Jenna Lyons has made the “difficult decision” to leave The Real Housewives of New York City after two seasons.
The fashion designer made the announcement on Friday, days after Andy Cohen revealed at BravoCon 2025 that the cast for the upcoming season 16 of the hit reality show has been confirmed.
“The rumors… are true,” Lyons, 57, told her Instagram followers, before going on to share “the inside story.”
Lyons explained that he was asked to participate in season 16 as a “friend” of the cast because “their personal lives can’t really be filmed.”
Although she and the showrunners initially “agreed that it made sense,” Lyons mulled it over further and ultimately decided “not to return” in any capacity.
“I think I’ll be the oldest and only openly gay woman on[RHONY]and I feel like this is an opportunity for a new dynamic,” she shared, making sure to mention, “I love the girls.”
Lyons then tagged former co-stars Erin Ritchie, Jessel Tank, Cy de Silva, Uva Hassan and Raquel Chevremont, in that order, with the exception of Bryn Whitfield, who announced her exit from the series in June.
“I have so much respect and gratitude to the entire BRAVO team for producing the show with such grace and care,” Lyons said.
She thanked Cohen for “giving them the opportunity and support,” Sejin, “for always treating[them]with so much respect and kindness,” and Shed Productions, “for patiently dealing with all of[their]nonsense and egos.”
The former executive creative director and president of retailer J.Crew expressed her “biggest” gratitude to all the fans who have greeted her on the street, asked for photos, and supported her on Instagram. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! It means so much to me.”
The Lions claimed they would “stand by and complain with love and sartorial judgment,” and concluded with “Sincerely, JFL” (an abbreviation for the famous “Jenna F. King Lyons”).
During her time on the show, Lyons was photographed several times with her teenage son, Beckett Mazo, but she refused to discuss her love life on camera.
In October 2024, she confirmed her long-rumored engagement to photographer Cass Bird.
