'RHODubai': Bravo star Lesa Milan hints at possible reconciliation with costar and former close friend Chanel Ayan
DUBAI, UAE: Even in the scorching desert, Lesa Milan manages to find shade. 'The Real Housewives of Dubai' is finally making a triumphant comeback to Bravo with a much anticipated second season, which has been in development for almost two years. Unexpectedly, the closest friends from season one, Lesa and Chanel Ayan, had a serious falling out in the following episodes, which is still quite stressful.
"I'm trusting the timing, and I'm enjoying this space, to be honest." Lesa tells PRIDE, "With all the ladies, I'm in a really good space, except for Ayan."
Though the two old friends are now at odds, Lesa isn't totally ruling out a reunion in the future.
"We'll see! Time will tell. I'm not going to say never. I will just say... I'm trusting in the timing. Birds of a feather flock together, honey! I don't flock with pigeons."
Lesa Milan denies trying to ‘break up’ Caroline Stanbury and Chanel Ayan
Speaking candidly about her sophomore season, Lesa acknowledges that she has misgivings about the friendship between two of her coworkers. Regarding her (former?) closest friend's friendship with an enemy, the housewife sarcastically questioned BOSSIP, "How can I break up something that I don't think is real?"
Even though Lesa has "never had a falling out with" Chanel, she nevertheless gushed to BOSSIP about how much she treasured her friend, but that is no longer the case. Chanel said in the 'RHODubai' teaser that Lesa was attempting to sabotage her relationship with fellow housewife Caroline Stanbury, with whom they previously had a falling out.
Lesa, however, doesn't think that's the case, since she questions the sincerity of Chanel and Caroline's bond.
"You know it makes no sense; I still stand true to that. You know, with Ayana and I, I can’t speak too much as to what happened, because I want you guys to tune in, and I want people’s genuine opinions."
She went on to suggest that their problem may be the result of an alleged betrayal, but she would let the audience make their own decisions.
"I don’t want them to be swayed, so I’m not going to give you my version [of what happened]. I want everyone to tune in and watch, and then be the judge of what they think went down, and who betrayed who."
Along with comparing their broken friendship to a failed romance, the designer, mother, and wife also mentioned that there is still a possibility for a reunion. "It’s kind of like a breakup," Lesa told BOSSIP.
"It really, genuinely is; it’s like a breakup. But you know, like any other breakup, I’ve had many in my life. I kissed a lot of frogs before I kissed and met my husband, so I know how to navigate these waters. It’s sad; it’s disappointing, but I wouldn’t say that it’s irreconcilable. We’ll see what happens. I feel like maybe a conversation—maybe Andy Cohen can get us to talk and figure it out at the reunion, but I have not really spoken to her since we wrapped."
Lesa Milan reflects on rough patch with 'RHODubai' costar Chanel Ayan
Lesa disclosed during a 'Housewives In Every City' live chat at BravoCon 2023 that she and Chanel had experienced a difficult period in Dubai.
Lesa said, "Listen, I love Chanel Ayan. I’ll always love her. Just like most relationships, we’re going through something right now. But let’s see — time will tell if we’ll be back to being the dynamic duo."
During the live conversation, Ubah Hassan from 'The Real Housewives of New York City' commented on the bond in Dubai, saying, "I can second that: They do love each other very much."
Chanel Ayan devastated over fallout with 'RHODubai' costar Lesa Milan
Chanel reacted to Lesa's previous statements about Chanel being two-faced during her appearance on the 'Two Ts In A Pod' podcast. When the hosts asked Lesa if RHODubai's rookie, Taleen Marie, had "bigger energy" than Chanel, she had a few concerns.
"Umm, which Chanel?" She asked. "The Chanel that we get on camera or the Chanel that we get off camera?"
Later, Chanel responded by stating she forwarded Lesa's words to their cast's group messaging. "Brooks said 'no," she explained. "Stanbury said no."
In fact, "Taleen said, You're the most genuine Housewife out of them," she added.
The reality star admitted that the present status of her relationship with Lesa is "heartbreaking for me." She continued, "I don’t throw away friends easily."
