RHONY star Jessel Taank posing on a red carpet.
Reality TV

Jessel Taank Refuses to Back Down Over Shocking Carolyn Bessette Remark

The 'RHONY' star says she was 'just curious' when she asked Carole Radziwill if the late fashion icon was a 'bitch.'

By Rae MitchellPublished Updated 1 min read

Jessel Taank is refusing to back down after causing a major stir on *The Real Housewives of New York City*. The fashion publicist is setting the record straight following a wildly uncomfortable scene that aired during the latest episode of the popular Bravo reality show. During the broadcast, Taank caught viewers off guard during an interaction with former cast member Carole Radziwill. The moment turned incredibly tense when Taank made a sharp, blunt inquiry regarding the late fashion figure Carolyn Bessette, asking if she was actually a "bitch."

What did Jessel Taank say about Carolyn Bessette?

The unexpected remark quickly sent shockwaves through the fandom, with many viewers taking to social media to criticize the reality star for her jarring phrasing. However, Taank isn't offering an apology for bringing up the subject during their conversation. Speaking exclusively on * Radio*, the reality television personality stood firmly behind her words. Rather than expressing regret over the awkward moment shared with Radziwill, Taank doubled down on her initial line of questioning.

John F. Kennedy Jr. kissing his wife Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy on the cheek.
Kennedy Jr. (pictured above with Bessette at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in 1999) was cousins and best friends with Carole Radziwill’s late husband, Anthony Radziwill.

Why did Jessel Taank ask Carole Radziwill about Carolyn Bessette?

I was just curious," Taank explained when addressing the headline-making scene with the outlet. According to reports, the fashion publicist maintained that her question came strictly from a place of natural inquiry rather than bad intentions or deliberate shade. The awkward dialogue between Taank and Radziwill unfolded on the latest *RHONY* installment, sparking instant debate across pop-culture circles. Despite the swift fallout online, Taank continues to hold her ground, insisting that her blunt question about Bessette was simply a genuine attempt to satisfy her own curiosity.

The photos · 6

RHONY star Jessel Taank posing on a red carpet.
Bessette (pictured above in New York City in 1999) and her husband, John F. Kennedy Jr., were killed in a plane crash in July 1999.
Kennedy Jr. (pictured above with Bessette at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in 1999) was cousins and best friends with Carole Radziwill’s late husband, Anthony Radziwill.
In “The Real Housewives of New York City,” Taank asked Carole a series of questions about her deceased family members. (Pictured above: Taank in “RHONY” Season 16.)
Taank (pictured above in “RHONY” Season 16) asked if the Kennedy family was “cursed” and prodded Carole for her thoughts on the “Carolyn Bessette summer” style trend.
Carole (pictured above in “RHONY” Season 16) appeared visibly uncomfortable with the questions.

The backstory

Verified moments, in order.

Jessel Taank: The Marriage, Motherhood and Feuds Behind Her Reality-TV Rise

A fashion publicist joins New York’s reality-TV reboot and puts her private life on camera. Her marriage soon becomes a battleground.

  1. She marries Pavit Randhawa

    Jessel Taank — She marries Pavit Randhawa

    Taank marries businessman Pavit Randhawa in Mexico. Their relationship later becomes central to her television story, with both their intimacy and his travel plans facing scrutiny from her castmates.

  2. July 16, 2023

    The reboot puts her life on camera

    Season 14 premieres, introducing Taank to viewers. Across her debut season, she speaks openly about a prolonged gap in sex with her husband and clashes with castmates over everything from gifts to her account of her upbringing.

  3. Flashpoint

    Pavit’s Vietnam trip fuels a feud

    Randhawa’s planned solo trip to Vietnam becomes a recurring point of contention during Season 14. Erin Lichy and Sai De Silva question the trip against the backdrop of Taank’s disclosures about her sex life; Taank pushes back against insinuations about her husband’s fidelity.

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People also ask

What did Jessel Taank say about Carolyn Bessette?
During a recent episode of RHONY, Jessel Taank asked Carole Radziwill if the late Carolyn Bessette was a 'bitch.'
How did Jessel Taank defend her comments?
Taank told Page Six Radio that she was 'just curious' when asking the question and refused to apologize for her line of inquiry.