Luann de Lesseps is sharing her thoughts on the ongoing backlash being dealt to The Real Housewives of New York City.
After the series was fully recast ahead of its 14th season in 2023, Luann, 60, revealed what she believed led to fans’ negative reception of the group, explained how she feels Bravo should move forward, and confirmed if she was open to a future return.
“I think the first problem was that they had an all-new cast and they didn’t keep the OGs,” Luann explained to Parade on June 30. “I think that was a big problem, and I’m sure they realized that was probably not the best. But it is what it is. It happened, so let’s see what they’re gonna do moving forward. Watch what happens! You gotta watch what happens!”
“I think that they should combine the cast,” she added, suggesting that some of the women from season 15, which included Jenna Lyons, 57, Sai De Silva, 44, Ubah Hassan, 41, Erin Lichy, 38, Jessel Taank, 45, and Brynn Whitfield, 39, (who confirmed she will not be part of season 16), should team up with members of the original series.
Looking back at the former group, which included longstanding cast members Ramona Singer, 68, and Sonja Morgan, 61, Luann said the lineup was “epic.”
“It’s like Sex and the City, right? Those days — you capture them and, thank God they’re captured on film, right? Because I can’t get those back. It’s that kind of thing,” she stated.
Looking ahead, Luann said she knew that Bravo had “talked about [bringing it back]” as she considered her possible comeback.
“I don’t know where they stand on that and where the girls stand. Ramona [Singer] has moved to Florida. Sonja [Morgan] moved to Florida. She finally sold that townhouse, thank God. And you know, [Jill Zarin] is in Florida. [Kelly Bensimon] and I are in New York, and [Dorinda Medley]. So, you know, we’ll see what they cook up. I never say never. I say maybe,” she revealed.
Also during the interview, Luann spoke of her appearance on Acorn TV’s Murdoch Mysteries.
“I was excited to be part of a series that has been going on for many, many, many years. The cast is incredible,” she shared. “The cast [was] very helpful and very free with me on set, and everybody was so excited that I was coming. It’s like Martha Stewart meets Snoop Dogg, do you know what I mean? It’s such an odd pairing, but it works, so I think the fans are going to love it.”
“I think the fans of Murdoch, the fans of mine, are going to love it,” she added.
The Real Housewives of New York City is currently casting for its upcoming 16th season.
