The ladies of Real Housewives of New York Season 14 have already made an impressive mark on the Bravoverse. Some fans love the reboot, while others have nothing but complaints. However, for whatever the reason, viewers are certainly buzzing about the RHONY Season 14 cast.
This extra attention is likely having a big impact on the housewives’ social media followings. While some of the Season 14 housewives have been influencers for years, with a hefty follower count, others have a (relatively) small following.
Regardless of whether the housewives are deemed controversial or beloved, their follower count is going to continue to rise. But how do the Season 14 ladies rank against each other? Here are the RHONY Season 14 housewives ranked from least to most Instagram followers. However, based on how the rest of the season plays out, these rankings could certainly change.
At the bottom of the list is publicist Jessel Taank with just over 56K followers on Instagram. So far this season, Jessel has been somewhat overshadowed by some of her fellow housewives. However, in recent episodes, she’s found herself more at the center of the drama.
Whether it’s her grandiose preschool plans for her two sons or bad-mouthing Tribecca to a hardcore New Yorker, Jessel is certainly stepping up her game on Season 14. As a result, Jessel’s follower count is also growing. She may have the lowest follower count of her castmates, but she gained several hundred just while I wrote this article, which is a good sign of things to come.
As her personality becomes more fleshed-out as the season progresses, the sky’s the limit for how many followers Jessel can gain.
It’s almost surprising to see Ubah Hassan so far down on the list, though at 123K followers, she still has more than 60-thousand over Jessel. As a model it’s not too surprising that Ubah’s follower count would be hefty even before making her debut on RHONY.
Not all of Ubah’s antics have gone over well with fans—her canned food theft from a restaurant, for instance, seemed both inappropriate and staged. However, she’s overall been a very welcome addition to the Real Housewives franchise. Ubah’s personality always shines through, and it’s nearly impossible to not find her charming. She seems to be a great friend, even getting her castmate Erin Lichy decked out in diamonds for her 10th anniversary party.
With all of Ubah’s likability, it’s very possible that she will surpass some of her fellow housewives on this list before the end of Season 14.
Erin Lichy sits around the middle of the pack in terms of followers, with 162K currently. Though she is starting to become a more controversial housewife, her follower count is still steadily increasing.
At the start of the season, Erin’s drama was fairly benign and entertaining, like when she didn’t take her co-stars’ appetites into consideration when serving them up a caviar bar—and nothing else—when they visited her in the Hamptons. But her behavior is starting to get on viewers’ nerves more and more. Erin’s anniversary party was a bit much and more than a little tone deaf, and her blow up at the other women while making christmas wreaths felt childish.
This isn’t even taking into account the controversy surrounding Erin’s past political support. Still, Erin has a solid follower count that is steadily growing. Who knows, if she cements herself as the season’s top villain, she could gain even more hate-followers.
As the breakout star of RHONY Season 14, it’s no surprise that Brynn Whitfield is sitting pretty with 218K followers. Brynn’s personality seems to be equal parts bubbly and catty, which has made her an excellent addition to the cast.
Her flirty nature has made Brynn the center of drama more than once, but she’s also a total riot and a joy to watch. From Episode 1, Brynn stood out from the pack, and her rise on Instagram was inevitable. Brynn’s one liners are epic and her confessionals are always entertaining, but there’s depth to the housewife too. She’s opened up about the difficulties she experienced as a child, which makes her all the more relatable to viewers.
You can almost certainly expect Brynn’s Instagram follower count to grow, though it may be some time before she reaches the upper echelon of her castmates.
Sai De Silva – 526K
(Photo by John Nacion/Getty Images)
The RHONY Season 14 cast’s followers get a huge boost once you get to Sai De Silva, who currently has 526K followers. It’s not too surprising, given that Sai was a social media influencer long before she became a housewife.
As fans can tell from the show and Sai’s Instagram content, her family is of primary importance to her. But a close second may be her appetite. Sai is constantly getting hangry, often as the result of Erin serving up too little food. On RHONY, Sai is always sharp-tongued and never hesitates to say what’s on her mind. It could be part of what’s made her so popular on social media.
Sai may have one of the highest follower counts of her castmates, but she might want to watch her back, because some of the other housewives could creep up on her.
Sitting at the top of the pack is Jenna Lyons, with 554K Instagram followers. The style maven likely built up her follower count over many years as a pivotal member of the fashion industry. Now, as a popular RHONY Season 14 housewife, Jenna’s Instagram is poised to explode.
