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“Be Good at Being Yourself”: RHONY's Luann and Sonja Share Advice for the New Cast
The Welcome to Crappie Lake duo urges the new Housewives to keep it real and to “develop a baseline of trust.”
Between them, Luann de Lesseps and Sonja Morgan have spent 20-plus seasons as full-timers on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York City, which returns for Season 14 with a whole new cast on July 16.
Through their RHONY experiences, Luann, an author, philanthropist, and “Money Can’t Buy You Class” songstress, and Sonja, the designer behind Sonja by Sonja, learned a thing or two about what it takes to make it on Bravo’s beloved reality show. Which is why they’re the perfect pair to share insights and advice for the new NYC Housewives.
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In the run-up to Luann and Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake, which debuts July 9 at 9/8c on Bravo and chronicles their misadventures in small town Illinois, the talkative twosome shared top tips for the six new faces.
Who’s in the Season 14 cast of RHONY?
RHONY’s Season 14 cast includes social influencer and fashion blogger Sai De Silva, model and philanthropist Ubah Hassan, communications and brand consultant Brynn Whitfield, real estate pro and designer Erin Lichy, LoveSeen CEO Jenna Lyons, and publicist and brand consultant Jessel Taank.
While they’re all carving out their unique personal and professional paths in the Big Apple, Sonja and Luann’s advice applies to them all.
Luann's advice for the new RHONY cast
Be authentic. “For the new New York cast, if I were to give them any advice, it’s just to be good at being yourself,” said Luann. “Be true to yourself because the camera doesn’t lie.”
In other words, Luann thinks it's best that the Season 14 Housewives don't overthink it. As Luann said, “The best Housewives are good at just being comfortable in their own skin. I never prepare. I would say to these girls, ‘You can’t really prepare.’”
“It's just one day at a time, one scene at a time,” she added.
In addition to authenticity, Luann also advises Season 14 Housewives to bring it 100%. Half-hearted efforts won’t really cut it.
“They just need to bring their big city game to the table,” she said, adding that the previous 13 seasons of the beloved series have set a high standard.
“I wish them a lot of luck,” Luann cheekily said, “because we’re hard people to follow.”
Sonja's advice for the new RHONY cast
Sonja seconded Luann's advice of just being yourself and authentic. In Sonja’s experience, Bravo viewers are keenly attentive so she cautioned the ladies: “If you start getting a little too heady and you think you're it and you're the show,” she said, “[the viewers] don't really like that.”
Additionally, Sonja urges the new Housewives to try to develop “a baseline of trust” with the group, as well as understanding and “team spirit.”
“When you start bringing in girls that you really don’t know, that’s when people get defensive and they can't really grow together,” said Sonja.
Sonja and Luann give advice on WWHL
While appearing on the Sunday, July 9 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Andy asked Sonja and Luann what advice they would give the new cast.
"Be cool. Don't be like, all uncool," Luann joked referencing her famous quote, while Sonja added, "Be real. Be yourself and show your true friendships."
Sonja then suggested "keep it moving," emphasizing "resolution" is important.
Luann agreed by again quoting herself, saying, "The little things can take you down so it's best to brush them off. Chic, c'est la vie."
Watch the new cast in action when The Real Housewives of New York City Season 14 premieres July 16 at 9/8c on Bravo.
You can catch up on the previous 13 seasons of RHONY on Peacock and the Bravo App.
