The much-anticipated return of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills brings with it a fresh yet familiar face. Rachel Zoe, already a known figure on Bravo, joins the ensemble, adding new dynamics to the group.

As the new season unfolds, Sutton is left pondering the deterioration of her friendship with Garcelle. Meanwhile, Dorit has taken the significant step of filing for divorce, Kyle is exploring life as a single woman, and Erika is determined to embrace a carefree summer. The question remains: can the group enjoy a drama-free season?

Bozoma and “Auntie Dorit” continue to be the best of friends. Dorit, known for her long voice messages, recently sent Boz a 17-minute note and gifted her a luxurious $2,000 Hermes blanket. During their chat, Boz brought up PK, Dorit’s estranged husband. Photographs have surfaced of PK with a woman resembling Dorit, albeit a less glamorous version, which prompted Dorit to officially end their marriage by filing for divorce the following day.

Dorit reveals she has made significant efforts to shield PK but refused his request for joint custody. She believes his motives were more about maintaining appearances than genuine parental involvement, particularly given his frequent travels that prevent him from spending time with their children.

Dorit explains that she has done a lot to protect PK, but rejected his plea for joint custody, since it seemed like he was only trying to save face.  After all, PK does not have a lifestyle that would allow him to be with the kids since he travels so often.

When it comes to Kyle, Dorit is still unsure.  Kyle messaged her four days after the news of the divorce broke, but Boz feels like Kyle missed an opportunity to step up as a friend for Dorit.

Speaking of Kyle, she is in her big, beautiful home with her daughters.  Mo has since moved out of his bachelor pad and into a home in Beverly Hills, but that does not mean the girls visit him often.  

As they prep for the upcoming wedding for her daughter, Alexia (Farah called off her engagement), Kyle feels all the emotions. She whips out HER wedding album and we learn that Mauricio was only 25 when he married Kyle. Since they have separated, Kyle is staying single, whereas Mo has been spotted smooching various women. 

This gives the daughters the ick and Sophia states that she tells him, “You are doing the absolute most.  You can tone it down.” Kyle is absolutely loving that her daughter refers to him as a ho. Kyle claims she is now desensitized to all the make-out photo ops and is happy her daughters are really handling this situation with grace, especially Porsha, the youngest.

Enter: Rachel Zoe, coming in as “unapologetically herself.” We all know who she is.  Tommy Hilfiger gave Rachel her first big freelance job, and from there, the rest is history in the styling world.  As of now, Rachel has about 40 different license brands that she works on…and is newly single.  

Because she has been very close with Paris and Kathy for years, Kathy has enlisted Rachel’s stylistic talents.  A little styling and therapy session ensues. Kathy and Rachel chat about summer plans and about Rodger, Rachel’s (newly) ex-husband.

Rachel explains that she is trying to look at Rodger like a friend, but after 26 years married it’s hard. Rachel believes they have outgrown each other and they have become different people. Kathy reminds Rachel that she is always there for her, like a true friend would be.

Erika is just back from her Mighty Hoopla performance in London and she heads to Kyle’s house.  They plan to go to Sutton’s house and prepare to hang with Reba, Sutton’s infamous mother. Sutton’s son is graduating from high school and so her mom is in town for “support.” Since the last trip Sutton spent with her mother, their relationship is now thriving.

Erika and Sutton are still a bit guarded toward each other, but they plan to move forward and this hang out is a start.  Kyle points out that Avi is missing from Sutton’s house and Sutton shares that she let him go, which is a shocking bombshell. According to Sutton, nothing really happened, but things got complicated and it’s unclear if they left on good terms.

Sutton seems to keep losing friends: Avi AND Garcelle.  The ladies are confused and only found out that Garcelle unfollowed them all through the press.

When Kathy joins them, she makes a toast welcoming Reba to LA. Sutton shares that her ex-husband, Christian, sent her a letter addressed to her maiden name: Sutton Brown.  In the letter, he explains how he asked for an annulment with the Catholic Church and so, Sutton’s marriage has been completely eradicated from the church.  They were married for 17 years and Sutton believes that Christian is simply trying to assert control.

