Saying goodbye to The Real Housewives of New York City was easier said than done for Luann de Lesseps.
“It was like a death, because it’s all I’d known for 13 years,” de Lesseps, 60, shared in her Us Weekly cover story, on newsstands now. “A certain part of my life was over, and I wasn’t going to see my girls so that was really hard. And to be not appreciated for all the work we put in over the years to make the show huge, that was difficult.”
After sharing her life with Bravo cameras for nearly 13 seasons, de Lesseps and her original costars were noticeably missing from season 14 when a new cast started filming in 2023.
“In my mind, they should have just mixed the two casts — kept some of us, brought some newbies in and call it a day,” de Lesseps explained. “But it didn’t work out that way. I feel blessed because I was able to move on with my Cabaret career. Cabaret saved my life because I was making well into seven figures while I was doing the Housewives.”
When asked if she’s making a million dollars a year, the “Feeling Jovani” singer replied, “I’m keeping up with what I used to make, yes.”
Amid her continued success, de Lesseps has no intentions of slowing down. Before 2025 comes to an end, the reality star is working on a new tour, which she referred to as the “Love Tour.”
“You know it will be all about my past loves,” she teased about the 2026 production. “My past love affairs on the show, because, you know, I’m always in trouble with a guy on the show, whether it’s a pirate or Harry [Dubin] or a Tom [D’Agostino Jr].”
If de Lesseps had her way, she would be able to film more reality shows while also traveling the country for her Cabaret shows.
“I just feel like it’s very much important for me to stay relevant on TV, to support my Cabaret career,” she explained. “I mean, without the Housewives, I don’t think I would have had a Cabaret career.”
In addition to being an original cast member of The Real Housewives of New York City, de Lesseps has had the opportunity to film a spinoff with Sonja Morgan for Bravo called Welcome to Crappie Lake.
She also went on a search for love when she appeared on the first season of Love Hotel earlier this year. Spoiler alert: She did not find her happily ever after.
While Bravo has yet to officially announce casting for season 16 of The Real Housewives of New York City, de Lesseps is enjoying her reality in and out of the Big Apple.
She still has a positive relationship with Bravo as she attended BravoCon 2025 in Las Vegas last month. The “Money Can’t Buy You Class” singer also remains friendly with her costars, including Ramona Singer and Dorinda Medley.
When looking back on her journey in the spotlight, de Lesseps believes fame is a drug.
“I’m totally addicted,” she said. “I’ve been addicted since I got a bite. I love it.”
For more on Luann De Lesseps, watch the exclusive video above and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly — on newsstands now.
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