Get the Backstory: Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon's Entire Friendship Timeline
Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon share a special BFF bond. Learn how it all began.
Original cast members from The Real Housewives of Potomac Gizelle Bryant and Robyn Dixon share a longtime BFF bond, a nickname (“the green-eyed bandits”), and a podcast (Reasonably Shady).
RHOP returns for Season 8 on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 8/7c on Bravo, promising “new dynamics and different vibes.” We'll soon find out what that means for Robyn and Gizelle. In the meantime, let's rewind for a look at the besties’ bond and see how it all came together.
Gizelle and Robyn Friendship Timeline
2010
Robyn and Gizelle met at a charity event and became “immediate friends,” according to a monarch.com report. “We started hanging out, meeting for lunch and having drinks," said Gizelle.
2016
Gizelle and Robyn were introduced as friends on Season 1 of the Bravo franchise that premiered in January 2016, noting they were close pals who often hung out together. Throughout the season, they turned to each other for laughs and support.
2017
Robyn’s fraught relationship with her then ex-husband Juan Dixon was a source of concern for the other women, leading to questions about her game plan.
Gizelle was in her corner. “I've always stressed to Robyn, 'I just want you to be happy. If you're gonna be with this guy, great. You need to be in love with him, and he needs to be in love with you,’” she told The Daily Dish at the time.
2018
In April, during the After Show of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, a caller asked Gizelle if she ever holds Robyn “accountable” for questionable behavior. Her response showed that she has her friend's back — and vice versa.
"Of course, but no, because Robyn's my friend. I love her. She can do no wrong," Gizelle shared. She added that “when people come for her it's just because they're being mean. Robyn’s perfect.”
Later that year, in the wake of Gizelle’s breakup with her boyfriend, Sherman Douglas, Robyn reeled. “I was so upset,” she told The Daily Dish, “because I've been around them, and I really felt like they were made for each other.”
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At the same time, Robyn marveled at her BFF's flair for tough decision-making. “I really admire that about Gizelle that she can, when a relationship is not working for her, she can end it, and move on.”
2019
Robyn and Gizelle always have each other’s backs, but they can still get their backs up on occasion. Robyn was pushed to the limit by what she felt was Gizelle’s selfish behavior. After having words with each other, Gizelle acknowledged that she needed to be more compassionate.
2020
Real friends expect honesty from each other, not sugarcoating. So it goes for Gizelle and Robyn, who were virtual guests on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen in November 2020. Andy asked Robyn about how Gizelle and Jamal Bryant got back together after a 12-year split.
“Do you believe Gizelle and Jamal are meant to last?” Andy asked. “Oh, lord,” said Robyn. “Gosh! You know what? Nobody is meant to last!”
Gizelle respected her pal’s take. “That’s a good answer!” she said.
2021
In May, Gizelle and Robyn teamed up and launched their Reasonably Shady podcast, a platform for sharing stories — and spilling tea.
In October, Gizelle admitted on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen that the BFFs sometimes agree to disagree.
“She calls me out all the time," Gizelle said. "I'm just happy that they're now showing it [in episodes]. She's been calling me out since Season 1.”
2022
Gizelle and Robyn hosted a live version of Reasonably Shady.The podcast event wasn't totally seamless, but they two came through it together.
2023
Stay tuned. Gizelle finds herself in new territory in Season 8, per a series teaser. Gizelle’s bond with Robyn has faced challenges as Gizelle questions the rumors about Juan Dixon, who retied the knot with Robyn in August 2022.
But a sign that things are good between the ladies came when Gizelle appeared on Live with Kelly and Mark on Oct. 30 and shared a funny dating story.
“One of my besties, Robyn, y’all know Robyn, she tried to set me up with her landscaper,” said Gizelle, adding that her BFF stepped up as the gardener’s “wingwoman.”
But it turns out that Robyn shared a private quirk about the man, which ended up being a dealbreaker.
“He doesn’t bathe,” said Gizelle. “He washes like every three weeks or so. And that’s fine with him, but that’s not fine with me…. I need clean privates.
Find out more about Robyn and Gizelle and their fellow cast members on The Real Housewives of the Potomac, airing Nov. 5 at 8/7c on Bravo.