Though Jenna’s opulent wardrobe leaves even her fellow housewives speechless, she’s surprisingly one of the most relatable cast members. Jenna is quirky and self-deprecating, and has been refreshingly open about her experience as a gay woman discovering her sexuality. It’s no wonder that she has the most followers of any of her castmates, and she’s gaining more every minute. While writing this article Jenna’s follower count jumped by 2K.
Not only does Jenna have the most followers, based on her likability, she’ll probably continue to attract more followers than any of the other RHONY Season 14 housewives.
TELL US – WHICH OF THE RHONY SEASON 14 HOUSEWIVES DO YOU FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM?
Josh Seiter, former star of The Bachelorette and friend of Reality Tea, has passed away aged 36. His family confirmed the news in a statement on social media but did not reveal the cause of death. Josh’s loved ones did, however, encourage anybody struggling with a “mental health crisis” to seek help. That’s a message we should all amplify 10 times over, in the wake of such tragic news.
Josh’s family pay tribute on Instagram
Taking to Josh’s Instagram page to break the news, his family paid tribute.
“It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share the tragic news of Joshua’s unexpected passing,” they wrote. “As all who knew him can attest, Joshua was an incredibly bright light in an increasingly dim world. His fearless voice and indomitable spirit helped thousands of people in their darkest moments feel just a little less alone. Although our heartache at Joshua’s passing pains us beyond measure, we find comfort in knowing that he is finally at peace.”
Josh is someone who had regularly updated his fans on the struggles he faced with mental health. He was open and honest about how he was feeling, sharing each moment of his life in a bid to ensure those who followed him and were also struggling, knew they weren’t alone.
“We hope and pray that his spirit can continue to live on in the pictures and words on this page, which we will leave up for the time being,” his family continued. “While we do that, we would kindly ask for privacy as we grieve. For anybody who is experiencing a mental health crisis and needs help, the 988 SMS Lifeline provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress, as well as prevention and crisis resources.”
Josh had recently parted ways with girlfriend Monica Beverly Hillz, star of RuPaul’s Drag Race. She took to Instagram to pay her own simple tribute, writing “RIP My honey.”
As Real Housewives of New York fans are getting to know the new cast, it seems there is a need to place each of them into a mold. Who is the flirt? Who is the goofy one? And most importantly for related drama, who is the villain?
As far as public negative perception, it seems that Jessel Taank takes the lead on that one. Some of her actions have not been received in the best light. Think about the etiquette involved in receiving gifts with decorum.
But is this perception of Jessel accurate or has production taken liberties with the footage? Well, the RHONY star gave an exclusive interview to Variety to share her side of the story.
Jessel blames “cultural disconnect” for negative public perception
Jessel has a tall order to change public opinion in light of her “spoiled” reaction to Jenna Lyons’ gifting her a lingerie set. She raged that it made her look “like a Christmas tree.” Erin Lichy, called the mother-of-two a “lunatic.”
The British native made the argument that cultural differences are to blame. Jessel has that British dry humor that she claimed her American co-stars just don’t vibe with.
“There was a big cultural disconnect. I feel like I’ve lived in the United States long enough, but I’m still very sarcastic and dry. Things I find funny and dry, people don’t, and I’m like “Wait a minute!” That scene in the first episode where I’m cleaning the table and telling Pavit and my mom, “This place is a mess,” people were commenting, She needs a divorce. Look at the way she talks to her husband and her mom.’ It’s the delivery and tone and how you sound. If someone raised in the States said that, I think people would be easier on them.”
Jessel’s husband Pavit Randhawa called her out on her delivery in a conversation they had together. He suggested that she is unaware of how she is perceived.
Jessel pointed out Jenna’s observations on her own behavior. She said, “I’m also just quirky as a person. I think Jenna says it. There is no malintent with anything I say, ever. Half the time, I feel like I’m laughing and joking and I have a playful tone, but people didn’t tap into that for some reason. They thought I was being contrived, or whatever it may be. No. It’s just sarcasm.”
Perhaps public opinion on Jessel will change as the season progresses. It feels like there are other potential contestants for the biggest villain of the show.
Catch the Real Housewives of New York, Sundays at 9/8c on Bravo.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK JESSEL IS THE NEW VILLAIN? DO YOU THINK IT’S JUST AN ISSUE OF BRITISH HUMOR? WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO HER COMMENTS?
(Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Vox Media)
When last we left the Real Housewives of New York, Erin Lichy has just learned that Sai De Silva dipped out of her anniversary party early. In Sai’s defense, she was hangry and there was virtually nothing she could eat at Erin’s party. Erin is not happy.
Jenna Lyons is overseeing a photo shoot for an eyelash line that will be carried by Target. They’re using real people rather than professional models for the ad campaign. I like that angle. I’ve never worn false eyelashes in my life, but now I want to go to Target and get some.
Jenna has invited Sai to come in and help with casting. As an older white woman, Jenna realizes the importance of having a diverse cast so that women who see the ad will see people who look like them. Sai is there to help with that. “[Sai] better have eaten,” Jenna jokes, “’cause I’m not feeding her.”
When Jenna retells the story of how she got her nickname to soothe a prospective model’s nervousness, Sai is touched. “Watching Jenna bringing out this vulnerability in herself to calm someone else’s nerves I thought was the sweetest and most admirable thing,” Sai said. “But at the same time, like, you are telling your secrets to a complete stranger but you can’t tell your friends? Everybody needs to know.”
Turns out the eyelash company, Loveseen, is Jenna’s business. She has a genetic condition and doesn’t have any eyelashes. That’s why she’s starting her own lash company.
Jenna tells Sai that Erin is upset about the “Irish goodbye” at her party. “I think Erin’s gonna be pissed with you for leaving, just so you know.”
“I honestly … don’t give a f***,” Sai responds. “I’ll deal with it.” Jenna agrees that she probably will.
Meanwhile, over at Erin’s, she and Abe doing a party post-mortem. She says everyone has been blowing up her phone over how amazing it was. “The food was so good,” Erin quotes one texter. Um, what food? Pigs-in-a-blanket don’t count as food, especially if you’re a pescatarian like Sai.
Erin isn’t pleased with the behavior of her friends, though. “They were talking during our vows,” she tells Abe. It wasn’t during your vows, Erin, it was during the interminable speeches prior to the vows. People were standing around starving due to lack of food. I would have been chatting, too.
Then Abe tells his wife about Jessel Taank’s comment: “It’s so cute you guys are renewing your vows.” He had said they never exchanged vows at their original wedding. The rabbi was running the show and all they did was say, “I do.”
But then Abe relays how Brynn Whitfield told him, “Oh, so technically you can get out of the marriage.” Wait till Erin finds out what else Brynn said.
“That’s not acceptable,” Erin says. “It really pisses me off. She came in, she started some sh*t, she said rude things to my husband, she wore her sunglasses the whole time and then she walked out.”
Brynn also made jokes about Abe dating her once he divorced Erin and warned him not to mess up his vows by accidentally saying ‘I take you, Brynn.’ That’s not going to sit well with Erin either.
“I don’t know why you’re laughing,” Erin tells Abe. “I’m, like, disgusted … I’m, like, sick to my stomach. I just don’t even know how I’m supposed to be in the same room as her.” Oh, you don’t even know that half of it Erin.
Jessel‘s wearing “100 hats”
(Photo by: Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images)
Jessel and her husband are out for a nice dinner together. When Pavit comments, “[This is] a cool little area,” I expected her to say it was “up and coming.”
Her mom has been staying with them to help with the twins, but Jessel’s worried about how things are going to be when Mom goes back to England. “I’ve always worn several hats,” the LA
Fashion & Beauty Founder claims. “But now I feel like I’m wearing 100 hats. I have to pick the twins’ clothes. I have to pick Pavit’s clothes.” Pavit doesn’t pick his own clothes? Isn’t he a grown man?
“I have to figure out what they want for breakfast,” she continues. “Do we need to buy another diaper size? And then there’s work stuff.” Welcome to the world of being a working mom, Jessel. Millions of women do it every day, some actually working more than one job while raising children.
The conversation turns to Jessel wanting to have another baby, a girl this time. “I think the castle deserves a little princess,” she interviews.
But Jessel never told her mom they were going through IVF treatments, She feels like she’s been “lying” to her and feels guilty. Pavit thinks she just needs to be honest with her mom and come clean about the IVF before she hears it from someone else. Like a TV show maybe?
Here comes trouble
(Photo by: Charles Sykes/Bravo)
Brynn walks into a classic car dealership, running into her ex-fiancé Gideon. “She’s trouble,” he tells the salesman.
“Gideon and I were together a total of five years,” Brynn says. “When Gideon proposed, we were actually broken up … and I was seeing someone else … The worst thing you’ll ever have to do is call your boyfriend and tell him that you’re engaged to someone else.”
