RHONY's Jessel Taank Calls Jenna Lyons' Decision to Keep Girlfriend Cass Bird Off Camera 'a Double-Edged Sword' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

From left: Jessel Taank, Jenna Lyons and Cass Bird.Photo:John Nacion/Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty

John Nacion/Getty; Kevin Mazur/Getty

Jessel Taankis weighing in onJenna Lyons' decision to keep her girlfriendCass Birdoff camera.

During an exclusive interview with PEOPLE,The Real Housewives of New York Citystar, 41, shared how she felt about Lyons keeping her private life private while discussing her own experiences with showcasing her marriage on camera.

“You can’t really force someone to all of a sudden share their lives on national television. And so I think that’s kind of where Jenna and Cass, their mindset is at,” she added.

(L) Jenna Lyons and Cass Bird.Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com/Shutterstock

Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com/Shutterstock

In video shared to social media in March,Bravoconfirmed that the former J.Crew executive would be returning to the franchise in season 15, alongside Taank,Sai De Silva,Ubah Hussan,Erin Dana LichyandBrynn Whitfieldafter months of speculation.

On the same day the network announced her return, Lyons toldThe New York Timesthat she was putting up a few boundaries and would be keeping her loved ones — including Bird — off camera.

“I have a relationship, but I would like to not name her,” she said at the time. “I want to keep her out of the press. That is my commitment to her. It’s off the table. I joined this process. She did not.”

(L) Cass Bird and Jenna Lyons.Jenna Lyons/Instagram

Jenna Lyons/Instagram

In her conversation with PEOPLE, Taank reminded fans that Bird was a photographer and preferred to be “behind the lens.”

“She’s not a very public person. She definitely socializes, but it’s not her choice to be on a national television show,” the mom of two explained. “And you’ve got to respect that. So I think as hard as it might be for people to understand, they’re getting Jenna Lyons, which is in my opinion, best thing in the world. So I think they should be happy with that.”

Lyons isn’t the only one whose chosen to keep their partner on camera. Taank revealed that de Silva’s husbandDavid Craigwill also be making sparse appearances this season. While he’ll still be around in “family settings,” she said David hasn’t filmed much with the entire group.

“That’s completely fine,” she added. “It’s like we love David and we’ll see him off camera, but if he’s not comfortable being on camera, then there’s not much you can do about that.”

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The Real Housewives of New York Cityairs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.

source: people.com