Luann de Lesseps says it was ‘a rocky start’ with new Housewife Eboni K. Williams

Countess Luann de Lesseps is returning for her 13th season with the Real Housewives of New York City.

Lu exclusively dished on her ‘rocky start’ with the newest member of the cast, Eboni K. Williams, in an exclusive chat with DailyMailTV ahead of the RHONY season premiere.

The performer also revealed that she has a Christmas song coming out in the fall and plans to return to the stage with new tour dates for her iconic cabaret. 

‘This season is a powerful one because we got through a lot,’ Luann reflected. ‘We got through a pandemic, we got through an election, Black Lives Matter was happening as well – and so there was a lot. It was a very tumultuous year, needless to say, and we were filming while it was happening.’

Season 13 of the RHONY was shot amid the pandemic under strict COVID-19 protocols and production was actually halted more than once due to the coronavirus.

However, because of lockdown restrictions and a smaller than usual cast this season, the Housewives were positioned to get closer than ever.

‘It was a very bonding experience, too, because it was just the five of us,’ said Luann. ‘We got very tight. We have a lot of fun and, of course, when you throw that many women into the mix, there’s always going to be conflicts.’

In the trailer for season 13, fans got a preview of some of the conflicts that will be cropping up in new episodes. 

Ramona Singer and Sonja Morgan butt heads over Sonja’s drinking and newcomer Eboni K. Williams is seen clashing with Luann.

‘She comes into the show – and she’s new. It’s not an easy cast. As you know, we’ve been around for 13 years,’ Luann explained of Eboni’s arrival. ‘So it’s not an easy place for her to walk into and that starts off a bit rocky. And, there’s nothing wrong with that.’

‘It’s a group of very strong women. Eboni is a strong lady. She’s a lawyer and she’s smart,’ she continued. ‘I have a lot of respect for her. So the relationship progresses and, I’m happy to say, in a good way.’

Eboni joins the cast as the first black Housewife in the franchise’s history after the departure of former Housewife Dorinda Medley, who Luann said she missed this season. 

Lu then teased that some familiar faces could pop up in upcoming episodes, particularly Tinsley Mortimer and Jill Zarin.

Luann’s short-lived pandemic relationship with personal trainer Garth Wakeford will also play out in season 13.

‘I met Garth during the full-on pandemic. It was just nice to have a guy to wrap your arms around because, you know, it was lonely,’ she said. ‘It started kind of fast and furious and then it kind of fizzled.’ 

She added: ‘We ended it very friendly and so I can’t say enough nice things about it.’

GRAB: ‘I’m actually coming out with a Christmas song this fall,’ Lu dished. ‘You’re going to see some of the Housewives around and in collaboration with me on the song. I’m just taking it very cautiously and when I get back on stage, I want it to be a full house and packed to the gills.’  

Outside of the show, Lu has been working on new music and plans to begin performing her beloved cabaret show again.

‘I’m actually coming out with a Christmas song this fall,’ Lu dished. ‘You’re going to see some of the Housewives around and in collaboration with me on the song. I’m just taking it very cautiously and when I get back on stage, I want it to be a full house and packed to the gills.’

The Real Housewives of New York City season 13 premieres on Tuesday May 4 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo.