Roxanne 
As the newest member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Bozoma Saint John has quickly made a splash, especially with her budding friendship with castmate Dorit Kemsley. Their connection, which began at Sutton Stracke’s Surrealism party in the season 14 opener, took Boz by surprise, as forming friendships as an adult isn’t always easy. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the 48-year-old marketing executive turned entrepreneur shared how their fast bond was unexpected but refreshing.
“I was surprised by how quickly we bonded only because it’s hard to make friends as an adult,” Boz admits. “In the work space, I haven’t been able to make friends because I’ve been in that top seat for a long time, yeah, and it is not always appropriate to make friends, you know?” She continued, explaining how her professional environment, particularly at Netflix, made it difficult to develop friendships. “And so your circle of potential friendships becomes very small,” she says, citing the small number of other executives at the company as a barrier to forming close relationships.
Despite the challenges, Boz is grateful for her deepening connection with Dorit, a bond that has even extended beyond the show. Dorit traveled to New York City for Boz’s 48th birthday celebration and to support her debut on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. However, their friendship will face some tension in this week’s RHOBH episode when Garcelle Beauvais accuses Boz of being “Dorit’s spokesperson” in her absence during a conversation with the other women.
In response to this, Boz encourages a more open and positive approach when forming friendships. She reflects, “Instead of focusing on not liking my relationship with Dorit, or feeling like, ‘Oh, I’m spending so much time with her,’ why don’t you do it in the affirmative? Why don’t you tell me what’s going on in your life? Why don’t you come in and share with me? How about you ask me what’s going on in my life so I can share with you, and then that way you and I can become friends, right?”
Boz shared how Dorit’s openness surprised her but also made her more receptive to forming a real bond. “I think Dorit opening up to me immediately at that first event took me by surprise,” Boz admits, “but I was very open to it because I haven’t had the opportunity to really make friends as an adult.”
When it comes to getting to know other women on the show, Boz isn’t interested in focusing on conflict or drama. She explained her desire to connect with Kyle Richards for more personal reasons: “I don’t want to get to know Kyle because she has conflict with Dorit Kemsley. I want to know Kyle because of what she’s going through with Mau. I want to know Kyle because we have daughters who are the same age. I want to know Kyle because she’s about to be an empty nester and how she’s feeling and how she’s dealing with that.”
With the season 14 reunion on the horizon, Boz remains hopeful about building strong connections with her new castmates. “I’m hopeful that we can build real relationships,” she says, despite being the newcomer.
58 comments
Happy Friday everyone…where the heck are the new stories???
Happy Friday?.
I’m wondering the same thing.!
First of all, wanting ALL of those things with Kyle is zero. If you become slightly friendly with Kyle, you'll be used, abused & discarded. Kyle dosent know how to be a True Friend Period!
I'm happy she bonded with Dorit who loves to hear her own voice & I'm even happier that you, Boz, loves to listen. A friendship made in Heaven.
But, you cant arrive at a party later than the others, not know the back story & then pounce on others in defense of Dorit who was a true B & not expect darts, ok honey?
I think she took those darts like a champ.
I'd like Boz to put Garcelle in her place.
Sounds like she finally read the email instructing her that she must treat Kyle properly.
By next season she will be Kyle's best friend (unless our prayers are answered and Kyle is gone!) and will turn on Dorit because Kyle told her to?
Maybe, maybe not Steve. I got the sense that she saw through Kyle when Kyle visited her home after her surgery. She didn't like what she saw & I am sure Dorit gave her a full book on Kyle as Dorit is known to insufferably ramble on, especially as Kyle mistreated Dorit & shut her out & down.
?I hope not.
Sorry not sorry, but Boz is SO incredibly narcissistic and delusional. Why don’t they come to you?! Why would they? Who are you, to ‘come to’, some sort of deity and your acknowledgment is some sort of blessing?! B*tch please! Instead, why not say, ‘why don’t the others give me a chance like Dorit did?’ Cuz I get it that for whatever reason, she clicked with Dorit BUT it was Dorit that, yes WAY overshared, ? but nonetheless opened up to Boz in a way that obviously resonated with her. BUT NO! These souls have to seek after her on bended knee for a blessing? No. I don’t think so… https://media0.giphy.com/media/vdgUYf8KVauMFyzNov/giphy-downsized-small.mp4
Wow, are we watching the same show?
https://media4.giphy.com/media/uUP7F5A1rQR9uKls9P/giphy-downsized-small.mp4
Good morning to you too?
I'm not impressed with Bozo either, and I suspect there is a lot to be revealed. Just like all the others, this clown didn't join the show because her life is rosy. I'm guessing that for starters, she blew through her alleged big salaries (from years ago) and is broke.
Bozo, whether you want to acknowledge it or not you are Dorit’s- bestie -cheerleader-bodyguard.
You are not as welcoming to Kyle as you think you are.
I think she’s giving Kyle back what Kyle gives her , she is being cautious maybe ? Why put yourself right out there in the middle of all the chaos that’s been going on ? These ladies have piled on Erika relentlessly , they’ve piled on Kyle ( which I’m not really complaining but still – it’s overzealous dramatics ) , they’ve almost constantly treated Dorit like shit . Garcon has been relentlessly monitoring , defending and inserting for Sutton from jump so what is the issue if Dorit has someone in her side for once ? I don’t get these broads .
