A Challenging Reunion for Carole Radziwill

Carole Radziwill’s return to The Real Housewives of New York City has brought immediate friction. During a group brunch featured in the episode that aired on Tuesday, September 15, her fellow cast members wasted no time in steering the conversation toward the late Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, a subject that hit close to home for the 63-year-old star.


The dialogue quickly turned pointed when cast member Jessel Taank asked, “Just ask the question: Was she a bitch?” Although Daisy Toye attempted to soften the query by asking if Bessette-Kennedy was “fun” or someone who would “vibe” with the group, the damage was already done. Carole defended her late friend, noting, “She’s a girl’s girl, like, before there was a thing called girl’s girls.”


Mixed Reactions to Pop Culture Trends

The conversation further soured when the group discussed the “Carolyn Bessette Summer” social media trend, which celebrates the fashion icon's classic aesthetic. Carole made her disapproval clear, stating, “Yeah, I don’t love that. I don’t think you should do that.”


Jessel, appearing unfazed by the growing discomfort at the table, later remarked in a confessional, “Carole is, like, a walking human vibe diffuser.” She further pressed the group about the tragedy surrounding the Kennedy family, questioning if they were “cursed.” This line of questioning left other cast members, including Erin Lichy, stunned by Jessel’s lack of awareness regarding the sensitivity of the topic.


“It doesn’t register to her? That the tragic deaths of my cousins and best friend might be very upsetting to me?” Carole said to the cameras, later adding, “I want to strangle her.”

Jessel Taank Addresses the Controversy

Following the episode, Jessel attempted to walk back her comments during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Page Six Radio. She explained that her questions were rooted in a fashion-industry perspective rather than malice.


“It’s only because from fashion girl to fashion girl, like, we are a little bit bitchy, you know, and cold,” Jessel clarified. She admitted that her word choice was poor, stating, “I maybe shouldn’t have gone with the B-word.”


As the drama continues to unfold, viewers can catch new episodes of The Real Housewives of New York City on Bravo, airing Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.