In a surprising turn of events, The Real Housewives of Potomac star Karen Huger has been sentenced to two years in prison, with one year suspended, following a DUI arrest in March 2024. The 61-year-old reality TV personality was immediately taken into custody after the February 26, 2025, hearing in Montgomery County, Maryland. This development has elicited a range of reactions from her co-stars, including Gizelle Bryant, Wendy Osefo, and Ashley Darby.
Gizelle Bryant: “I Am Concerned for Her Safety”
Gizelle Bryant, known for her candid demeanor, expressed deep concern regarding Huger’s incarceration. During her “Gizelle 21 Shady Questions Live” event on February 26, Bryant stated, “I am concerned. In all seriousness, I am concerned for her safety. Karen ain’t cut out for jail.” Bryant’s apprehension highlights the gravity of the situation and the challenges Huger may face during her imprisonment.
Wendy Osefo: “My Jaw Dropped”
Dr. Wendy Osefo, a professor and political commentator, shared her shock upon hearing the news. Speaking with PEOPLE at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards on February 27, Osefo remarked, “My jaw dropped. I couldn’t believe it. At the end of the day, we may have our differences, but I always wish her well, … .” Osefo’s comments underscore the unexpected nature of the sentencing and her hope for Huger’s well-being.
Ashley Darby: “I Cried Like a Baby”
Ashley Darby, another of Huger’s co-stars, conveyed her emotional response during an appearance on The Tamron Hall Show. Darby revealed, “I cried like a baby” upon learning of the sentencing. She further urged, “I really do encourage everyone … . I really care about her.”
Montgomery County Correctional Facility’s Jail Addiction Services (JAS)
Karen Huger’s sentence will be served at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility (MCCF) in Maryland. MCCF offers a range of programs aimed at inmate rehabilitation, including the Jail Addiction Services (JAS) program. JAS is a comprehensive, jail-based treatment initiative designed to provide intensive addiction treatment to eligible inmates. The program encompasses an eight-week educational phase followed by ongoing aftercare for the duration of an inmate’s incarceration. Therapeutic activities include community meetings, educational and therapy groups, peer counseling, self-help meetings, and cognitive-behavioral skill-building. The primary objectives of JAS are to encourage participation in addiction treatment, assess substance use and criminal thinking, increase access to community-based services upon release, reduce recidivism, and promote sustained abstinence from substances.
As Karen Huger begins her sentence, the support and concerns voiced by her co-stars highlight the personal and communal impacts of her legal challenges. Programs like JAS at MCCF aim to provide the necessary support for rehabilitation, offering a pathway toward recovery and reintegration into society.
