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Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Season 2 Led to Some Great Friendships — Take a Look
Ex-'Wives came from across the Bravo franchise to vacation at Dorinda Medley's Berkshire estate, Bluestone Manor, in RHUGT Season 2.
It was all x’s and o’s on Season 2 of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, and by that, we mean ex-‘Wives and oh my gods.
Set against the backdrop of New England’s Berkshire mountains, the former ‘Wives — and those “on pause” — enjoyed a holiday at Bluestone Manor, the Great Barrington estate belonging to The Real Housewives of New York City alum Dorinda Medley. Though no love was lost among some of the ladies, several showed up with well-established bonds, including Phaedra Parks and Eva Marcille, formerly of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, and Tamra Judge and Vicki Gunvalson, once cast members on The Real Housewives of Orange County.
But new friendships were formed during their week-long stay, and we’re going to “make it nice” by highlighting our favorite ones.
1. Dorinda Medley and Jill Zarin's Friendship
Despite once being ‘Wives of the Big Apple, Ultimate Girls Trip hostess Dorinda came onto the RHONY series as a guest in Season 4, the same season alum RHONY's Jill Zarin left. Dorinda would eventually return as a full-time ‘Wife in Season 7 before departing the show after Season 12. Thus, the pair only knew one another in passing.
“The truth is, I wasn’t good friends with Dorinda,” Jill told fellow RHUGT castmate Taylor Armstrong from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. “I knew Dorinda.”
According to Jill, she tried reaching out to Dorinda after she was cast but didn’t receive a warm response. Despite a few spats throughout the trip — including when Dorinda perceived Jill as wanting to weasel her way into Eva’s radio show — both widowed ‘Wives found common ground and formed a new friendship.
By the season’s penultimate episode, they decided to start their days with a hug, and in the finale, Jill admitted her fear of rejection.
“I was scared to go there with you because I thought you would reject me, and I’m so happy you didn’t,” Jill confessed to Dorinda.
Things seemed to end on a high note. However, after filming, Dorinda later called Jill a pot-stirrer on an episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, following “bizarre” Instagram comments by Jill, claiming Dorinda blocked her from the Berkshires. We hope things get back on track after they clashed in October at BravoCon 2022.
2. Tamra Jude and Phaedra Parks' Friendship
Atlanta ‘Wife Phaedra seemed to be the peacekeeper in this season of RHUGT, which Bravo’s own Andy Cohen once referred to as his “dream cast crossover.” However, Tamra, seeing Phaedra as more of an “observer” on the series, found time to get Phaedra alone and bond during a walk on the Bluestone Manor grounds, discovering the pair had much in common.
“She’s very zen, she’s very sweet, but she doesn’t really say much,” Tamra noted.
Dressed in their best athletic wear, Phaedra allowed herself to discuss having a new romantic interest, despite being previously married to Apollo Nida (twice, in fact).
Discussing love and loss, Tamra opened up about how her own “ugly” divorce caused her to be angry, something Phaedra was able to empathize with. She later referred to Phaedra as being the soft-spoken voice of reason among the cast members.
Both women were also fans of Bluestone Manor and its infamous fish room, which you can read about here.
3. Taylor Armstrong and Eva Marcille's Friendship
The sturdiest bond formed was probably between RHOBH’s Taylor and RHOA’s Eva, whose onscreen correspondence seemed to take the show to a deeper level.
Both found much to talk about in RHUGT Episode 2 when being pampered with the rest of the ladies at Bluestone Manor’s poolside. Taylor was happy to show Eva her prayer scarf, which was given to her by a friend who’d climbed Mount Everest.
Eva told producers she and Taylor had “the same idea when it comes to creating your happiness.”
Later in the season, Taylor approached Eva because she sensed that talk of her husband’s suicide struck a chord in Eva, which it had. Eva confessed to being the victim of domestic violence, as Taylor had been at the hands of her husband. Both discussed the struggles of trying to be tough while also staying soft when inside abusive relationships. In both cases, the abuse started when both women became pregnant.
“To know that someone gets it, it just helps you sleep,” said Eva. “It helps you walk and keep your head up in a genuine queen-like height.”
Taylor and Eva cried and hugged, maintaining the strongest bond of the RHUGT season like the fierce and powerful women they are.
5. Phaedra Parks and Dorinda Medley's Friendship
Unlike some of the aforementioned friendships, the relationship between Phaedra and Dorinda didn’t have a rocky start. On the contrary, both hit it off rather quickly on Ultimate Girls Trip, as illustrated on their first day together at Bluestone Manor.
During a traditional New England clam bake, Dorinda surprised the group by using her bare hands to crack into a cooked lobster before hand-feeding it to Phaedra. Dorinda “made it sexy,” and Phaedra later said, “I’m here for it all.”
Phaedra previously said she went to the Berkshires with an open mind, hoping to connect with the ladies because of their shared status of once being part of the Housewives franchise, including the “good, bad, ugly, and indifferent.” Thankfully, her optimism weathered the season.
By trip’s end, Phaedra admitted she had the most fun with Dorinda, who could make her “laugh, laugh, laugh.” And to keep the peace among the ‘Wives, not only did she plan an intimate gospel concert with Grammy Award-winning Bishop Hezekiah Walker, she made sure everyone went home with a copy of a prayer book and the Holy Bible.
“Tonight’s like magic,” Jill admitted to producers. “We’re just all being transformed, thanks to Phaedra.”
Catch up on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, now in its third season with a new set of ‘Wives taking on Thailand, available now on Peacock.
