Few reality TV stars have transcended their franchises quite like Countess Luann de Lesseps. As an original cast member of The Real Housewives of New York City, she wasn’t just another name in Bravo’s ever-growing universe—she became a pop culture icon.
With her regal title, effortlessly quotable one-liners (“Even Louis Vuitton makes mistakes”), and a rollercoaster personal life that played out on screen, Luann was always more than just reality TV drama—she was entertainment gold. But where many Housewives fade into obscurity once the cameras stop rolling, she has reinvented herself.
She has built a thriving career as a cabaret performer, selling out shows around the world, and winning over an entirely new audience. From New York to London, she’s graced the stage in sequins and Jovani, belting out hits with her signature charm, all while A-list fans watch from the crowd.
Ahead of her sold-out performances at London’s Adelphi Theatre, Luann reflected on her unexpected friendship with Oscar winner Tilda Swinton—a bond that began after one of her cabaret shows and quickly turned into an instant connection. Their friendship even led to an invitation to Swinton’s breathtaking Scottish estate, an offer the Countess eagerly accepted.
“I love people for their authenticity,” she told The Standard. “That’s why I love Tilda—she’s authentically Tilda, right? Like I am polar opposite, you know? But when I met her, she said, ‘I do adore you. You spread so much joy around the world.’”
“And it was just, you know, an instantaneous friendship.”
But Swinton isn’t Luann’s only famous admirer. Nicola Coughlan also surprised her by showing up at the Mighty Hoopla festival last summer, where she was performing. “I had no idea she was a fan of mine. So, I mean, it’s just epic for me,” she admitted. And Coughlan isn’t the only star cheering Luann on—Rihanna, Chrissy Teigen, and John Legend are among the A-listers who have shown their love for the reality star turned cabaret sensation.
“You know what? I never know who's going to show up at my cabaret,” Luann said. “I was so shocked when Tilda arrived. But, you know what? Life is a Cabaret,” she shared before adding: “Like, Rihanna’s a big fan. A lot of celebrities in the US—Chrissy Teigen and her husband, the amazing John Legend, right?
“I mean, I just never know who's gonna show up. And that's what I love about it, because that excites me—who's gonna be in the audience?”
And while she’s currently busy entertaining crowds across Europe, Luann hasn’t forgotten her Bravo roots, revealing she’s been in talks with producers about sending the Real Housewives of New York OGs on another adventure, and she has her sights set on Below Deck.
“They love it! They already have the yacht there. Captain Sandy is ready to go. Let’s go!” she enthused, adding that she’s been actively discussing the idea with Hayu. “I've already been talking to them about that, so hopefully that's going to happen.”
With the Real Housewives franchise continuing to expand, Luann also had some words of wisdom for the cast of the upcoming Real Housewives of London - and revealed that producers had been in touch with her about casting some of her friends over this side of the pond.
Having spent time in the UK and built a fanbase there, she knows the pressure that comes with putting your life on reality TV.
She shared: “The producer texted me saying, 'Do you have any friends in London?' I said, 'Not friends that I want to put on TV show'. I have a lot of friends, but they wouldn't do a show like that. You know what I mean? Because they just don't want to open up their lives.
“Because guess what? Then you've opened up Pandora's Box, which is, if you have any skeletons in there, they're going to come out.” While she might be putting any pals forward, she admitted she’d like to see Lisa Stansfield appear on the London installment as she’s a big fan “her music”
Luann & Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake and all seasons of The Real Housewives of New York are available to stream on Hayu now.