I think she is giving push pack to Kyle due to Kyle's relationship with Dorit. I'd do the same if my bestie had an issue with you. I want Boz to put that energy on Sutton and Garcelle.
Exactly! This is only the second season I've watched in it's entirety ( the first one was season one, and I've never recovered from that limousine scene). I have to say, I'm loving this season and enjoy every episode because of Boz and cause Miss Kyle is getting it put to her FOR ONCE??? Oh, and Miss Reba whom I adore?
Reba , God love her at 82!!!
In all fairness to Kyle, she's been at this a long time, and can surely spot the one and dones from the "keepers" by now, so she's probably (subconsciously?) thinking why bother getting to know her? Other than Dorit (only because the script calls for), it appears that none of the women are bonding with Bozo.
Kyle's been there too long and as usual has her knickers in a knot cause someone isn't kissing her ass. If they're not bonding it's because they don't know how to quite deal with someone like Boz who will put them in their place in a heartbeat if they pull their usual BS with her. In other words, they're unsure of the highly trained boss lady who is going to call it the way it is.
I’m beginning to think you don’t care for Kyle.
Because imo – she’s not a fake kiss ass . She lives her best life regardless , she doesn’t need this show . I do agree about Kyle but she , as we have seen , can be cold and can flip like a light switch . That’s not very welcoming or trust worthy . Girl done threw her own sister nastily and angrily under the bus and ran her ass over lol
Also, let us not forget how she (and Kim) literally bullied the hell out of Brandi during those early years.
You know we're in trouble with this one, when all her story lines are scripted BS; from her fake "Walter" BF to her played out infertility issues and fibroids. Where have we seen this all before … oh yeah, in ATL with Kenya. Now she's inserting herself in everyone else's shit just to have something to say. One & done if there ever was one
One and done? Um, are you forgetting a certain card that knows no expiration among a certain ilk? ? We’re stuck with this insufferable broad! At least Kenya was entertaining…?
So true but I'm hoping that's not the case here. One can only hope?
I liked Bozo better in the first few eps when she didn't say much except for an occasional "Oof!~" (in response to Dorit's rambling). I actually find her uncomfortable to watch, from her freakishly moose-like physical stature to her awkwardness in front of the cameras and with the group. This bitch makes Kunty look "petite and dainty".
I don't find her awkward at all and I think she looks polished and coifed at all times. She's a big girl but so what? She wears it well. Nothing to be intimidated about and I'm pretty bloody "petite". ( I refuse to say short)?
I hope you're wrong and she doesn't grow horns by season 2 ? I didn't like the Malibu comment but hey, maybe there's some truth to it. Let's see what happens.
Which Malibu comment?
Sorry, I didn't see this…her Malibu house burned down in the wild fires and she said something to the effect of that it was hard for her to acquire that house due to racial discrimination. Maybe it's true, IDK but I just thought it was inappropriate to bring race into it when so many lost their homes.
I wasn't aware she said that. Probably a deflection on the controversy over the ineffective/incompetent black mayor and infamous black female (DEI) firefighter who made the news when she blamed the victims.
Boz is a great edition, I just don't want her at odds with Kyle, I'd like her to come for Sutton & Garcelle.
A coveted upvote, but only for the second half of your comment.
I really find Boz's straight forward no BS approach to be refreshing. She hasn't said one thing yet that doesn't make sense. She's a product of the corporate world so she can definitely handle these ladies and their nonsense. If this is the real her and she doesn't weird out by season 2 then she's definitely a keeper. So far…I love her. ?
I really find Boz's straight forward no BS approach to be refreshing. She hasn't said one thing yet that doesn't make sense. She's a product of the corporate world so she can definitely handle these ladies and their nonsense. If this is the real her and she doesn't weird out by season 2 then she's definitely a keeper. So far…I love her. ?
She's a product of the corporate world…
^^^^^^^^
Truer words (and a more damning indictment ?) were never spoken. Cheers ?
Oh no…I'm going to be heartbroken. But I think her training helps her to handle these ladies and the Reality environment. I wouldn't want to cross her for sure.
She just comes across to me as insufferably entitled, arrogant, condescending and narcissistic. I know society has devolved to a point where these traits are admired and celebrated and that is but one example of why the gate don’t need to be wide, chile ? #iykyk. Arrogance masquerading as confidence is a wide gate trait. We all have to rein it in at times but when you lead with it and revel in it? That’s some wide gate sh*t. ?
#sorrynotsorry
I almost want to agree , but I’m holding out . I think she’s the realest to set foot on this show in a bit and these wannabe mean girls that think they’re a gang on a hw show should sit on a humble pie and rotate on it ;time will tell .
