Jenna Lyons has made the “difficult decision” to quit “The Real Housewives of New York City” after two seasons.
The fashion designer made the announcement Friday, a few days after Andy Cohen revealed at BravoCon 2025 that the cast for the forthcoming 16th season of the beloved reality show had been locked in.
“The rumors ….. are true,” Lyons, 57, told her Instagram followers, going on to share the “backstory.”
Jenna Lyons has made the “difficult decision” to quit “The Real Housewives of New York City” after two seasons. Gavin Bond/Bravo
The fashion designer made the announcement Friday, a few days after Andy Cohen revealed at BravoCon 2025 that the cast for the forthcoming 16th season of the beloved reality show had been locked in. Danielle Levitt/Bravo
Lyons explained that she was asked to participate in Season 16 as a “friend of” the cast given that her “personal life was not really available to be filmed.”
While she and the showrunners initially “agreed that made sense,” Lyons gave it more thought and ultimately decided to “not return” in any capacity.
“I would be the oldest and only openly gay woman on [‘RHONY’] and feel like this is an opportunity for a new dynamic to emerge,” she shared, making sure to note, “I LOVE THE GIRLS.”
“The rumors ….. are true,” Lyons, 57, told her Instagram followers, going on to share the “backstory.” Elder Ordonez / SplashNews.com
Lyons explained that she was asked to participate in Season 16 as a “friend of” the cast given that her “personal life was not really available to be filmed.” bravotv/Instagram
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Lyons then tagged now-former co-stars Erin Lichy, Jessel Taank, Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan and Racquel Chevremont, in that order, leaving out Brynn Whitfield, who announced her departure from the series in June.
“I have so much respect and gratitude to the Entire BRAVO team who produced the show with grace and care,” Lyons marveled.
She expressed gratitude for Cohen “for the opportunity and support,” Sezin “for always treating [them] with so much respect and kindness” and Shed Productions, “who handled all of [their] nonsense and egos with patience.”
While she and the showrunners initially “agreed that made sense,” Lyons gave it more thought and ultimately decided to “not return” in any capacity. Gavin Bond/Bravo
Throughout her time on the series, Lyons filmed with her teenage son, Beckett Mazeau, a handful of times but refused to discuss her love life on camera. Getty Images for Vox Media
The former executive creative director and president of retailer J.Crew expressed the “most” gratitude for “all the fans who have said hi on the street, asked for a photo, supported [her] here on instagram. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU !!!! it’s so incredibly meaningful.”
Lyons insisted she would be “watching and bitching from the sidelines with love and outfit judgement,” signing off with: “Sincerely, JFL,” which famously stands for “Jenna F–king Lyons.”
Throughout her time on the program, Lyons filmed with her teenage son, Beckett Mazeau, a handful of times but refused to discuss her love life on camera.
She confirmed her long-rumored engagement to photographer Cass Bird in October 2024.