Jessel Taank Opens Up About Being ‘More Guarded’ in Season Two of RHONY

During Season 14 of The Real Housewives of New York, the rebooted cast made their much-anticipated debut, and Jessel Taank certainly made a memorable impression. From the outset, Jessel caught attention with her comment to Erin Lichy that Tribeca was “up and coming”—a statement that surprised many longtime residents of the upscale neighborhood. Jessel also faced scrutiny about her marriage after her husband, Pavit Randhawa, made a rather unusual journey to Vietnam to satisfy his craving for a sandwich, leaving the cast confused. Despite these eyebrow-raising moments, Jessel has taken a more guarded approach in Season 15 of RHONY, proving that you live and you learn.

Jessel Taank Reflects on the Impact of Sharing Her Life on RHONY

In the Season 15 premiere, viewers saw Jessel and Pavit discussing the possibility of expanding their family. Jessel expressed her desire to have a baby girl, but the couple faced the challenge of navigating the difficulties of IVF, a process that can take a significant emotional and physical toll.

Jessel also found herself in the middle of drama once again with Erin Lichy, who felt Jessel didn’t have her back. The ever-busy Brynn Whitfield added fuel to the fire, stirring up gossip by telling Jenna Lyons that Erin had called her “poor”—a remark Erin swiftly denied.

After navigating the ups and downs of her first season, Jessel is approaching Season 15 with a bit more caution. Reflecting on her experience, she shared with PEOPLE, “I think as newbies entering the world of reality TV, we were all a bit shaken once the show aired. It hits you like a tidal wave, and you don’t quite know what to expect.” She added, “Going into season two, I think we all feel a bit more respectful of the process.”

A More Guarded Jessel in Season 15

Jessel acknowledged the intense scrutiny that comes with being part of such a beloved franchise. “People are deeply invested in everything you do and say, and every detail of your life is dissected,” she explained. While she is still committed to sharing her story, Jessel admits she has made some adjustments after her first season. “I don’t want to change who I am, but I felt like I was a little more guarded this season,” she noted. “I’m more aware of the repercussions if you’re not careful about what you share.”

The Reality of Cyberbullying for the RHONY Cast

Sadly, Jessel and her co-stars have also had to contend with cyberbullying—a harsh reality for many reality TV stars. “People think it’s okay to go onto our pages and say some of the most awful things, and it’s not okay,” Jessel shared. She emphasized that the cast wants RHONY to be a fun experience for viewers, while also serving as a platform to share meaningful stories. However, the negative reactions from some corners of the internet have made this difficult. “A lot of us feel we can’t fully share our stories because of how people react,” Jessel lamented.

Catch The Real Housewives of New York on Tuesdays at 9/8c on Bravo, where Jessel and her fellow cast members continue to navigate the highs and lows of life under the reality TV spotlight.