you’re literally believing this man over me and you know me.”
Catch up on The Real Housewives of Potomac any time on Peacock.
And keep reading to see where Stacey falls on E!’s official ranking of every Housewife ever.
164-167. The Real Housewives of D.C.
Bravo’s ill-fated attempt at highlighting our nation’s capital brought together four women so forgettable you’d be forgiven for erasing them from your memory—though their names are Mary Amons, Lynda Erkiletian, Cat Ommanney and Stacie Scott Turner—and one so desperate for fame that she gate-crashed a party at the White House. More on her later.
163. Kimberly Bryant, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Who?
162. Tammy Knickerbocker, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Vaguely familiar, but…
161. DeShawn Snow, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Once upon a time, DeShawn starred on the same TV show as NeNe Leakes. Surprising, we know.
160. Elizabeth Lyn Vargas, The Real Housewives of Orange County
This one-season Housewife brought nothing to the Orange County table.
159. Jennie Nguyen, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
Utah’s newest season two Housewife went out with a bang (and not in a good way). In January 2022, Jennie was fired after “offensive” and racially insensitive old Facebook posts resurfaced online. Jennie later apologized but the damage was done.
158. Quinn Fry, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Her defining trait was “cougar.”
157. Jen Armstrong, The Real Housewives of Orange County
The Orange County doctor was never a source of drama during season 16 and her brief marriage troubles with eternally shirtless husband Ryne (or Ryan?) were less than riveting. However, we will never forget Dr. Jen getting absolutely wasted on wine during the Dubrows’ insanely awkward—yet wildly entertaining—dinner party.
156: Annemarie Wiley, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
The nurse anesthetist’s flop first season can be summed up in one cringe-worthy word we hope we never hear again: Esophagus-gate.
155. Katie Rost, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Katie loved to talk about her charity work, but…didn’t do much else on screen. She was one and done, only to come back and not contribute much as a friend. Leaving the cast trip early? A Housewives no-no.
154. Charrisse Jackson Jordan, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Her marriage problems were on full display the two seasons she was a full-time Housewife…that and her champagne room are the two memorable things about Charrisse.
153. Shamari DeVoe, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
A one-and-done Housewife, Shamari was at least fun?
152. Peggy Sulahian, The Real Housewives of Orange County
While it was nice to see some diversity in the lily-white O.C., Peggy ultimately proved to be a frustrating presence in season 12. The fights she chose to pick were bizarre, and often involving someone using a word she simply didn’t understand, and her decision to simply hide out in her room for an entire day during the trip to Iceland proved that she wasn’t really cut out for this Real Housewives life.
151. Nneka Ihim, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Instead of bonding with fellow Nigerian costar Wendy Osefo during season eight, Nneka’s first season storyline centered entirely around her allegedly accusing Wendy’s mom of being a witch (yes, seriously). We wish we could have seen the two bond over their shared culture rather than fighting with no resolve.
150. Noella Bergener, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Noella spun through season 16 like a tornado of frantic energy. While her personal struggles were somewhat compelling (her husband James up and left the country and asked for a divorce right before filming started), it was her constant drama with queen bee Heather Dubrow that helped her not land completely at the bottom of the list. Maybe with more time and another season, we’ll warm up to Mrs. Bergener.
149. Siggy Flicker, The Real Housewives of New Jersey
From peacekeeper in her first season to unrelenting complaints about a thrown cake and unfounded claims of anti-Semitism in her second (and last) season, we’re not sure we’ve ever seen a quicker Real Housewives fall from grace than this one.
148. Amber Marchese, RHONJ
Everything Amber and her husband Jim did seemed to reek of desperation. Plus, he was involved in more of the drama than she was. Not a good look.
147. Karent Sierra, The Real Housewives of Miami
All we remember about Karent is that she was a dentist and none of her co-stars seemed to like her at all. Next!
146. Cristy Rice,The Real Housewives of Miami
This was a real person with a show on Bravo. We promise.
145. Jules Wainstein, The Real Housewives of New York City
As one of RHONY‘s more recent one-and-dones, Jules’ tenure was too brief to rank any higher. However, she sure did deliver her fair share of drama.
143-144. Teresa Aprea and Nicole Napolitano, RHONJ
So unnecessary they couldn’t even get individual taglines.
142. Nina Ali, The Real Housewives of Dubai
Much like co-star Sara Al Madani, Nina exemplified a multidimensional, successful Arab woman who is blending modern life with centuries-old cultural traditions. She avoided most of the season one drama and was sometimes overshadowed by her co-stars’ bigger, louder personalities.
141. Taleen Marie, The Real Housewives of Dubai
Taleen was a nice addition to RHODubai‘s sophomore season, but we only have one season to judge her on.
140. Eva Marcille, RHOA
The America’s Next Top Model veteran picked up a peach for seasons 11 and 12, but never really made an impression in the world of RHOA, aside from being pregnant for what felt like her entire tenure. Points for that epic read of Marlo Hampton while in Tokyo, though.
139. Katie Ginella, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Per usual, we typically need to see more than one season to place a first-time Housewife higher on our list. But Katie came in swinging during RHOC‘s 18th season, immediately going up against veteran Housewife Heather Dubrow. It takes a brave woman to call B.S. on Ms. Fancypants.
138. Stephanie Shojaee, The Real Housewives of Miami
We’ll be honest: Stephanie is not our cup of tea. While her vast wealth had the makings of a great Housewife, the fact that she continuously used her private jet as leverage to hold power over her new costars during season seven left an icky raste in our mouth.
Maybe Steph can redeem herself if she returns for season eight.
137. Sara Al Madani, The Real Housewives of Dubai
Sara’s positive, enlightened outlook on life was certainly pleasant, but didn’t provide for much drama (besides that one time she offered co-star Caroline Brooks some not-so-well received parenting advice). However, the tech entrepreneur shattered stereotypes of what it means to be a modern Muslim woman in the Middle East and for that we applaud her.
135-136. Rachel Fuda & Danielle Cabral, The Real Housewives of New Jersey
RHONJ‘s season 13 newbies certainly fit the mold of your typical Garden State Housewife and quickly found themselves in a season-long fight over literally nothing that Andy Cohen deemed pointless at the reunion. The former friends unfortunately didn’t bring much more substance during season 14.
134. Larsa Pippen, The Real Housewives of Miami
Larsa didn’t make a big impression on season one before leaving the series. When Peacock revived RHOM for season four in 2021, her whole storyline was about being the ex-BFF of Kim Kardashian. (and selling sexy feet pics on OnlyFans…)
133. Ana Quincoces, The Real Housewives of Miami
Ana followed up her one season as a Bravolebrity by competing on season 12 of Next Food Network Star in 2016. She didn’t make it there, either.
(E!, Bravo and Peacock are all part of the NBCUniversal family)