“He’s literally a Prince Charming,” Brynn adds. “I didn’t open a door for five years, I didn’t pick up one tab, I can’t even stand up at a dinner table without him jumping up. He’s a Disney prince.”
“Fancy meeting you here,” Gideon tells her.
They met on Tinder. Brynn was in the process of deleting some “unsuitable” people from her social media when she came across Gideon’s introductory message: “Hope you’re having a lovely day. Thank you so much for swiping right on me. I would love perhaps to take you out for a cup of tea one day. Yours truly, Gideon.” Awwww. He’s adorable. How could she not marry him?
“My recollection,” Gideon tells her, “is that you were the most beautiful person I’d ever seen in my life.”
Attempting to change the mood, she says, “Why don’t you sell my engagement ring, and then you can buy this car?” They were seated in a $235,000 sports car as she said it, but that was pretty cold.
Jessel and her mom are at lunch together. “My mom is my best friend,” she says. “We’re super close. Believe me, as an Indian girl growing up I kept many secrets from my mother … IVF is probably the most serious secret … I need to get it off my chest.”
“There are some things I’ve wanted to tell you,” she finally admits. “It took me a really long time to get pregnant … My doctor suggested IVF. I was not crazy about the idea, but … I was 36 at this point. It was my only option.”
“I did one round,” she adds, “and it didn’t work. And then we ended up doing a second round. It didn’t work.”
“Oh no!” her mom interjects.
“So at that point, I was like, ‘F***,'” she continues. “Now we’re 50 grand in, still no baby. This is also, like, six months of injections and hormones.”
When her mom says she would have gotten on “the next flight,” Jessel says, “I know you would have.” Jessel just didn’t want her mom to worry, knowing that her daughter was going through such a difficult experience.
“I didn’t want to worry you,” the fashion publicist tells her. “At the end of the day, it was not ideal … The thing is, it was very hard to talk about this stuff because in our culture … if I had made it public knowledge, what do you think the response would have been?”
“A lot of gossip,” her mom says.
“I knew it was going to be fine,” Jessel tells her. “And it was. And I got two for the price of one.” She just didn’t want everyone talking about her.
In the end, Jessel’s mom understands, and she’s fine with the information. All that guilt was for nothing, Jessel!
A little holiday wreath-making with the girls
(Photo by John Nacion/Getty Images)
Brynn is hosting a holiday get-together for the ladies. Jessel arrives first. “Here comes Messy Jessy,” Brynn jokes.
Jenna steps out of a car carrying shopping bags of what I suspect are gifts for the other ladies. Jenna never seems to come empty-handed. I just hope Jessel’s gift isn’t a green lacy nightie in a size large that makes her look like a Christmas tree.
She makes it to the door before requesting help. “Are you carrying Jenna Lyons merchandise?” Jessel asks as she hurries to help her.
“This is the last time that I’m gonna get to see everyone before the holidays,” Jenna says, “so this is, like, a bag … It’s sort of a culmination of some of my favorite things, like products that I love … So here’s my Santa pack.”
Sai walks in looking fabulous in “Winter White.” In an interview, Jenna says, “I love someone who overdresses. It makes me happy. Like if everyone was perfect and normal all the time, it would be boring.”
Ubah Hassan is still at home with Covid, so she won’t be coming. I miss Ubah. She’s so bright, silly and fun!
Oh boy, here comes Erin with her axe to grind. She hasn’t seen any of them since her anniversary party. “Darth Vader’s here,” Brynn jokes. Is she referencing Erin’s long, dark coat? Or could it be her black mood?
“You all right?” Jenna asks her. “You don’t seem okay.”
“The energy that is coming in,” says Brynn, “is not very merry or jolly or bright.” Better hide the sharp utensils.
Coming in hot
(Photo credit: Bravo/YouTube)
“I decided to go to this wreath-making [activity],” Erin says, “because I’m pissed off. I want to ruin her party, just like she ruined mine.”
Everyone gets busy decorating their wreaths, but they’re all complaining, saying it’s harder than it looks. Jessel says, “I do arts and crafts with my two-year-olds. I don’t do it for fun.”
“These girls, I think they failed pre-K,” Erin laughs, “because they can’t even glue.” It’s not rocket science, it’s holiday wreaths. Where’s the festivity?
“What’s everybody doing for the holidays?” Sai asks innocently.