I wish they had made better use of her, like an initial friend role to ease her into the group so it wasn’t so OBVIOUS she doesn’t know any of these broads. The screamingly obvious fact that she was likely a complete and total stranger to all of them (despite the bullshit connection story producers came up with…if they even bothered ?) makes her egregious Oprah fueled ARROGANCE all the more difficult to stomach. It’s just a different flavor of narcissism, and it doesn’t fool me. ? That said, she nonetheless checks enough hw boxes so that it merits another season at least. Just lose the fake boyfriend, I say. ? Walter did it first and Walter did it better. ??? Poor Walter. ?
LMAO ! The Walter of it all
I wonder if Walter was ever able to live that down? I’m sure it’s been long enough that a lot of people have forgotten, but no way he doesn’t get the occasional ‘Are you the RHOA Walter of Kenya Moore fame?’ ? Poor Walter. You know he initially just thought, ‘Meh, what could go wrong? I’ll just collect my check/perks and be on my way. No one will be the wiser.’? And…oof! ???
Oh no, not the ghastly Oprah…can't stand that lady now that she's gone all BLM. But, poor Walter? I kinda agree.
Well, it does take a good dose of arrogance to be confident in life. No? ?
No. There’s a definite line. Arrogance inevitably has a negative connotation and confidence (as opposed to overconfidence) does not. Someone who is confident can also be (and often is) actually humble as well, whereas arrogance by its very definition lacks any and all humility.
Knowing what you’re doing is not does not require arrogance. Confidence and humility can co-exist. Arrogance and humility cannot.
The fact that Boz is successful in her career (regardless of why ?) does not automatically qualify her as an expert on ANYTHING outside of any realm she is actually an expert in (assuming such expertise actually exists cuz ????). Or even asserting outside of such a realm, she is any more qualified than any of these other women let alone all of them.? She ain’t. Her assuming so IS Oprah arrogant!
To have actual confidence, she would have to know what she is doing in her unsolicited interference re: Sutton, for example, and she actually did NOT. Her ARROGANCE would not allow her to stay in her lane because of the lack of humility. She thinks WAY too highly of herself. Oprah on steroids and with a bad weave to boot. Oh the humanity! ? That said, if she makes for good tv, (and she’s AT LEAST got potential) bring her back!!!
You do learn alot of conflict resolution I’m sure , communication etc . So far I like how she handles these bitches lol! Garcelle be side eyeing the F out of her , and I want to smack her through the tv 🙂 Garcy is a little hater who has no room to tell someone else to basically butt out. She is the set of permanent lips on Sutton’s ass cheeks
"I want to smack her through the tv" ?
Actually, other than corporate psychopaths which are many, corporate training is quite effective for navigating real life conflicts. It teaches you self discipline which some of these b*tches could really benefit from.
Within a corporate environment no doubt. They were not in a corporate environment though. ? And corporate training is ultimately designed to benefit what/ who first and foremost? The corporation and the corporate power structure that keeps the pigs returning to the trough, of course. Don’t believe otherwise.? Though that is at least partially necessary to keep a corporation afloat, I am not impressed by some egocentric blowhard not knowing how and when to stay in her lane when even children can acquire that ability. And if her corporate training was so darn infallible why did it not resolve Jack sh*t? ????
I didn't say infallible and the resolution is it shut Kyle, Sutton and Garcelle the F.U.
Yeah, I know and even though Sutton should have handled it better, Dorit was being an über c*nt in my opinion, first by the HOSTESS keeping her guests waiting nearly an hour over glam ? then by quite intentionally grinding Sutton’s gears.
Boz telling Sutton, Garcelle and Kyle THEY were being rude when none of their ‘rudeness’ (cuz I guess common decency is rude now ?) would have happened had it not been for DORIT’S blatant and abundant rudeness which they were all merely trying to navigate.
So, corporate Oprah and her junior varsity Dr. Phil skillz can have several seats. No one needed her hulking azz over there. They were doing fine. Dorit is the one who needed schooling. ? All that said, imo Boz still needs a second season both for actual potential cuz she has it, and for further evaluation of that potential in case she squanders it with bs. ?
Sutton had it coming and Garcelle and Kyle were being rude. The drama at the front door was ridiculous and Boz called them on it. She's triggering a lot of people and honestly I have no idea why. She hasn't said or done anything that I don't agree with. I really do like her. Now, that's so far so let's see?
I don’t mind her either after putting up with garcelle shaking down everyfuckingbody in re to Sutton being an Ahole for last few years . She hadn’t been nasty to anyone . She puts a stop to bs , she called them out for being rude which , they are .
So true…she hasn't been nasty at all and she calls out rude behaviour when she sees it. Which they are…rude. I have no idea why the negativity blast from some. I'm perplexed?
She doesn’t scream , get vulgar, throw tantrums, give ultimatums, or storm off . She addresses the person . And btw garcelle started this whole ok and Kyle texting bs so why is Dorit getting blasted from Kyle the not girl code follower ? Ugh !!!
She's very much a fixer – but I agree with others – she cannot blindly support Dorit (who has caused some issues in the past) and just assume that if Sutton (or anyone is upset) that Dorit is innocent of all charges.
I don't think she does that at all but then again, I think Dorit is right. And I don't really even like Dorit that much ( well in the past but I do like this Dorit). BTW, Garcelle was Sutton's mouthpiece for years and no one disagreed.