Real Housewives of Potomac has seen its fair share of cast member departures, leaving lasting impressions on both the show and its viewers. Two notable exits include Monique Samuels and Katie Rost, who left the series under different circumstances.
Monique Samuels, who joined the show in 2017, bid farewell after a physical altercation with her co-star Candiace Dillard-Bassett during Season 5. What started as a miscommunication quickly escalated, leading to Monique grabbing Candiace by the hair and pulling her down. In a subsequent episode, Monique attempted to continue the argument with Candiace, displaying the gravity of the situation.
Monique took the incident seriously, reflecting on her actions and recognizing the need to examine her triggers. As a mother of three and a businesswoman, she understood the consequences of engaging in physical altercations. Monique was charged with second-degree assault but later filed a counterclaim against Candiace. Ultimately, both assault charges were dismissed in December 2020.
Following her appearance in the Season 5 reunion, Monique made the decision to leave RHOP. In an Instagram video, she expressed gratitude to her supporters but emphasized that certain lines had been crossed, making a return impossible. Monique aimed to represent real Black love and challenge stereotypes, but she believed her actions during that season played into those negative stereotypes, which she sought to avoid.
While Monique’s departure seemed permanent, her former co-star Katie Rost has made occasional cameos on the show since her initial departure. After appearing as a full-time cast member in the first season, Katie’s role was reduced, and she did not participate in Season 3. She returned briefly as a “friend” of the cast in Season 4 but claimed she was not invited to the reunion.
In April 2022, Katie posted an apology on her Instagram account, which has since been deleted. She expressed remorse for past statements made about Andy Cohen, the show’s executive producer, and expressed her desire to return to RHOP, vowing to behave appropriately. Katie acknowledged her previous temper tantrums and declared her intentions to work on her behavior.
Most recently, Katie made a brief appearance during Season 7 in October 2022, surprising viewers with her cameo on the show.
These departures and intermittent appearances of cast members like Monique Samuels and Katie Rost have undoubtedly left a lasting impression on the Real Housewives of Potomac series, keeping fans engaged and intrigued by the ever-evolving dynamics of the show.
