Robyn Dixon may have tried to stay out of some of the drama during the first season of “The Real Housewives of Potomac”, but based on what we have seen already during Season Two, Robyn is definitely jumping into the fray with her fellow “Housewives”. I sat down to chat with Robyn about the differences between Season One and Two, what it’s like having new Housewife Monique Samuels join the cast, and what she thinks the fascination is with her relationship with ex-husband Juan Dixon.
You ladies have definitely had a drama packed season so far. What made you join the ladies again for another season of “The Real Housewives of Potomac”? I had a lot of fun the first season to be honest. I never envisioned myself in this position whatsoever. I never watched the shows wanting to actually be on them, but when the opportunity came up, I thought, hey why not you only live once. I’ll take a stab at it and have fun with it. Season One I did have fun with it, and for Season Two we were all blessed to be invited back and I jumped at the chance. Season One was like a tease, it was like an introduction, and for Season Two, we peel back a lot of the layers on both our relationships with each other and with our lives. Season Two we definitely had to give more; it’s not an easy job, it’s very challenging to be “yourself” and give so much of yourself, and also hope the viewers appreciate you are doing that. It’s not easy to live your life in front of cameras.
Does it feel like you are a true official Bravo “Housewife” now? Oh yeah it does! For Season One, we had no idea what we were filming, we just knew that we were filming a show for Bravo. I think the pressure and the expectations were not there that much. We were also just so green and now looking back at the filming of Season One, we may think we would have been more opinionated or more open. Definitely now, with Season Two knowing that we were chosen and blessed with the “Real Housewives” franchise and title, we were so grateful that we were actual Bravo-approved “Real Housewives”, we went into Season Two, we gotta step it up. We have to live up to the expectations of the franchise and I think we really did that this year.
Your relationship with your ex-husband Juan is very unique to both your show and the franchise in general. Is it hard putting such a unique relationship on television for everyone to judge? You know what, it is, because for me, it’s not unique at all. That is my life. I get it, we have been in each other’s lives for over twenty years now and have two beautiful children that are the number one priority in our lives. Our lives are so intertwined that it just makes sense to me. I know why I do what I am doing ,so for people to be so perplexed by what I am doing is just so interesting to me. If you put yourself in my shoes, than maybe you would understand why we are where we are and why we do what we do. I can honestly say that exploring that and really opening up about that during Season Two was not easy at all. I just did it and I never had to explain myself to anyone; now having to stop and really explain it and talk to my friends about it, it was a really big challenge.
Speaking of challenges, you did lose a Housewife, but you gained a fiery new one with Monique Samuels joining the cast. How smooth is the transition? I can honestly say that Katie and I definitely were not friends. (laughs). I do miss her though, and I do want the best for everyone. I was sorry that she did not come back, I really don’t know the reason, that is between her and the network. It is unfortunate that she could not join us on the journey again. We all really want the best for everyone and for everyone to be successful. One person does not make a show; everyone kind of has a role, Katie included. Her not being there in her role was missed, but we also are blessed to have Monique join us. Monique is a beautiful person and a lovely spirit. She has a lot of energy and sometimes she would get on my nerves talking to much (laughs). She is really great though!
You guys hit up the Blue Moon in Rehoboth Beach, DE last year and partied it up with the boys! What was your inaugural trip with the ladies like? We had a blast there! Sometimes we really don’t know what to expect and we just kind of roll with it. Rehoboth was fun, although I was not the one turning up my nose at people (laughs). It was too bad the guys did not know what we were filming though, they would have loved us even more!
If the Robyn of today could give the Robyn that walked in the first day of filming some advice, what do you think it would be? I would tell her that what I am thinking in my head is exactly what I should say. I am typically somewhat sensitive to people’s feelings and egos, and I really don’t hold on to things and move on quickly. Going into Season One, I could have been a little more opinionated and care a little more about what people were saying. In a situation where I see these people a lot, I definitely need to speak up more. At the reunion for example, it was enough and I see people for what they are; you try to give the benefit of the doubt, but when they constantly show who they are, you have to set them straight.
“The Real Housewives of Potomac” airs on Bravo, Sunday night 9/8c