The Real Housewives of New York have given so much to the world: Dorinda Medley’s “Not well, bitch” catch phrase; Ramona Singer yelling “Elegance and class! Where did it all go?” while dressed in Holly Golightly-ready pearls and a little black dress; Bethenny Frankel, to name a few. So, when the new cast of the franchise — now entering its 14th season — was announced back in 2022, it promised to deliver fresh air to a show plagued by 2000s socialites, near-royalty members, and the occasional Candace Bushnell appearance.
The show — out July 16 — includes cast members Sai De Silva, a New York-raised content creator; Erin Lichy, a luxury real estate agent; Jessel Taank, a fashion publicist and brand consultant; Ubah Hassan, model and philanthropist; Brynn Whitfield, a communications specialist; and Jenna Lyons, former J.Crew creative director and founder of eyelash company LoveSeen. Lyons is perhaps the most surprising of the group. As The New York Times later noted, Lyons is an “unlikely housewife.” Not only is she the first-ever gay cast member in the franchise’s history, but Lyons has built a public persona that’s far from the drama-ridden world of the Bravo show.
Moreover,…