To change up the conversation, Kyle invites the ladies to her house for a start of summer celebration.  Sutton is unsure how things will go with Dorit and Kyle brings up Dorit’s recent divorce. Erika believes that divorce brings out the worst in everyone and Sutton feels like the PK kissing photo ops were intentional. 

Even Reba gets in on the action, calling  PK “unattractive.” Luckily, Kyle claims she does not talk to PK any more, so at least that won’t get back to him…

Rachel explains that she loves coming home to an empty, peaceful house. She regrets working with her ex because lines got crossed, and in the end, he did not feel right in her life any more. The boys’ relationship with Rodger is a little tricky, as sometimes he spends time with his girlfriend instead of with the kids. Rodger has had the same girlfriend for about a year, but it seems like he got this girlfriend very quickly post split (aka …do the math).

Boz and Erika meet for dinner.  Erika shares that Tom called her while she was performing in London. Since he has been sentenced to prison, Erika feels as though Tom’s story is ending. Boz talks about the rumors flying around about Erika and a much younger Bravo star, but Erika remains mum.

She does, however, talk about Sutton’s luncheon. It’s odd seeing Sutton’s “close relationships disintegrate” and Boz claims she can’t trust someone inconsistent like Sutton.  Erika wants Sutton to show the group who she is. Boz wonders if the real Slim Sutton can please stand up, to which Erika corrects that it’s more “box” than slim. Ouch.

During glam, Sutton calls Kyle to chat about her empty nest. She’s prepared to see Dorit, as she does not hold on to things. Sutton is not trying to cause any more drama in Dorit’s life and so she is ready to have a good time at Kyle’s party.

Kyle is hopeful that flower crown making and pressed flower jars might be enough to keep the ladies busy…and not fighting. The guests begin trickling in and Boz appears to have brought her entire family, plus her boyfriend, Keely.  Things have been going great with Keely, but I’m not sure this is the place to parade him around. 

Kyle is looking forward to getting to know Boz and so long as she opens up, Boz is up for being “her acquaintance.” Dorit refuses to acknowledge who Sutton is, but believes she can still be cordial around her. Now that Sutton does not have Garcelle or Avi, her army has dwindled. 

Later, Dorit takes a minute to talk to Sutton about the annulment and they even shake on things.

Boz wonders how Sutton is feeling as an empty-nester and after losing friends.  Sutton states that she does not know what happened with Garcelle.  The last time she saw her, Garcelle was walking off the reunion set.  Sutton explains she texted multiple times, but Garcelle did not text back.

Sutton loved Garcelle- they were best friends, not an ally. Boz feels as though Sutton left Garcelle out to dry, but the fact of the matter is, we will never know because Garcelle is not speaking to anyone.

Kyle points out that when she is alone with Sutton, she is completely different. Kyle is hopeful that Sutton can be more consistent and then maybe people will let her in.

Rachel makes her official entrance into the group. She is already friends with Boz through the podcasting world, but easily acclimates with the women.  Rachel chats about her boys and the year she has had since leaving Rodger. 

Rachel believes that people should not stay together if they are not happy, especially because kids can feel this tension in the home.  Dorit seems in agreement with Rachel, except she has yet to tell her children about the divorce. Everyone seems to think it’s time Dorit share this, mainly because PK is out “running around with girls.”  Rachel is sure saying what we’re all thinking.

Kyle talks about how she is not quite ready to date, despite Mo’s PDA pictures and Rachel shares that she saw Mo in Aspen.  In fact, someone tried to set her up with Mo!  That’s SO weird. Dorit feels like Mo influenced PK in living his best life. But Rachel bluntly explains that PK “sucks” and if this divorce did not happen NOW, it would have happened in five years.

It is very clear this group needs a breath of fresh air and Rachel is happy to assist.  She TELLS Kyle she has to start going out and even influences them to have a hot girl summer.  Let’s see where this motto takes us this season…

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