The Real Housewives of New York City had a whole revamp recently
and launched a whole new slew of cast members for season 14.
The brand new cast includes women in real estate fashion philanthropy.
And recently I met up with one of them for our walk in talks.
Jessel Tank is a publicist, a mom
and a Roy
first, the first housewife of South Asian descent. Take a look
one episode down.
What's life been like?
Um
It's so funny because, you know,
we've been filming for over four months and all of the press and everything,
but it isn't until the show actually airs that it hits you like a wave.
And
I think that on Sunday night, it was almost like shock because
you know,
everything that you've been working towards and
building towards has finally come full circle
and it was very out of body experience. I think it's the best way to put it.
You are breaking barriers here.
We have to mention you are the first Indian first South Asian Real Housewife.
How does that feel?
You know, I'm overall so excited.
Um I think that look,
there's 1.5 billion of us in the world and maybe like 50 in the media,
you being one of them.
And so I think that like,
when I was,
you know, thinking through the decision of like being a part of this
and really sort of weighing out my options,
that was the biggest one for me is to be able to represent
a culture and not, you know,
not really bear the weight of an Indian culture on my shoulders,
but really just show the world what a modern female in,
you know, today is like a mother, a wife. Yes.
All of those
things. Were you nervous about the reboot at all
or how you'd be portrayed? Yeah, of course.
I mean, you know, I think that especially Roy
is such a beloved franchise
and it's probably one of the longest running so,
you know,
to kind of come in after 13 years where people have gotten to know these women
and have almost feel like they're a part of their lives.
It was obviously very daunting. I wanted,
you know, to
make the best out of this opportunity, but I know that the audience,
it was, it was
a tough crowd to break. I think I want to ask you about that because this was a reboot.
It was a whole different style.
Were you afraid that these loyal viewers weren't going to accept it?
Yeah, of course.
And look, I mean, you know, like with anything, things have to evolve, I mean,
social media has to evolve.
We have to evolve and I think the network and certainly the franchise thought
it was time and I think New York is one of those cities where,
you know, it has changed so much if you think about it in 13 years,
what it was and what it is now.
And so this is really a representation
of what that is, you know, your favorite moment of shooting this season.
Oh, my God. I, I have so many, um, I love to dress up.
I mean, obviously that's hopefully apparent. Um
I absolutely love the moments where we're dressing up, we're going out, you know,
this group is so fashion forward.
Um, and it's been really just the best seeing what everyone's wearing and,
and that's the most exciting part of it for me.
Were you hesitant when you were deciding to do this? Was it a family decision?
Did you have conversations with friends and loved ones? Absolutely.
And I think, you know, for me, I really don't care
what people think. I'm going to do what I want to do.
But the people that I did have a conversation
with was obviously my family and my husband.
You know, we have two small Children and this is something that is quite,
you're letting the world into your home,
you're letting the world into your relationships.
Um It's quite personal and private. Um,
so there was a lot of back and forth but my husband is
so supportive and everything I want to do and he was wonderful.
Um, and we thought, listen,
it's a once in a lifetime opportunity we're gonna go for it.
Have you seen other seasons?
I have. Yeah. Is there a housewife you're related with that? You kind of just loved?
I, you know, I, I say this a lot. I think Bethany has been
too.
Right.
She,
I think she's made the best out of this opportunity and she's very inspirational.
Um I love how she's quick and quirky and,
and very sort of funny and that's what we are aspiring to be on the show.
So I know we still have this whole season to go.
Is there anything you think the show didn't
capture that you wanted your viewers to know?
You know. Um I, I talk a lot about this.
I think that um Instagram versus reality is a big thing for me because, you know,
on social media and how you portray yourself on social platforms is one thing
I
really think that the show sort of gets into who you really are.
But at the same time, you know,
it's a snapshot of your life. It's not the full scope of things.
And so, you know,
they'll show maybe like five minutes of a conversation but not the full thing.
And I just feel like
I'm a very,
I try to be as real as possible in the show.
I share a lot of intimate details, which is quite unusual for an Indian,
but I want to be as transparent as possible. So,
yeah, I think it's going to be a fun ride. All right.
Last question for women who are watching, aspiring to make a name for themselves,
build a brand and they're seeing you who is such an inspiration.
What advice would you give them?
Don't take no for an answer.
And I think that that has been my mantra this entire time and actually like growing up
and all of it, like, I think there are so many
doubters and the minute you,
you start self doubting is when you start to
spiral and it's a downward spiral at that point.
So
just stay headstrong, believe in what you're doing and never take no for an answer.
She was so lovely, so humble. Great to catch up with Jesse Tank.
You can catch new episodes of The Real Housewife of New York City every Sunday.
I haven't watched a single episode of any Roy,
but I already know she's my favorite. She's absolutely incredible.
I can't wait to see the drama that she may be involved in.
We'll find out, we'll see. We'll tune in.