Why did Jenna Lyons miss her first BravoCon? 'RHONY' newbie joins co-star Jessel Taank for Diwali festivities
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: The ensemble of 'The Real Housewives of New York City' visited BravoCon 2023 on November 4 but one member of the group was absent. Fashion designer Jenna Lyons was conspicuously absent from the three-day convention.
She did not even attend the group panel 'Let's Hear It for (New) New York' led by Matt Rogers, in which the women of the show revisited their previous conflicts and the dynamics of their first season as Housewives.
Why was Jenna Lyons AWOL from the big event?
"Jenna is at an event tonight, and she apologizes that she cannot be here," Sai De Silva said as the panel began.
While she may have had a valid reason, the Housewives weren't going to let her miss the Bravo event of the year without throwing some shade her way.
"Jenna's in bed with her girlfriend," Brynn Whitfield joked, referring to LoveSeen creator Cass Bird's love interest. "I got a selfie this morning, she's very happy."
"I saw Jenna last night, she’s definitely very happy," Jessel Taank continued.
Jessel and Jenna both attended the 2023 New York Diwali Gala at the Mandarin Oriental New York on November 3, 2023, in New York City.
Diwali, also known as the "Festival of Lights", lasts five days and is celebrated all over the world.
Over 200 people from all backgrounds gathered at the 2023 NYC Diwali Gala for an evening of contemplation and celebration of South Asian culture, with genuine cuisine, engaging entertainment, and gift exchanges.
Jenna may have skipped the velvet couch with her other Housewives to report on the drama of the Anguilla girl's trip or that notorious "Christmas tree" lingerie moment with Jessel, but they assured moderator Matt Rogers that her absence has caused no bad blood with the other ladies.
Jenna later took to Instagram to share a photo alongside her co-star as she channeled the Indian festive energy by donning a completely black outfit designed by Indian fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee.
'RHONY' fans shocked to see Jenna Lyons miss her first BravoCon
Surprisingly enough, 'RHONY' fans were happy to see the former executive creative director of J Crew miss the network's biggest fan convention and attend the Diwali Gala.
On X, formerly Twitter, one user wrote, "I was kind of mad that Jenna never agreed to do Bravocon, but for the good of #RHONY attending this event was the better look."
Another user chimed in, "Hot take: the most NY thing RHONY cast members could *ever* do is bypass #bravocon to attend fabulous parties and occasions *in* NY instead. #bravotv: secure their contracts for s2 asap, please & thanks."
I was kind of mad that Jenna never agreed to do Bravocon, but for the good of #RHONY attending this event was the better look
— Jennifer Grady (@jenngradybklyn) November 4, 2023
hot take: the most NY thing RHONY cast members could *ever* do is bypass #bravocon to attend fabulous parties and occasions *in* NY instead. #bravotv: secure their contracts for s2 asap, please & thanks.
— fromthenorth (@dontknowher3) November 4, 2023
One user further noted, "I'm still a little shocked tbh that they were able to skip bravocon. Especially the fact they are new cast and if it was any another housewives I wonder if they would have gotten the same pass. I know they had this to attend I'm just curious is all..."
One user quipped, "They said they had better places to be, iktr!"
I'm still a little shocked tbh that they were able to skip bravocon. Especially the fact they are new cast and if it was any another housewives I wonder if they would have gotten the same pass. I know they had this to attend I'm just curious is all...
— @Debra Ellen (@DebraRobnik) November 4, 2023
They said they had better places to be, iktr! 😂
— Heavenly’s “Coffee” Mug (@whatswrngwabob) November 4, 2023
Andy Cohen hopes to bring Jenna Lyons back to 'RHONY' Season 15
Andy Cohen opened up about the 'RHONY' Season 14 reboot and was confident of getting Jenna to return to the show's Season 15.
Jenna hinted during an interview on Andy's late-night show 'Watch What Happens Live' that she might not be interested in returning for a second season. Andy discussed the possibility of Jenna returning as the season's preparations began.
"I am confident that I want her to return, and I hope she does," he said.
'RHONY' star Brynn Whitfield’s Louboutins stops escalator at BravoCon 2023
'RHONY' star Brynn halted the show — literally — after making a dramatic entrance down an escalator to join BravoCon's "Ladies Night" panel. Her high heels were entangled in the escalator as she arrived on the stage.
Fortunately, she was able to gracefully leap out of the shoes, which stayed securely wedged between the escalator steps for the duration of the panel, which also comprised Erika Jayne, Jordan Emanuel, Gabby Prescod, Tracy Tutor, and Andy.
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"It's like the Wicked Witch of the West got stuck in the escalator," Daryn Carp, the moderator, remarked. "Do I have to pay for the escalator?" Brynn inquired.