'RHoDC': Stacie Turner on Cast's Offensive Remarks

Last week we chatted with Stacie Scott Turner, the African-American housewife on Bravo’s “Real Housewives of D.C.,” about Catherine “Cat” Ommanney — and just where the Black folks were hiding on a show about Chocolate City. Turner told us not to worry, we’re represented, and she was right. On the second episode, the ladies visited Stacie’s Aunt Frances in Virginia for a soul food dinner. Most of them comfortably dug into their collard greens and cornbread, while others like Cat seemed rude and ungrateful. ESSENCE.com spoke with Stacie about her husband’s penis measurer, Cat’s attitude, and what’s happening tonight’s on Bravo’s “Real Housewives of D.C.”…  ESSENCE.com: The Housewives had a soul food dinner at your family’s house in the second episode, but Cat was completely uncomfortable. What happened? TURNER: Last week was special for me because we were at Aunt Frances’ house, and I just have a special place in my heart for her. It’s one of those places where everybody feels welcome and comfortable, so it was surprising to me that Cat was so uncomfortable and that it wasn’t her scene. I felt that she was very rude and impolite, given the hospitality that was being extended. All I could chalk that up to was situational discomfort. I felt like Cat wasn’t trying, and I didn’t appreciate it because it was offensive to my family.  ESSENCE.com: Did your family mention anything after she left? TURNER: It’s interesting because Cat said goodbye to Aunt Frances, just not to anyone else. Aunt Frances felt fine about it, so I was actually relieved that she wasn’t directly offended and didn’t have any negative feelings toward Cat. But Cat just didn’t say goodbye to the rest of the group, I guess it’s just one of those things with editing that everyone just wasn’t in the same room. Also, Cat had a lot going on that episode in her personal life, so much of her distraction and perhaps her unwillingness to fit in was attributable to her experiencing something difficult at home that kept her preoccupied. Still, no excuse for being rude, but I can understand that if you’ve got something else going on, it’s hard to be engaged. Unfortunately, it can be read wrong, especially if it’s your first visit somewhere. ESSENCE.com: Do you think Cat is uncomfortable around mostly Black folks? TURNER: I think it was less about Black people than being in an unfamiliar situation. She just isn’t one of those people that warms up quickly. ESSENCE.com: Cat also said she “wasn’t going to make myself ill by being polite” to your family… TURNER: Again, it’s basic manners. I would never say that! I don’t care if someone served me something so disgusting that I’m about to throw up, I’m going to play it off in the spirit of graciousness and appreciation. ESSENCE.com: The first week we asked if you were a “Real Housewives of D.C.” villain and it looks like you’re definitely not. TURNER: The show is great because it takes all of these twists and turns. In upcoming episodes, Cat and I strike a connection over the book she’s writing called “Inbox Full” which is juicy! We end up finding commonality around that and off camera, I’m very fond of Cat. ESSENCE.com: Did that bond develop after the show finished taping? TURNER: The first couple of scenes were shot at the very beginning, when we didn’t know each other. When you’re filming with someone for hours on end, you get to know them. She’s very nice, just often misunderstood because sometimes her wit and candor can be attributed to nastiness, when really it’s not her intent. ESSENCE.com: Can we talk about your husband’s penis measurement patent? TURNER: It’s always interesting cocktail conversation! My husband has a patent for a scale that uses volume to measure various body parts and it’s on the entire body including arms, legs, torsos, etc. The strategy to get the patent through because it was so broad was to go for the smallest most obscure body part possible and then expand — that’s why the penis scale is the first patent. It’s silly. The technology can also be used for right-sized condoms, which is useful for the protection of HIV and prevention of pregnancy. Also for customized clothing and shoes and it’s a much more accurate measurement for weight reduction. The penile scale is just one of a series of patents. ESSENCE.com: What can we anticipate this week on “Real Housewives of D.C.”? TURNER: This week is really fun for us! First, you’ll see my husband and I visit with the Salahis for the first time. They own a winery called Oasis, which I think is defunct, but they talk about it a lot. My husband and I actually have good friends Lauren and Jerry Bias who own the only Black-owned vineyard on the east coast called Sugarleaf. They have a harvest party and we invite the Salahis down to their vineyard. While we’re there, we mention that we’re heading to Paris soon because my husband Jason’s brother is releasing an album there and he’s got the number one single in France at the time. The Salahis say it sounds like fun and they come too. The first serious storyline also emerges where I share my journey to find my birth parents. Catch “Real Housewives of D.C.” tonight at 10pm EDT on Bravo.