Luann de Lesseps is firing back at reports that claimed she jeopardized production of the upcoming new season of The Real Housewives of New York City by partying maskless.
The mother of two was recently spotted maskless at an indoor birthday party in Coral Gables, Florida, with friends, including former Real Housewives of Miami stars Alexia Echevarria and Marysol Patton.
Multiple media reports surfaced on Wednesday claiming that show insiders thought it was “outrageous” that Luann was putting the production further at risk after filming for Season 13 was shut down because one of her castmates tested positive with COVID-19.
But de Lesseps revealed that party organizers had required a negative COVID test before attendees were allowed inside the event and that she had been wearing a mask at the party.
“I took the mask off for some photos,” she told Page Six. “Knowing everyone had tested negative, I felt comfortable doing that.”
She added by saying that she’ll quarantine when she gets back to New York.
Earlier this month, it was reported that an RHONY cast member tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
News of the unnamed cast member’s COVID-19 battle was first reported by Page Six on Thursday, January 14. The same source told Us Weekly that it’ll be “up to the person” who contracted the respiratory virus to disclose their diagnosis.
In October 2020, filming on RHONY was partially suspended after a crew member tested positive. Despite a report claiming at the time that production on season 13 was shut down after a member of the cast tested positive, a source close to the production said that “a Housewife never tested positive for coronavirus.”
The new season will feature returning HousewivesLeah McSweeney, Luann de Lesseps, Ramona Singer, and Sonja Morgan. They will be joined by newcomer Eboni K. Williams, who made history as the show's first Black Housewife.
Photo Credit: Bravo Media/NBCUniversal