“I’m going to the Dominican Republic,” Erin announces. “Like four different families, with a bunch of kids … We have a huge, huge house with, like, our closest cousins. Actually, if you had stuck around at my event, you would have seen the speech from our cousin.” Shots fired!
“There were so many people giving speeches at your event,” Sai answers, “I couldn’t hear a thing, to be honest with you.”
“You left and you didn’t say goodbye,” Erin claps back.
“I was hungry,” Sai says. “There was, like, no …”
“That’s not a reason to leave somebody’s event and not say goodbye,” Erin snaps. “I think it’s incredibly rude, and I think you have bad manners.”
“I don’t care,” Sai shrugs. “You literally were taking forever to change your clothes … I was hungry … Everybody knows how I get when I’m hungry. I go from zero to 100.”
“There was tons of food,” Erin insists.
“No there wasn’t,” Sai argues. “I do not eat meat. There was like piggies in a blanket … I came, I saw and I left.”
Erin turns her sights on Brynn
(Photo credit: Bravo/YouTube)
Next, it’s Brynn’s turn to bear the brunt of Erin’s wrath. “What you did was horrendous,” she says.
Erin’s angry about Brynn telling Abe, “‘Hey, when you get divorced, please let me know.’ At my anniversary party! Do you think it’s normal to do that?”
“You said, ‘Wow, so you’re not actually married because at your first wedding, you didn’t actually say vows,'” Erin continues. “And then you said, ‘Whenever you’re ready to get divorced, please let me know.’ You don’t say that at somebody’s … “
Jessel tries to come to Brynn’s defense, saying, “Erin, I was there … it was a joke. Abe was laughing.”
“I don’t care if it’s a joke,” Erin insists. “To bring up divorce with my husband at my 10-year anniversary party … “
“Yeah, I call him ‘Abe the Babe,'” Brynn responds. “How are you mad about this, but when I wake up in your bed [in the Hamptons] and I joke about Plan B …”
“It’s not a big deal,” Sai interviews. “We all know Brynn loves to flirt. That’s what she does. Does she really want your husband? No.”
“I’m sorry that you weren’t there,” Brynn says, “and that you heard a version of the story and, for whatever reason it upset you … And if you accuse me of flirting with a married man, it’s gonna really get real.”
“It was a f***ing joke,” she adds. “Cause the party was f***ing boring.”
“Okay, I don’t want to be here anymore,” Erin says, getting up to leave. “I’m, like, not enjoying myself.”
As everyone begs Erin not to leave, Sai throws fuel on the fire with, “Bah humbug, Erin. Come sit down.”
Erin throws out, “You guys all suck,” as she grabs her coat and marches out the door. And to all a good night.
Santa Jenna hands out the goodies
(Photo credit: Bravo/YouTube)
Too bad Erin had to leave because shortly afterward Jenna started handing out presents. Bags full of goodies for everyone.
“I love receiving gifts,” says Brynn. “But when it comes in bulk, it’s kind of a little weird.”
Jessel enthuses over everything. “Jenna,” she says, “you’re so thoughtful always.”
“I think [Jessel’s] hyperaware of our past experience together,” Jenna laughs.
“I’m on a thank-you tour now,” Jessel says. “Thank you. It’s amazing. Thank you.” Always a safe choice when you receive a gift, Jessel.
“I love the gifts,” Sai voiceovers. “But… I think there’s some … ulterior motive. Every gift has her name or a collab on it.” Obviously, Jenna’s clearing out her closets, but just stick to Jessel’s plan and say thank you, Sai.
“I don’t think Jenna has an expectation that we’re all gonna share on social,” Brynn says. “I think she has an assumption … that we all will.” You’re not wrong, but I’d still love to have one of those bags.
When they get Ubah on Facetime, they all say how much they miss her and hope she gets well soon.
“I miss you guys very much, too,” Ubah says between coughing fits. “By the way … is there food there today?”
They put the phone next to the buffet and told her to knock herself out. “All you can eat,” Sai says. “Do your thing.”
But Ubah is not impressed. “Girl, I saw the food,” she interviews. “I’m actually happy I wasn’t there.”
Real Housewives of New York continues on Sundays at 9/8c on Bravo.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK ERIN WAS RIGHT TO BE ANGRY WITH SAI FOR LEAVING WITHOUT SAYING GOODBYE? DO YOU THINK BRYNN WAS JUST JOKING AROUND WITH ABE OR WAS SHE FLIRTING WITH HIM?
