Jessel Taank Claps Back At Erin Lichy As 'RHONY' Season 16 Kicks Off With A Martha Stewart Cameo

New York City is officially buzzing again as *The Real Housewives of New York City* launched its explosive 16th season. The rebooted Bravo franchise returned with returning fan favorites, fresh faces, and instant friction lingering from off-camera antics and spin-off appearances. Right out of the gate, unresolved tensions boiled over between Jessel Taank and Erin Lichy. The premiere confrontation stemmed directly from shady remarks Erin allegedly dropped during her time on *Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip*. Jessel wasted zero time calling out her co-star to settle the score, proving that off-season commentary always comes with a price tag once cameras start rolling again in Manhattan. ## What happened on the RHONY Season 16 premiere? Alongside the main-stage drama between the returning veterans, the Season 16 opener officially introduced three new women to the Manhattan social circle. The fresh additions are stepping directly into the crossfire as the group attempts to navigate existing grudges, luxury outings, and shifting alliances. Adding three new personalities all at once immediately reshaped the group dynamic, giving returning members new sounding boards and potential rivals. The episode was not just about lingering rivalries and fresh blood, either. Viewers were treated to a surprise celebrity cameo when lifestyle icon Martha Stewart made an appearance on screen. The unexpected pop-in provided an extra layer of high-society glamour to an otherwise drama-packed kickoff. ## Why are Jessel Taank and Erin Lichy fighting? The rift between Jessel and Erin has been brewing ever since Erin's stint on the spin-off series, where her comments about the New York cast created an awkward divide. As detailed on ’s *Virtual Reali-Tea* podcast with co-hosts Danny Murphy and Evan Real, spin-off commentary frequently bleeds back into the main show, forcing castmates to address lingering online shade face-to-face. Jessel made it clear during the premiere that she was not about to let Erin's past remarks slide without an explanation. With the new season just getting underway and three fresh housewives entering the fray, the stage is set for a chaotic run in the Big Apple.