‘RHOA’ Newbie Drew Sidora Shares Her Connection to Jamal and Gizelle Bryant of ‘RHOP’
Drew Sidora is making a splash as the newest peach holder on RHOA. The actor and singer had previous ties to some of her co-stars and even housewives from other franchises. Sidora recently opened up about how she came to know Jamal and Gizelle Bryant of RHOP.
Drew Sidora previously attended Jamal and Gizelle Bryant’s church in Baltimore
Sidora not only knew some of her RHOA co-stars before joining the cast, but she’s also shaken hands with other Bravo-lebrities.
During her Jan. 3 appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Sidora told Andy Cohen that she used to attend Empowerment Temple, the former church of Jamal Bryant. At the time, Jamal and Gizelle were married.
“She was [married to Jamal], when I did [the movie] Step Up, I was in Baltimore,” Sidora. “And I was attending their church every Sunday for like six months [throughout filming].”
Related: ‘RHOP:’ How Gizelle and Jamal Bryant First Met
Sidora isn’t the only celebrity to have attended Jamal and Gizelle’s former church in Baltimore. Jamal is a renowned pastor who many say is one of the most gifted. Many of his sermons have attracted international press. He grew his church from just a few dozen to over 10,000 members with Gizelle by his side.
Gizelle’s role as First Lady of the church required much work. She opened up about some of the ministry work she did while married to Jamal and what her tenure as First Lady looked like during a 2018 interview with Bravo’s The Daily Dish.
“I did a lot of charity work overseas in South Africa. I helped adopt an orphanage and helped to start a school there,” she said. “So those kinds of things I really do miss, like me touching and feeling and helping the community I really miss. So I try to do it my way with my kids now.”
Drew Sidora debunks rumors that Jamal and Gizelle Bryant are faking their relationship for television
Gizelle and Jamal have been up against rumors questioning the legitimacy of their relationship. The couple have been divorced for over a decade but reconciled nearly two years ago. Gizelle revealed such during the season 4 reunion.
Many, including some of Gizlle Bryant’s co-stars, don’t believe she and Jamal are a couple. Jamal was absent from a few major family moments for Gizelle throughout the season and chose not to attend the reunion.
During the reunion, Gizelle was confronted by Monique Samuels regarding her faking her romance with Jamal for the camera. Samuels presented alleged screenshots of text messages between Jamal and another woman discussing meeting up. The text messages also allege that Jamal told the woman in question his relationship with Gizelle is only “just for reality TV.”
Both Jamal and Gizelle deny Samuels’ claims. Sidora also tells Cohen that she believes the Bryants are indeed a couple and claims Jamal told her himself.
Sidora says she ran into Jamal in the Atlanta airport where he mentioned his relationship with Gizelle. “He shared with me that they were back together. Oh my gosh, I know Pastor Jamal, and he loves this woman. He loves this woman,” Sidora said. “I know a lot of their history, and I believe they really are together and in love.”
RHOA airs every Sunday on Bravo at 8 pm EST.
