Dorit Kemsley felt “empowered” returning for Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 14 after a rough few years on the Bravo show.

“I came out of a very dark time. Post-home invasion, it was really difficult and really dark. I definitely lost my voice and confidence,” Dorit, 48, told Us Weekly exclusively while promoting Words With Friends alongside Dorinda Medley. “When I started to feel more like myself — confident and stronger — and feel better going into this season, I was over it. I was over those who think they can walk all over you at your weakest.”

Dorit told Us that she “wasn’t taking s—” from anyone when filming season 14. Fans can expect to see a “very clear, very sure, very confident, very strong, very firm” version of her on screen.

Initially, however, it was a “difficult” decision for Dorit to come back to RHOBH.

“I knew what was going on with me personally and knowing that to do the show and to go into filming, you really take a moment and you think, ‘Should I do this? Do I wanna do this?’ But ultimately, I thought, yes,” she told Us. “Because if you’re gonna do it, you go all in and you have to lean into it and just be open and honest and vulnerable.”

Related: ‘RHOBH’ EP Calls Season 14 ‘Bananas’: ‘Gangbusters Start’

Executive producer Alex Baskin “could not be more excited” about the direction season 14 of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is headed. “Beverly Hills is bananas. It is off to a great start,” Baskin told The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, May 28. “Obviously, there is a lot going on publicly in their personal lives, […]

Dorit is, of course, referring to her May separation from husband PK Kemsley after nine years of marriage. She told Us that filming this year came at a “fragile” and “sensitive” time in her personal life.

The RHOBH season 14 trailer, released late last month, teased the aftermath of Dorit and PK’s separation. The first look also allowed fans to see some tension between Dorit and longtime friend Kyle Richards.

Paul ‘PK’ Kemsley and Dorit Kemsley. Lester Cohen/Getty Images for Neuro Brands, LLC

“It is an exciting season. It’s thrilling. We’ve got some fresh blood, a new Housewife who’s amazing, beyond,” Dorit gushed, “Very smart, very inspiring, very authentic and down to earth.”

Dorit was referring to newcomer Bozoma Saint John.

“She’s real. She’s not trying too hard and she’s cool. I’m really pleased I bonded with her instantaneously,” she continued, noting that Saint John offered the most support out of all the cast members. “Funny enough, the one that had known me the least was the most there for me. It’s crazy.”

Dorit’s friendship with Saint John has extended “beyond the show,” she told Us.

“She is really fabulous,” the reality star continued. “I think she embodies everything that a Housewife should, but more.”

Related: RHOBH’s Dorit Kemsley Explains What Led to PK Separation: ‘S–t Happens’

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Dorit Kemsley is clapping back at comments about her previously strong marriage to Paul “PK” Kemsley. After Dorit, 47, and PK, 55, announced their separation earlier this week, a social media user asked why they weren’t “stronger than ever” as previously advertised. Dorit responded in the comments. “We […]

Dorit is also gearing up for another season of RHOBH by playing Words With Friends — and getting other Housewives involved.

Dorit Kemsley for Season 14 of ‘The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.’ Phylicia J. L. Munn/Bravo

“It’s therapeutic. It’s connecting in a therapeutic way where it doesn’t take a lot of energy. You don’t have to have communication — texting, calls — but yet you feel like you’re connected,” she said of the game, calling it an “effortless” way to occupy yourself.

Medley, 59, told Us that she and Dorit got to film what she called a “rhythmic,” “believable” and “authentic” commercial for the game.

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“Anytime you’re doing anything with somebody that you have chemistry with — and I really have chemistry with [Medley],” Dorit added. “We connected, obviously through mutual friends, but it was so easy and it was effortless. I was so excited when I knew you were on the project.”

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills returns to Bravo Tuesday, November 19, at 8 p.m. ET.

With reporting by Mandie DeCamp