In a significant shake-up for the reality television world, Jenna Lyons has confirmed her departure from The Real Housewives of New York City. The fashion executive and former J. Crew president announced her exit in a heartfelt statement shared with her followers.
The Announcement
Lyons revealed her decision to leave the Bravo franchise on Friday via a post on her official Instagram account. She described it as a 'difficult decision' that came after considerable thought about her role and personal circumstances. The star was initially set to return for the upcoming sixteenth season in a 'friend of' capacity, an arrangement that acknowledged her limited availability to film aspects of her private life.
Reasons Behind the Exit
In her detailed explanation, Lyons highlighted several factors influencing her choice. She pointed out that she would have been the oldest and only openly gay woman in the cast. Lyons expressed her belief that her departure creates space for a new dynamic to emerge within the show. Despite leaving, she was effusive in her praise for her fellow cast members, naming Erin Dana Lichy, Jessel Taank, Sai De Silva, Ubah, and Racquel Chevremont directly.
Gratitude and Future Plans
The statement was filled with appreciation for the production teams at Bravo and SHED, as well as for executive producer Andy Cohen. She thanked them for their 'grace, care, respect, and kindness' throughout her time on the show. Lyons also reserved special thanks for the fans, whose support she described as 'incredibly meaningful.' She signed off by promising to be 'watching and b***hing from the sidelines with love and outfit judgement,' indicating her continued, albeit distant, connection to the series. A representative for NBCUniversal, Bravo's parent company, declined to comment when contacted by The Daily Mail.
