Fans of “The Real Housewives of Potomac” were confused when Gizelle Bryant made claims about Candiace Dillard Bassett’s departure from the Bravo series.
During this week’s episode of “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th,” Candiace returned to the franchise. This was her first appearance on the franchise since she left after season eight of “RHOP.”
When speaking about her former co-star in a confessional, Gizelle claimed she hadn’t seen Candiace since she was “fired” from the show.
According to Candiace, she left “RHOP” to focus on her family so fans were left confused about what really happened…
Was Candiace Dillard Bassett Fired From ‘RHOP’?
BravoGizelle’s confessional comment led fans of “RHOP” to question whether Candiace was actually fired or not, as she claimed she left the show on her own terms.
In March 2024, People reported on Candiace’s departure from the Bravo reality series. The outlet confirmed via a production source that “Dillard Bassett made the choice to leave the franchise on her own.”
“As I embark on a new chapter after six remarkable years with The Real Housewives of Potomac, I am filled with gratitude for the enriching friendships, personal growth and moments of introspection that have defined this journey,” she said at the time. “With a whirlwind of new opportunities and responsibilities on my plate, I have decided to take a break from “RHOP”.”
“This is not a farewell, but a ‘see you later,’” she added. “Your unwavering support has been my guiding light, and I look forward to the exciting adventures that lie ahead – and more importantly, sharing them all with you!”
During an appearance on the “Healed Girl Era” podcast last year, Candiace explained she decided to walk away from the series after learning she was pregnant. “There wasn’t even a thought in my mind. It was like, ‘Well, we’re gonna step away,’” she said, per Reality Tea.
Andy Cohen also said Candiace’s pregnancy was the reason she quit “RHOP”. In 2024, on his radio show, SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live, he said: “[I’m] very happy for Candiace’s pregnancy news. […] When we talked about her leaving the show, she confided that she was pregnant, and I was so excited, and I just think it’s great. It’s great. I’m very happy for them. This is wonderful.”
Candiace welcomed her son Jett Maxwell Lee Bassett in November 2024. . “Chris and I couldn’t be happier. It’s so cliché to say, but he’s brought such joy to our lives in ways I never would have been able to describe before. It’s pure love!” she told People at the time.
Fans Confused If Candiace Was Fired From ‘RHOP’
GettyGizelle’s comments contradicted Candiace’s, sparking a fan discussion on X.
One wrote, “So Candiace did get fired?? I thought y’all said she left on her own.” While another confused Bravo fan commented, “Why did she get fired? I thought she didn’t come back cause she decided to spend her pregnancy in peace. Someone, please explain.”
“When housewives are fired, the network always tells them they can say whatever they want,” someone else wrote on social media. “If they don’t want to say they were fired, Bravo won’t contradict them if they say they left to pursue other things or spend time with family.”
But they were also quick to defend Candiace and theorized this was another way of Gizelle getting a dig in at her former co-star.
“After 10 seasons of exaggerations, embellishments and lies that even Gizelle herself has admitted to. Y’all are still in the business of believing anything that comes out of that woman’s mouth, especially in regards to someone she dislikes?” another X user added.
Another user called out Gizelle and defended Candiace, “She is a hater! I’ve seen Candiace [doing] many things since the show… Traitors, for one, and she was pregnant and had a great storyline going for her if she did choose to return. She was not fired. She wanted peace during her pregnancy & she doesn’t need the show financially.”
