Real Housewives of Potomac newbie Stacey Rusch’s relationship with TJ Jones was a major storyline in her debut year. It was presented as her first relationship after she split from her husband. But all season long, RHOP viewers found the best friends’ dynamic odd. As Andy Cohen pointed out at the reunion, there were many comparisons to Kenya Moore and Walter Jackson.
In the Season 9 reunion trailer, Eddie Osefo teased a major allegation from TJ via a FaceTime call. Viewers finally found out what TJ’s claims were in Part 3. The reveal and aftermath were so dramatic, they managed to distract from both Karen Huger’s legal woes and Mia Thornton’s walkoff. Now, let’s break down TJ’s claims, and how Stacey reacted to them.
What did TJ Jones claim about his relationship with Stacey Rusch?
Wendy Osefo dropped a bombshell in Part 3 of the RHOP reunion. When Andy asked why Stacey didn’t want TJ at the reunion, she said it was because they broke up. But were they ever really together? That’s the question that came up when Wendy confronted Stacey and repeated what she heard from Eddie. “TJ let Eddie know that you actually paid him to be your love interest this season,” she said. Wendy added that TJ also claimed Stacey “still owes him a lot of money.”
Stacey shot down Wendy, insisting that TJ would never say such a thing. Wendy told Stacey there was video of this call. Stacey refused to call TJ herself and “entertain the lie,” but agreed to watch the video. That’s when Eddie came onstage to reiterate what TJ told him.
Eventually, the video was shown, and it was exactly as Wendy and Eddie described. “You know she paying me to do the show, man,” TJ said on the call. “You gotta talk to that girl. Give me my money!” Explaining why he wasn’t there, he called RHOP “fake” and continued, “Obviously she didn’t invite me. I ain’t never gonna be in DC again.” He also called Stacey “whack.”
How did Stacey react to TJ’s claims?
Before Eddie came onstage, Stacey kept calling TJ one of the best people she knows. She repeatedly denied that her best friend could say the things Wendy and Eddie claimed he did. However, after they showed the call, Stacey had to face the music.
“I think that it is one thing to see someone disrespect you and make you question your relationship,” she said. “Now, to see this, it’s so hurtful. It’s so very hurtful. I just can’t imagine him saying that.” As her RHOP co-stars laughed, a baffled Andy responded, “You heard him say it.”
“I absolutely heard him say that,” Stacey continued. “I can’t believe someone who prides themselves on being a man of God and being honest, and someone who I would think loves me, even if we’re not together, to say that.”
“I’ve never paid TJ a dime. I’ve never owed him anything.” she insisted. Andy asked if TJ could’ve meant that she agreed to pay for things like travel expenses, but she shut that down too. “I feel like the rug has been pulled from under me.”
Even before they showed the call, Stacey theorized that TJ could be lashing out because he was angry about the breakup. Afterward, she repeated this theory, adding that “hurt people hurt people.”
“I lost my best friend tonight,” she said at the end of the reunion. Quoting Maya Angelou, she added, “But still I rise.”
How did Stacey’s RHOP co-stars react to TJ’s accusations?
As soon as Wendy brought up the FaceTime call, Keiarna Stewart felt vindicated. Jacqueline Blake called the whole thing unchristian. When Ashley Darby suggested she created a fake relationship to get on the show, Stacey said she didn’t need TJ to get on RHOP or “any other platform.” Gizelle Bryant fired back, “Nobody here believes you … and the world will not believe you either.”
Stacey was hurt to see her co-stars believe TJ. “You all had doubts about TJ and you all talked so poorly of him,” she said, “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.”
What did Stacey say on Watch What Happens Live?
During the reunion, the other ladies (and Andy) tried to convince Stacey to call TJ and clear her name. But she refused because of their breakup. On Watch What Happens Live, she said she called TJ immediately after filming. Stacey claimed TJ was “remorseful” and “emotional” during the call.
Stacey maintained she never paid TJ. “I was in a real relationship with him,” she said, “and I was treated very poorly.” She said it was “jarring” to see that and watch the reunion phone call. “I hate to say this, but the ladies were right,” Stacey said. “He’s not the man for me. I was looking for love and he was in love with being in front of the camera.”
Andy asked why TJ made the fake relationship claims. Stacey theorized he was upset about the way he came across. “So, I think the only way he could rectify the situation was to say it wasn’t real, that he was in fact acting.”
Stacey isn’t worried about any receipts coming out because “I live in my truth.” She continued, “I didn’t pay him, I don’t have to pay anybody. I wish you could see my DMs, I”m in a great place.”
Ultimately, Stacey said her relationship with TJ was a “valuable lesson.” While she’s “moving forward,” Stacey is not dating anyone at the moment. Instead, she’s choosing to focus on herself and her healing.
Real Housewives of Potomac is available to stream on Peacock.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK RHOP’S STACEY RUSCH AND TJ JONES’ RELATIONSHIP WAS REAL OR FAKE? WHAT DID YOU THINK OF STACEY’S RESPONSE TO TJ’S CLAIMS?
