Stacey Fires the First Shot: Showdown with Mia and Ashley on Lake Norman!

Season 9 of The Real Housewives of Potomac hit episode 4 on October 27, bringing more tension and drama as the cast embarked on a trip to Lake Norman, North Carolina. Titled Bunking Beds and Butting Heads, the episode saw unresolved tensions bubble to the surface—particularly between Stacey Rusch and Ashley Darby, as well as a new confrontation with Mia Thornton.

Stacey’s Tensions with Ashley Resurface

The episode revisited Stacey’s simmering conflict with Ashley, stemming from Ashley’s previous oversharing about Stacey’s personal life. While the two initially tried to smooth things over, the tension reignited during the trip, setting the stage for yet another squabble.

Karen Hints at Gossip and Drama

At one point, Karen Huger pulled Stacey aside for a chat, expressing her hope that the rest of the cast would warm up to Stacey. However, Karen let slip that someone had labeled Stacey as “boring.” Though Stacey pressed Karen to reveal who made the remark, Karen refused to name names. A flashback soon confirmed it was Mia Thornton, who had told Karen during their car ride to Lake Norman that she found Stacey “uninteresting.”

Mia Admits to Calling Stacey Boring

When Stacey later confronted the group on the boat, Mia owned up to her words, admitting she found Stacey less engaging than the other women. Stacey took the accusation lightly, laughing it off, and explained that she prefers to stay positive—something she felt may have made her seem less entertaining in contrast to the drama-prone group.

Fans React on Social Media

Fans of The Real Housewives of Potomac quickly reacted to the conflict on X (formerly Twitter). Many supported Stacey, calling out Mia for her unkind remark:

“Next time Mia calls you boring, Stacey, just say: If boring means knowing the father of my child, I’ll take that title proudly!”
“There was no reason to call Stacey boring—Mia just being mean for no reason.”
“I’ll take Stacey’s ‘boring’ over Mia’s lies any day!”
Some viewers criticized Karen for not being more direct about Mia’s comment, while others praised Stacey for standing up to the group as a newcomer.

Stacey’s Positivity Amid the Drama

Despite the friction, Karen reassured Stacey that she was far from boring and suggested the group simply needed more time to understand her. On the boat ride, Stacey reinforced this, stating that she wouldn’t let the negative labels bother her. Karen closed the conversation by reminding everyone that Stacey was going through a difficult time but remained a fun person at heart.

New episodes of The Real Housewives of Potomac Season 9 air Sundays at 8 PM ET on Bravo. Stay tuned for more drama as the group dynamics continue to unfold.