As she continues to inspire and redefine what it means to be a modern woman in the spotlight, Dr. Wendy reminds us that for her, there are no limits—only endless horizons to conquer.
Team Credits:
Photographer: Erick Robinson
Art Director & Stylist: Oliver Brown
Hairstylist: Monique
Makeup Artist: Tanaya Johnson
Cinematographer: Kevin Chiu
Photography Assistant: Garry G
Hotel Courtesy: The Standard, High Line– New York City
October just got better with Dr. Wendy Osefo: a powerhouse of intelligence, charisma, and style, who’s been turning heads from academia to reality TV and beyond! Born in Nigeria and inspired by her mother’s unwavering pursuit of her dreams, Dr. Wendy has embraced her heritage and values to build a truly extraordinary life. Whether she’s sharing sharp insights on The Real Housewives of Potomac or diving into critical conversations on Season 2 of The Dr. Wendy Show, she brings warmth, wisdom, and a touch of flair to every room she enters. Dr. Wendy’s journey is a bold blend of public affairs, political commentary, and now—entrepreneurship. She’s proof that you really can do it all, balancing her vibrant public persona with her drive to empower, uplift, and represent. For Dr. Wendy, the sky isn’t the limit; it’s just the beginning!
You’ve spoken before about how growing up in a Nigerian household instilled a love for education and excellence. Looking back, were there any specific moments or influences in your childhood that sparked your passion for learning?
I love my Nigerian culture and believe it has shaped me to become who I am today. I witnessed my mom put herself through nursing school and even attend a few of her classes with her when she could find a babysitter. To see my mother so determined to better herself and eventually watch her graduate from nursing school and become the Director of Nursing, made me believe I could do anything I put my mind to.
You’ve spent years teaching and working as a political commentator. What led you to explore new ventures like reality TV and business? Was it a hard decision to make?
So much of who and what I am is shaped by my career path. However, I came to a point when I wanted to try something different and something new. I felt like I had accomplished all the goals I had set for myself, and I wanted to challenge myself a bit. My zodiac sign is a Gemini and one of our traits is we like to be challenged and can quickly get bored. I was finding that I was getting bored of what I was doing. Reality TV and starting a new business has challenged me and I love it.
Joining The Real Housewives of Potomac has put you in the spotlight. How has the show impacted your personal life and your career, both in ways that have been positive and challenging? What’s something you wish more viewers got to see about you that they don’t?
The show has launched me into pop-culture history. The Real Housewives franchise is a pop cultural phenomenon and to be a part of it is so surreal. Whether it is being recognized by fans when I am out with my family or people messaging me to let me know how something I shared on TV resonates with their own lives, it has been a beautiful journey. I wish viewers got to see more of me as a mom and wife. I am really a homebody and enjoy spending time with my family. I wish viewers got to see that side of me more.
With the upcoming election so important, especially for Black women in leadership roles, how do you feel about what’s at stake this year? How do you use your platform to raise awareness and influence the political conversations that matter to you?
Election 2024 is the most consequential of our lifetime. Everything is at stake and for women and black people our freedoms are all on the ballot. Knowing the importance of this election, I have used my platform to work with various organizations that encourage voting rights to ensure we all know what is on the ballot and how we all be civically engaged. Whether it is social media, keynoting a lecture, or writing an op-ed I use my voice and platform to ensure that everyone knows how important it it to engage in the political process.
You wear so many hats—professor, political commentator, entrepreneur, mother—and somehow manage to juggle them all. How do you stay grounded and balanced with so much going on? Do you rely on any routines to keep it all together?
Being a working mom is not for the faint of heart! LOL. It requires balance and it requires grace. As mothers we must give ourselves grace and know that we cannot do it all at 100% every single day. Some days will be better than others, and that is okay. I meditate frequently, I also love to go to the gym and journal. Those things keep me mentally grounded.
You’ve always been a strong advocate for representation and empowerment. How do you personally define success and legacy? What advice would you give to women of color trying to break barriers in industries where they’re often underrepresented?
Success is knowing that once you leave this earth, you left behind something greater than you! We all have a role to play and it’s important that what we do is not just about us, but about others. Leaving a legacy means you left some sort of nugget or roadmap for others behind you to follow and hopefully, in turn they will make the world better as well. My children are my legacy. My students are my legacy. Every person that has ever sent me a message and said they went back to school because they saw me talking about my four degrees is my legacy. We all can impact each other in a positive way, we just have to believe we can.
You’ve been through some pretty intense moments on RHOP, especially regarding relationships with the other women. How do you handle conflict and criticism when it’s playing out so publicly? What have you learned about yourself through it all?
I have learned that I am stronger that I ever knew! It is one thing to go through conflict privately, but to do so publicly is on a whole other level! I have learned to trust myself and to stop second guessing who and what I am. Some people will love you and others will dislike you, at the end of the day it does not matter if you love yourself—the outside noise is just that—noise.
Season 2 of The Dr. Wendy show has arrived, what can we expect from this season? What made you decide to launch The Dr. Wendy show?
The Dr. Wendy Show is an Ode to my career journey so far. I have been a professor and commentator for so long, I just wanted to marry my two passions and do it my way. The show covers topics from pop-culture to politics and hot topics. I want to discuss things that my friends and I love to chat about. I think that often people are scared to talk politics or current events because the topics are sometimes intimidating. The Dr. Wendy show pulls down those curtains and welcomes people from all walks of life to have important conversations in a very informal way. Real life discussion for everyday people. Season two was a must-have for the success of Season 1. We have amazing guests like the White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and amazing topics.
Your PhD in public affairs and your work as a political analyst bring a unique perspective to discussions about culture and policy. What issues are closest to your heart, and how do you hope to make a lasting impact?
I am extremely passionate about the ways policies impact the most historically marginalized groups in our society. From black people to children, I want to ensure that the communities that are historically marginalized are given the opportunities to tell their own stories and be their own truth bearers. We live in a time when things are done TO groups of people and FOR groups of people. I want to change that narrative and have black people and children tell their own stories. One of my favorite quotes is an African Proverb that say’s “Until the Lion tells the story, the hunter will always be the hero”. It is time for us to tell our own stories. When you can be the author of your own story, your impact will last forever.
On a lighter note, what’s something fun or unexpected about you that people might be surprised to learn? Is there a hidden talent or hobby you haven’t had the chance to share on the show yet?
I am such a Foodie! I absolutely love good food and get very upset when I eat nasty food, or I am hungry. LOL. My favorite food is Nigerian food, and I just love the spices and all the goodness that comes with it. Food to me is a love language!
How would you describe your sense of style? On and off the camera.
Fashion is so fun and such a cool way for us to express ourselves. I absolutely love bright colors—yellow and magenta and love being able to switch up my personality based on what I am wearing. Off camera, you may catch me in leggings and a graphic t-shirt to run errands. On camera, I love to play around with different looks, so anything is possible.
Looking ahead, what’s next for you? Do you see yourself expanding into new ventures at some point? How do you see your career evolving over the next few years?
I feel so open and free these days. I see myself expanding into different ventures and trying out new things. I’m in a new chapter of my life where I believe anything is possible. I feel like so often we hold ourselves back out of fear when we should really use that fear to push us forward. The truth is the sky is not the limit it is the view—so we might as well view life from the best lens possible and not hold ourselves back.
