Honestly, nobody saw it coming. For years, if you asked anyone in the Bravo universe about Monique Samuels, the answer was always the same: "She’s never coming back." She said it. The network seemingly agreed. After that chaotic physical altercation with Candiace Dillard Bassett in a winery—an image burned into the brains of every RHOP fan—Monique walked away. She didn't just leave; she slammed the door, locked it, and moved her entire life to a different network.
But it’s 2026, and things have changed. A lot.
Monique Samuels is officially back on The Real Housewives of Potomac for Season 10. But don't expect the same woman who was ready to "drag" someone across a table. This time around, she’s returning as a "friend of" the cast, and the life she’s leading now looks nothing like the one we saw during her original run. From a finalized divorce to a brand-new memoir, Monique’s return is basically a masterclass in how to reinvent yourself when the world thinks they’ve already figured you out.
What Really Happened With the Real Housewives of Potomac Exit?
To understand why people are so shocked she’s back, you have to remember how ugly things got. Most reality stars leave because of "scheduling conflicts" or "mutual decisions." Monique left because she felt the show was actively trying to dismantle her family.
During Season 5, the rumors were relentless. The cast wasn't just talking about her temper; they were questioning the paternity of her youngest son, Chase. They were whispering about affairs with trainers. It was messy, even by Bravo standards. Monique has been very vocal about the fact that she felt the network and production were pushing a specific, negative narrative about Black families.
She wasn't just fighting Candiace; she was fighting the edit.
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When she announced she was leaving in 2020, she chose peace over a paycheck. Or so she thought. She tried the Love & Marriage: DC route on OWN, thinking a different production team would show the "real" her. Instead, that show ended up documenting the slow, painful collapse of her marriage to former NFL star Chris Samuels. It turns out, you can change the channel, but you can’t outrun the cameras when your personal life is hitting a breaking point.
The Divorce: Ending the "Perfect" Marriage
For years, Monique and Chris were the "it" couple of Potomac. They had the four-story mansion, the luxury cars, and the "Not For Lazy Moms" brand that Monique built from the ground up. But behind the scenes? It was a different story.
In April 2023, Monique filed for divorce. It was finalized by September of that same year.
Basically, the "marriage curse" of reality TV claimed another victim, but Monique is quick to point out it wasn't just the show. In her recent media appearances, she’s been incredibly raw about why it ended. It wasn't one big betrayal. It was a decade of feeling unheard. She’s admitted to being "miserable" for a long time, trying to keep up an image of perfection while her internal life was falling apart.
- The Breaking Point: Monique realized that "staying together for the kids" was actually setting a bad example of what love looks like.
- The Healing Process: She spent the last two years in intense therapy, focusing on her own childhood traumas and why she reacted to conflict with aggression.
- Co-Parenting: Despite the split, she and Chris have been spotted co-parenting their three kids—Christopher, Milani, and Chase—with a level of maturity that honestly puts most reality stars to shame.
Why Return to the Real Housewives of Potomac Now?
You’re probably wondering: if the show was so toxic, why go back?
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Money is always a factor, sure. But for Monique, it seems to be about the narrative. She just released a new book on January 4, 2026, titled Love Letters from Versions of Myself: A Memoir of Self-Discovery, Transformation and Healing. Coming back to the show—even in a reduced capacity—gives her a platform to show the "Version 10.0" of herself.
She’s no longer the wife of a football star. She’s a single woman, an author, and the CEO of Mila Eve Essentials, her essential oils brand. She’s also doing a live podcast tour called "Life After..." with Richie Skye. Basically, she’s busy. Returning as a "friend" allows her to dip her toe back into the drama without having to film 24/7 or let the cameras into every corner of her new, private life.
It’s a smart move. She gets the relevance without the total loss of privacy.
The Dynamics in Season 10
The Potomac cast has shifted significantly since she left. Candiace is gone. The "Green-Eyed Bandits" (Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon) have seen their own shares of drama—with Robyn also exiting recently. Coming back into a cast with Ashley Darby, Dr. Wendy Osefo, and some new faces like Keiarna Stewart means the alliances have completely reset.
People are dying to see if she and Gizelle can ever play nice, or if the old wounds are still too deep. Early reports from filming suggest she’s staying out of the "birthing" of new rumors and focusing more on her business and her "spiritual healing" journey. We'll see how long that lasts once the drinks start flowing at a group dinner.
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What You Can Learn from Monique’s Journey
Love her or hate her, Monique Samuels knows how to pivot. Most people would have disappeared after a scandal like the winery fight. She didn't. She leaned into it, analyzed it, and eventually wrote a book about it.
If you’re looking for a takeaway from her return to The Real Housewives of Potomac, it’s this:
- Protect your peace, even if it’s expensive. She walked away from a massive contract because it wasn't healthy. That’s a boss move.
- Acknowledge your triggers. Monique hasn't blamed everyone else for her past behavior. She’s been open about her "work" in therapy.
- Control your own story. By writing a memoir and launching her own podcast, she’s making sure the world hears her voice, not just a producer’s edit.
- Know when to come back. Timing is everything. Coming back now, as a single woman with a fresh perspective, makes her more interesting than she ever was as a "perfect" housewife.
The new season is shaping up to be a total reset for the franchise. Whether you’re Team Monique or still wary of her return, one thing is certain: Potomac is a lot more interesting when she's in the mix.
If you're following the new season, pay close attention to her interactions with the veterans. The best way to keep up with her current projects is to check out her "Life After..." podcast or look for her memoir at local retailers. Her evolution from the "four homes" housewife to a self-help author is the kind of reality TV arc that actually feels earned. Watch her scenes this season not for the shade, but for the growth—it's the most "real" thing she's ever done.