It's not every day you come across a four-time Olympic gold medalist who is also a cast member of one of the most popular reality TV shows. But Sanya Richards-Ross, the track and field superstar turned Real Housewife of Atlanta, is exactly that. In an exclusive interview, Sanya opens up about her family, her marriage, and the dynamics of being part of the Real Housewives franchise.

With her infectious energy and undeniable charm, Sanya effortlessly commands attention both on and off the track. But it's her family that truly steals the spotlight. Living in a multi-generational household with her sister and parents, Sanya proudly showcases the joys and challenges of coexisting and working together under one roof. "We're very supportive of each other, and I think it's a really cool element to bring to the show," she shares.

When it comes to her marriage to husband and NFL player Aaron Ross, Sanya's face lights up. Their strong bond and evolving relationship have been the pillars of their success. "We communicate really well, give each other space and grace to grow," she explains. Surprisingly, she says, being on TV has actually brought them closer together, as they have embraced the experience as a team. Sanya says she is grateful that the show has not negatively impacted their marriage, unlike many previous housewives, but deepened their connection. “We've been really intentional about doing this together and enjoying the experience. So it's been a lot of fun for us.”

As many of us have seen with Sanya in both of her seasons, living with family can be both a blessing and a challenge. On the show, Sanya showcased her family dynamics and is candid about the complexities of all living together, and with her husband asking Sanya when they would move out this season, the situation has become even more complicated. As she humorously puts it, "When it's your own family, you give people a lot of passes." Despite the occasional hurdles, Sanya hopes her husband will be patient as they navigate their family's next chapter. “ I know for my husband, sometimes it can be challenging to live with your in-laws for so long, but I still think we gotta find the right timing.”

Navigating family is nothing compared to the friendships within The Real Housewives of Atlanta, as Sanya finds herself caught between divided loyalties this season. Her close relationship with Marlo Hampton, another cast member, has caused some tension with others, particularly Kandi Burruss (whom Sanya had gotten close to between filming) and Kenya Moore. “It gets a little bit tricky because no matter what you do, one person feels like you're choosing sides.” However Sanya says she and Kandi are okay for now: “We're in a good spot right now, but you'll see as the season progresses, you know, we kind of have our ups and downs as we try to navigate kind of the group friendship while also trying to build our individual friendship.” However, when it comes to Kenya, Sanya believes that she struggles to understand the depth of her friendship with Marlo, which sometimes creates the visible friction. “Kenya and I are still trying to figure it out. When her and I are by ourselves, we're magic, we have a lot of fun. But when we're with the group, I feel like sometimes she just feels a little bit lukewarm because me and Marlo are so close.”

As the season progresses, alliances and divisions are becoming more pronounced. Sanya admits the need for unity and hopes that the relationships within the group can be repaired. While some conflicts may take time to resolve, Sanya believes in the collective strength of the ladies and the irreplaceable sisterhood they share. “I think the group's in a good spot and I think that most of the relationships are definitely repairable. I just think the toughest one is obviously Kenya and Marlo, but it's always my hope that they can find common ground and you know, just be, at least be cordial when they're together.”

This season also sees the return of familiar faces such as beloved model Cynthia Bailey, who Sanya expresses admiration for and hopes will bring her magic back to the show: “I absolutely love Cynthia. She filmed with us a couple of times this season and she just brings this great energy to the group that is undeniable.” Sanya did not, however, get to see Kim Zolciak, who will also appear this season and is currently in the midst of a divorce from her husband ex-NFL player Kroy Biermann. “I haven't had a chance to really interact with her but I am obviously heartbroken for her and her family.”

For anyone transitioning from the world of track and field to reality TV is no easy feat, but Sanya has seamlessly made her mark. Her experience with her own family reality TV show, Glam and Gold, prepared her for the nuances of a reality show, yet joining the Real Housewives presented new challenges. Navigating the dynamics and establishing genuine friendships takes time, but Sanya remains determined to bring out the best parts. "I'm really working on that and hoping to bring the best part of RHOA, which I think is the sorority and the friendships, back to the show."

As an accomplished Olympian, Sanya shared that her athletic career had prepared her to handle the pressures of reality TV. Drawing from her experience, she emphasized the importance of focusing on what is truly important and staying true to oneself amidst the noise: "In sports, I had to learn to quiet the noise and to focus on what was important and to go out and execute and do my best. And in the same vein, I think that in this space, it's about not focusing on what would the fans want you to do, or what are the fans saying. It's just about what feels good to me, what's real for me, and how I want to show up."

Sanya also addressed some misconceptions some viewers might have had and clarified that she is often perceived as “wishy-washy” when it comes to forming friendships within the group. She explained that she aims to give everyone a fair chance and evaluate each situation independently, rather than aligning herself based on existing dynamics: "I think people have a misconception of what it looks like to be learning new friends and figuring out which ones are going to be more meaningful in your life while also trying to be a part of the group."

When asked about Ultimate Girls Trip, Sanya revealed her interest in participating. She shared her dream cast: "I guess if I were to put together my ultimate girls trip, I would want to meet somebody from every city. So maybe Wendy Osefo from Potomac, Kathy Hilton from Beverly Hills, Guerdy from Miami, and Teresa Giudice. That would be a cool cast."

As The Real Housewives of Atlanta season unfolds, we can look forward to witnessing Sonya Richards-Ross's authenticity and her efforts to continue to foster genuine connections within the group. Sanya also expressed gratitude for the positive response she has received from fans and the opportunity to share her passions on the show. She hinted at upcoming projects, such as discussing the World Championships in track and field, her continued work on "Mommi Nation", a resource supporting Black mothers, and a surprise launch scheduled for Christmas which we will make sure to post about.