And in the super-sized season premiere airing on Oct. 9, the ladies prove why theyve had such longevity.
Gizelle and Karen, meanwhile, surprise viewers by actually getting along.
Wendy: It was Ashley.
I was very surprised to build a bond with her.
Karen: One that I really enjoyed is the new friend of the show, Jacqueline.
She’s smart, she’s funny, and she’s TV candy.
Candiace: There was a bonding, or a come to Jesus, that I had with Ashley.
Robyn: I really enjoyed getting to know Mia better.
I think we get to see Mia as a true personality [these days].
Gizelle: Mia and I.
By the end of the season, I love me some Mia.
She’s a lot of fun.
Mia: We’re so fluid.
It depends on the wind.
One day we love each other, the next day we don’t.
That’s how it works.
On Their Biggest Adversaries right now
Gizelle: Probably Candiace.
I think that we had an issue with her husband.
Candiace: Oh, child, they are all my adversaries at one time or other.
It’s very sordid and foul the way that she went about what she did and what she said.
I’ll let that just play out…
I’m just going to sit back, moisturize my body, and be quiet.
Robyn: Wendy and I pretty much did not mesh well the entire season, so that’s unfortunate.
Mia: Wendy and I have a love-hate relationship, so probably her.
Ashley: Chris Bassett does some stuff this year youll see that Candiace definitely doesnt approve of.
Karen: I would say I’m good with all of the ladies, to be honest with you.
Not so much but, hey, stay tuned.
It’s great TV.
At the end of the day, I just want Ashley to be happy.
Robyn: We weren’t quite sure where she was with that.
Karen: I’m sad for her because I’ve been through a divorce.
It’s painful, it’s like an amputation of the body part without any pop in of Novocaine.
You just don’t do it willy nilly.
If she wants this divorce, I got you.
If you want to fix things up with Michael, I got you.
Candiace: I heard about it on the day that she came over to my house.
She was freaking out.
It was a shock to everyone at once.
I don’t want to judge a book by its cover.
Wendy: I’m team marriage.
I love love, and I love when people are together.
I was definitely stunned, but I want her to be happy and do what’s best for her.
Ashley: This is the hardest decision Ive ever had to make, and were still going through it.
Theres some roadblocks we havent hit yet.
But Michael is such a great father, and well always able to come back together somehow.
As co-parents, that is.
I’m really proud of it.
I haven’t heard the first one and I damn sure I didn’t hear this one.
I know that song, Drive Back.
Karen: Not only have I listened to it, I supported it.
I bought the whole album.
She truly is a very talented singer.
This woman has been singing in my ear since France, right?
I am so happy that she’s pursuing her dreams.
Robyn: I downloaded it on iTunes and I listened to it and I think it’s amazing.
It’s a very mature but hip R&B album.
I really was surprised by how good her album is.
Ashley: Ive listened to a few songs, like Drive Back.
Theyre good, she really is a talented singer.
I dont think her music and Coffee & Love are comparable at all.
Someone is actually walking down the aisle to Coffee & Love this weekend.
Its fun and light-hearted, has a good groove, but Candiace has got soul.
Mia: Okay, so no.
Will Robyn & Juan Actually Get Married?
Look, if you want to get married, get married.
If you don’t, don’t get married.
I am just tired of talking about it.
It’s been seven years.
Candiace: I hope that they do, if that’s what they want.
I have always been an advocate of the Dixons.
I always said to Robyn that I admired her for always doing things her way and Juan’s way.
What works for them works for them.
Did I say that out loud?
Ashley: I really hope they do.
But Im not holding my breath or waiting for an invitation.
At this point, it’s like, Girl, stop lying to us.
Just say what it is.
Gizelle: They’re getting married tomorrow, I think [laughs].
I’m sure that they’re going to get married, and that’s all I can say.
I’ve been sworn to secrecy.
Robyn: The prenup talk was much more uncomfortable than I thought it would be.
Any time we have to talk about it’s just like,ugh.
You almost have to take a few drinks to get that conversation in.
It kind of made the thoughts of a wedding, or wedding planning, a little difficult.
So we’ll just have to see where we end up.
That’s what it is.
Robyn: I would say my secret is just truly being myself and not filtering myself for the cameras.
We’re evolving, but we’re the same OGs.
Ashley: Is there a secret?
I think its just because we live our lives on camera as authentically as possible.
These girls are myrealfriends, we go out and I talk to them all the time.
Thats what I would be doing if we werent on the show, too.
Karen: The fans have allowed me to just let them see the whole Karen.
There’s so many layers to me.
My secret to being successful as a Housewife is to continue to evolve and just to be real.
If I don’t like you, you’re going to know it.
I don’t care if I’m the only person sitting at the table.
I don’t care about eating alone.
I’ll eat my salad and drink my martini alone and be just fine.
And that’s when you are a force to be reckoned with.
But it’s also absolutely okay to still have the best title in the world, which is mommy.
Candiace: I want my legacy to always be one that shows that authenticity always wins.
I believe that [Karens] candle only has three, which doesn’t give you options.
I give you options.
Karen: I don’t think it really takes more than three, darling.
I think I’ve proven that.
But I’m not opposed to expansion.
Gizelle: I think three.
Three makes it burn better than two.
Im just going to say I’ll burn the three-wick candle again.
Ashley: Im a two-wicker.
Thats all I need.
Candiace: Well, I’m a candle person.
The more wicks you have, the more of the essence that billows across the room.
Mia: You know its unlimited, baby.
Ive been waiting for them to top my nine-wick so I can come out with the 20-wick.
Its sitting on the shelf collecting dust so these girls catch up.
Its a big baby.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
This article was originally published onOct.
