Skip to main content

The Real Housewives of New York City fans dealt with a serious cast shakeup a couple of seasons ago. Bravo elected to start the series fresh with a brand new cast. While the new cast took some getting used to, viewers largely agree that the fresh spin on the classic installment was a good move. Now, Bravo is adding new characters to the cast. Designer Rebecca Minkoff, who will be joining as a friend, insists agreeing to appear was a sound business decision.

Rebecca Minkoff believes joining ‘The Real Housewives of New York City’ cast was a good business decision

When Minkoff was first rumored to be joining the cast of The Real Housewives of New York City, not everyone was convinced she would make sense as a cast member. Minkoff’s style is very different from those who joined the cast a couple of seasons ago. Her personality and vibe are a bit different, too. Still, the designer insists joining the cast was a no-brainer.     

Rebecca Minkoff attends Glamour Women of the Year 2023 at Jazz at Lincoln Center on November 07, 2023 in New York City
Rebecca Minkoff | Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Glamour

In a chat with Elle, Minkoff revealed that she sees The Real Housewives of New York City as a place to revamp and reinvigorate her brand. She told the publication that it was simply a smart business decision. She thinks joining the cast will allow her to get back in front of her customers. Minkoff hopes she can regrow the brand that made her famous. The publication points out that a TV appearance in 2001 helped popularize Minkoff’s brand of handbags and clothing.

Who rounds out the cast of ‘The Real Housewives of New York City’?

Minkoff won’t be joining the cast of The Real Housewives of New York City as a full-time housewife, at least not yet. Instead, she’ll be taking on the role of “friend of” in the upcoming season. The rest of the cast will be doing most of the heavy lifting. So, who exactly is slated to appear in the upcoming season?

Wearing black outfits, Racquel Chevremont, Sai De Silva, Jessel Taank, Jenna Lyons, Erin Lichy, Brynn Whitfield, and Ubah Hassan pose for the cast photo for 'The Real Housewives of New York City'
Racquel Chevremont, Sai De Silva, Jessel Taank, Jenna Lyons, Erin Lichy, Brynn Whitfield, and Ubah Hassan | Danielle Levitt/Bravo via Getty Images

Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Erin Lichy, Jenna Lyons, Jessel Taank, and Brynn Witfield are all set to return for their second season following the complete cast revamp. Racquel Chevremont, a Brooklyn-born art curator, is set to join for her first season as a housewife. Minkoff is the only “friend” listed for the upcoming season.

When does the upcoming season premiere?

Fans will soon have a chance to decide if Minkoff is a good addition to the cast. The upcoming season will premiere on October 1. Bravo dropped a trailer for the season in late August. Based on the trailer, there will be no shortage of drama to discuss, especially when it comes to Minkoff joining the cast.

Related

‘RHOBH’ Star Lisa Rinna May Have Just Made Her Most Shocking Claim Yet as Crystal Kung Minkoff Alludes Some of the Cast Has Already Been Fired

In the trailer, Whitfield, a communications consultant, commented bitingly about Minkoff and her brand’s fall from popularity. Whitfield quipped that everyone would be familiar with Minkoff if they shopped at Nordstrom Rack, a sister chain to Nordstrom that offers designer brands at discount prices.