Meet the Real Stars of ‘Real Housewives of New York City’: Sai, Jessel, and Ubah Share Their Stories
NEW YORK — The reality of “The Real Housewives of New York City” largely reflects the individuals it portrays.
For Bravo’s reality stars Sai De Silva, Jessel Taank, and Ubah Hassan, the show picks up where the original cast, including Ramona Singer, Luann de Lesseps, Sonja Morgan, Bethenny Frankel, and Dorinda Medley, left off in its 2021 Season 13.
Season 14 introduced a fresh, more diverse cast featuring Jenna Lyons, Erin Lichy, and Brynn Whitfield. Now, with the premiere of Season 15 on Tuesday (9 EDT/PDT), two new members, Rebecca Minkoff and Racquel Chevremont, are joining the mix.
The evolution of the women on the show is significant: Although they were already successful and attractive before joining, they now carry a more polished and self-aware presence. The cast seems to have learned the ins and outs of reality TV.
Taank refers to the show as “the best mirror.”
“I thought I was just the sweet Indian girl who everyone would love!” Taank, 41, jokes. “Then I watched myself and thought, ‘Wow, maybe I do sound a little spoiled!'”
“I wasn’t sure what to expect,” shares De Silva, a fashion influencer who began as a mommy blogger. “Some people found my blunt honesty to be surprising, rather than refreshing.” Her laid-back vibe didn’t resonate as intended, prompting her to adjust her approach while sharing her thoughts.
Taank, who is also a fashion publicist and the creator of the shopping platform Oushq, felt her British upbringing may have initially not resonated with American viewers. “I was startled watching the first episode of Season 14. I thought I was doing great, but my husband, Pavit, was on Twitter saying, ‘People don’t like you.’ I was in shock!”
“I’m still my straightforward self, but I no longer live for public opinion,” asserts De Silva, 43. “I am who I am. Take it or leave it.”
Hassan, 41, is still figuring out how to juggle her real life with the demands of shooting a reality show, which involves filming all week from Tuesday to Saturday. “Since my family isn’t around, my coworkers have become my family here,” she notes. However, in the world of Bravo, she struggles with being able to properly disengage from filming.
In classic New York style, there’s slight chaos as the trio gathers for an interview. Taank is the last to arrive, but traffic due to the U.N. General Assembly doesn’t help—De Silva even had to jump out of her car and take the subway while Hassan walked a few blocks from hers.
This is just a typical day for the group, who share a bond formed through motherhood, past struggles, and opinions about restaurants, while also facing off over sunglasses, criticism of their spouses, and discussions about private jets.
Taank, who openly shared her IVF experiences on the show, views their platform as a significant opportunity: “I recognize how many women would love to be in our position.”
The trio appears to share a close bond, having transitioned from just being “coworkers” in their inaugural season to forming a true friendship.
“Last season, I felt like we were just coworkers, clocking in while dealing with castmates who annoyed us. This season feels very different,” she adds.
How long this new dynamic will last is still uncertain: the Season 15 premiere hints at a major confrontation between Hassan and Whitfield, along with drama between Lyons and Lichy, and an unexpected friendship blooming between De Silva and Taank, who clashed throughout the last season. The women are mum about their current friendship status.
“I think we’re good,” De Silva states, quickly adding, “At least, that’s the impression I have.”
“If there are certain emotions or feelings, I used to hesitate to voice them, not knowing how to approach it, but I believe we’re now more at ease expressing our true feelings,” shares Taank, who emphasizes that this season involves “fewer walking on eggshells and more authentic expression.”
With reality-TV cameras rolling, every relationship comes under scrutiny. Hassan mentions, “I wanted to share my relationship with Oliver Daschel, my boyfriend from Connecticut, which was kept under wraps and led to last season’s final confrontation with Whitfield. I was keen to discuss it, but felt restrained because he was new to me and this is such a public setting.”
Hassan notes her married co-stars bring a different dynamic, as they come “as a package,” making it challenging to navigate the nuances of dating someone new. “It’s not like we’re trying to conceal our relationships because they’re fresh. That was a bit of a struggle.”
“This season features a lot of character growth,” De Silva observes. “We forged connections in ways we didn’t last year. … It’s going to showcase genuinely formed friendships that shine on camera. There is definitely some tension between friends, which is natural,” she teases, adding, “but you’ll have to stay tuned to see how it unfolds.”
How to watch ‘RHONY’ Season 15
The latest season of “The Real Housewives of New York City” premieres on October 1, airing on Bravo at 9 p.m. EDT/PDT, with episodes available for streaming on Peacock the following day.
