From Potomac, Maryland, to Los Cabos, Mexico, Gizelle Bryant is a woman who knows what she wants. The Real Housewives Of Potomac star wasted no time in packing her bags when she got the call to go on Bravo’s Love Hotel, a new dating show that features Bryant, Ashley Darby (RHOP), Shannon Storms Beador (RHOC), and Luann de Lesseps (RHONY) as they mingle with a group of very eligible bachelors in the hopes of finding true love. Hosted by Joel Kim Booster—who also serves as the ladies’ “Love Concierge”— the series follows the ladies as they flirt with and date their favorite suitors as well as bond with each other.
While Bryant was already close with Darby, she was “surprised” by her connection with Storms Beador and de Lesseps. “You never know what to expect from women when it comes to meeting men,” said Bryant. “Our friendship always came first .” Bryant happily gave Storms Beador the “support and sisterhood” she needed as she navigated her connections. While Bryant noted that de Lesseps is a “dating pro,” Bryant was still there to “reel her in” when necessary. “We all know Luann’s all over the place,” said Bryant lovingly.
Bryant’s beautiful daughters—Grace, Angel and Adore—were at first a bit hesitant about their mother’s journey to find love . “My daughters think I’m insane,” laughed Bryant. “They were like, ‘What? You’re like on a dating show? Ma, no.’” However, once they realized Love Hotel was nothing like Love Island, they immediately had Bryant’s back. “Once I was there, they were all in,” remembered Bryant. “They just had to trust me.”
Gizelle stopped by the DECIDER studio to talk about the new series, the men, and the recent milestone that her podcast with Robyn Dixon, “Reasonably Shady,” just hit.
DECIDER: Gizelle, as a lady who loves control, Love Hotel seems very outside of your comfort zone. What made you want to check in?
GIZELLE BRYANT: I do love to always control all situations. The Love Hotel is something different. I’m at a place in life where my girls are gone. I’m an empty nester. Now is the time to try something different.
What did your daughters make of all this? Were they supportive?
My daughters think I’m insane. They were like, “What? You’re like on a dating show? Ma, no.” My kids watch Love Island, so that’s what they pictured in their heads. They were like, absolutely not. They just had to trust me. Once I was there, they were all in. They were like: “ma, tell us about the guys. What do they look like? What do the act like? Are they rich?”
On the show, you say you don’t love the term “empty nester.” What would you like us to use instead?
I don’t like empty nester because I’m in my bad bitch era, okay? [Laughs] And that’s what I would like for you all to say.
Noted! Now, the hotel is gorgeous. Were the accommodations up to your standards?
Yes, the Grand Velas Boutique Hotel was absolutely gorgeous. Every day, I was able to look out from my balcony and see the beautiful ocean and the beautiful pool. It was great, and the staff was amazing.
Joel Kim Booster claims that he is the perfect love concierge because he knows all of you ladies and your past romances like the back of his hand. Did he prove himself to you? Were you satisfied with his performance?
On a scale of one to 10, Joel probably got a five, okay? [Laughs] Only because I would have liked to see more of a variety of men for me. Not for Ashley, not for Luann, not for Shannon—I don’t care about them hos. I’m talking about for me.
So, overall, you weren’t pleased with the men that you were paired with, but what did you think of the group altogether?
The group was good. The men were there for the right reasons. They were established. Each was ready to have a huge love interest in his life. Some of the younger guys were amazing too, like Walé and Jay. These guys are catches, for sure.
I’m rooting for Jay.
You know, everyone was rooting for Jay [laughs]. I was even rooting for Jay, but it just seemed like Jay wouldn’t step up to the plate. He didn’t have what it takes to live in the Gizelle Hotel.
Fair, but maybe Ralph does? You all seemed pretty interested in him!
Listen, Ralph was coming through like Mr. Beefcake, okay? He was tall, very nice body. We were in Cabo, so he had a tan. That tan was looking very good on him. All the ladies were taken and intrigued with Mr. Ralph, even myself.
The men are pretty great, but I’m loving the sisterhood among all of the ladies. Did that bond surprise you at all?
Honestly , it did. Not necessarily with Ashley, because that’s my girl. However, you never know what to expect from women when it comes to meeting men. Like, it could go south quickly, but we definitely had our girl code thing going. Our friendship always came first . I felt like Shannon needed a whole lot of love and sisterhood. She was in a very fragile state when she arrived. Luann is a dating pro, right? So, she didn’t need much support . Though, we all know that Luann’s all over the place [laughs]. She needed people to reel her in. That’s what I was there for.
You admitted in your confessional that you don’t know the New England states above Connecticut. Do you know them now?
Okay, so like legit, I have no idea where Rhode Island, Vermont and Maine are relative to each other. I think Maine is at the top. I don’t know these states y’all. It’s Connecticut or bust [laughs].
Switching gears, I was so proud of Robyn Dixon on The Traitors! How do you think your bestie did?
Oh, she was phenomenal. I knew she would do well because I know Robyn. She might get a check from the FBI. She is very much CIA. That’s just her personality. I knew she was going to try and figure out the traitors in that castle. My only thought was, “they’re going to figure out that Robin is going to figure this out, and they’re going to want her to be gone.” That’s what happened. She lasted a long time, though. I think she did an amazing job.
Your podcast with Robyn, “Reasonably Shady,” just reached a major milestone with 10 million downloads! What’s next for you two?
I mean, I feel like we need to hit 20 million. We need to get 30 million [laughs]. When we first started—and you remember when we started—it was like we were just playing around a little bit. It turned out that most people freaking love the podcast. We’re into the fifth season of Reasonably Shady, and we are looking forward to starting our sixth season. We’re so thankful for The Black Effect Network for taking a chance on us. 10 million downloads and counting, baby! Get into it! So many people wrote us off, but no! We’re still here.
Love Hotel airs Sunday nights at 9/8c on Bravo
