Bravo followers have been shook when the community introduced plans to recast The Actual Housewives of New York Metropolis final yr, however they’ve since come round — thanks largely to Jenna Lyons.
Lyons, 55, was arguably essentially the most well-known member of the brand new RHONY solid earlier than filming started, however she nonetheless appeared like an odd selection to affix the franchise. She made a reputation for herself within the 2010s because the inventive director of J.Crew, and on multiple event, she dressed former first girl Michelle Obama. These are the sorts of bona fides that land an individual in Vogue slightly than a Housewives solid, however Lyons rapidly grew to become a fan favourite.
“I don’t know if I perceive it any higher,” she completely tells Us Weekly of the Housewives’ vocal viewership, “however I do discover the eagerness and the loyalty from the followers actually unbelievable. It makes the method extra enjoyable.”
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The Actual Housewives often rewards stars who’re prepared to reveal all — see Kyle Richards — however Lyons has up to now stored her private life principally off-camera. She hid a complete relationship from her castmates till it was over, then managed to maintain her newest romance (with photographer Cass Hen) fully out of the highlight. Followers typically revolt when Housewives are this tight-lipped, however in Lyons’ case, her “much less is extra” technique has solely made her an even bigger topic of curiosity.
Lyons, for her half, says she’s “one hundred pc” shocked by her new standing as an authorized actuality star. “After my first couple of days filming with massive personalities like Ubah [Hassan] and Brynn [Whitfield], I didn’t suppose anybody would even bear in mind my identify,” she tells Us. “Not to mention fangirl and fanboy on the road.”
Requested to elucidate why she thinks viewers have responded to her so effectively, Lyons says merely, “As a result of I’m cute.”
Her unwillingness to play the sport prolonged to her first reunion, which she attended in — gasp! — denims. “I’ve a deep appreciation for opposites, and there was not a world the place I used to be going to put on a full-length sequin robe,” she explains to Us. “The filming felt like a large remedy session. There have been quite a lot of issues that wanted to be stated, and everybody acquired their likelihood to vent. It was very cathartic.”
Whereas a few of her costars felt she wasn’t at all times exhibiting her true self, Lyons hints that she was, particularly after a producer provided her some useful recommendation. “Simply be your self,” she remembers being instructed early within the season. “The viewers will see proper by way of it should you’re not.”
For extra with the Actuality Stars of the 12 months, decide up the brand new difficulty of Us Weekly, on stands now.
