Sutton Stracke is opening up about a friendship fans probably didn’t see coming.
After years of tension with Erika Jayne on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Sutton says the two have turned a corner, and it’s been one of the biggest surprises of the season.
“Erika and I did not end our last season reunion well,” Sutton admitted to OK Magazine.
Going into filming for Season 15, she wasn’t sure what to expect.
“I wasn’t quite sure how this was going to go. I think we both treated each other with kid gloves and walked in gently to the friendship with one another.”
That approach ended up working.
“It has paid off. We really got to know each other well. We enjoy each other’s company and that’s been really fun.”
Sutton went on to share how her perception of Erika has changed.
“She’s smart and she’s actually a really good friend. I’ve loved getting to know that side of her. It’s been really nice.”
She added, “So that was a big surprise for me, but also a really joyful one.”
At the same time, Sutton also weighed in on newcomer Amanda Frances, who has had a rocky first season with the group.
“I mean this in the nicest way, but Amanda is not the most likable person,” Sutton said.
“When we say she’s annoying, she is. But she’s also a good person. She doesn’t want to hurt anybody. She doesn’t have an agenda to hurt anybody.”
Sutton suggested that the group may need to look past Amanda’s business persona to really understand her.
“If we can get past her work and her business, then maybe we can get to know her.”
As for the cast trip to Tuscany, Sutton made it clear that while it looks glamorous, it comes with its own challenges.
“Timing is very difficult,” she explained.
“We have to be ready at a certain time. We have to be finished at a certain time.”
And when it comes to shopping, the group never quite wants to stop.
“When we go shopping, none of us really want to leave. We feel like we could keep going.”
Instead, they’re often rushing from store to van to get ready for the next event.
“We’re always left dragging it from a store and into the van in order to get to go back to the villa to go get ready to go out for dinner.”
“And our dinners go really late!”