Entertainment News | TV & Film
The cast of Bravo’s highly anticipated The Real Housewives of New York reboot was recently revealed at BravoCon 2022. Among the housewives announced was former J. Crew designer Jenna Lyons, who is set to be the first openly queer housewife in RHONY history.
Lyons took to Instagram following the official cast announcement. “I've had the most incredible messages from people I haven't heard from in a really long time, and it feels so nice. Thank you. I know this is a really unusual and unexpected thing, but thank you to everyone who's been so kind."
GLAAD Vice President of Communications & Talent Anthony Allen Ramos reacted to Lyons's casting in a statement saying, “Bravo has a long history of casting interesting, entertaining, and dynamic LGBTQ people in their highly popular programming.”
Ramos went on to say, “ It’s exciting to see Jenna Lyons, a highly successful woman in business and a member of the LGBTQ community, join the newly rebooted ‘The Real Housewives of New York City which is one of the network’s most beloved series.”
Lyons rose to fame in the early 2010s as the lead designer for J. Crew, where she turned the then-fledgling brand into a household name.
Throughout her 26 years at the brand Lyons styled major public figures such as Michelle Obama, Meghan Markle, and Beyoncé, prompting the New York Times to give her the superlative title the, "Woman Who Dresses America".
After departing J.Crew in 2017 Lyons co-founded the direct-to-consumer beauty brand, LoveSeen, where she acts as CEO.
Jenna was married to Vincent Mazeau, an artist, for nine years before they decided to call it quits in 2011, according to Hello Magazine. The former couple also share a son named Beckett.
After splitting from her husband Vincent, Jenna went on to embark in a relationship with Courtney Crangi, the sister and business partner of jewellery boss Philip Crangi. However, the couple split in 2017 after six years together.
Lyons is no stranger to reality television, previously headlining her own show on “Stylish” on HBO Max, the 8- episode series documented Lyon and her team of designers as they tackle design projects ranging from launching a fashion brand to home renovations.
Following the season finale of RHONY season 13 in September 2021 the show was paused.
In March 2020 Executive producer Andy Cohen told Variety he was looking to reboot the franchise.
“We’re looking for a group of women who are real friends, and who are of diverse backgrounds, races, and religions.”
Cohen added: "What we’re looking for is everything that makes a great Housewife: fun, opinionated, successful, aspirational women who represent a side of New York that we want to see more of.”
The new iteration of RHONY is set to debut in 2023 and will follow Lyons, Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Erin Dana Lichy, Lizzy Savetsky, Jessel Taank, and Brynn Whitfield as they navigate life and their careers in New York City.