It was all fun and games at the Real Housewives of New York reunion until Bravo star Andy Cohen asked what “beauty work” the housewives had done. And by “work,” I don’t mean who made the most money this quarter. Over the years, viewers have witnessed many of the Real Housewives’ faces change. Some of the changes have been gradual, while others have been complete makeovers. But nose trims or liposuction have become synonymous with the famous show.
However, Andy Cohen’s recent questioning of Jessel Tank left some viewers unhappy. The father of two was his usual unabashedness on the reunion show. He turned to Jessel and said, “I must say, you are much prettier than last season.” You look like you’ve been retouched. What did you do?” That might sound like a compliment to most Bravo stars, but the mother of two was rather offended. The Londoner did his best to avoid the question. “I mean, was I ugly before?” she joked. To appease the hosts, she revealed that she had cut her hair short, lost some weight and had a “small amount” of Botox.
But Andy and Bryn Whitfield aren’t convinced by Jessel’s explanation. Jessel eventually admitted, “I do Botox and I do fillers. I do it all the time, okay? I also take good care of my skin, drink a lot of water and have lost some weight.” Andy was adamant, pointing out that the Real Housewives of New York star’s teeth also looked like they’d had cosmetic work done. Jessel went on to say that she also made dental veneers. Andy concluded, “So, now it’s Botox, fillers, and dental veneers.” That’s very direct of Andy to say!
Viewers of the Real Housewives of New York weren’t happy with this particular question. One angry fan tweeted: “The millions of women who watch these shows are sick and tired of you asking them ‘what cosmetic procedures have they had’. It’s not 2009 anymore, and women can do whatever they want with their faces and bodies. It’s time to stop asking that question. It’s offensive and it doesn’t mean anything to the audience.” This view is accepted, and it does make a lot of sense. But Andy shot back without hesitation: “The question ‘What cosmetic surgery did you have?’ is one of the most asked questions every season, every series. From the beginning, the housewives have been very open about letting us know about their beauty habits, which is a big part of the core content of the show.”
While that may be true, if only Andy would treat all housewives the same. I remember Andy repeatedly asking Melissa Gorga if she had had a nose job, often trying to point out that her nose was more than just a cosmetic effect. But she, like so many others, was allowed to sidestep the issue.
Personally, I don’t care too much about what cosmetic procedures any of the ladies from the Real Housewives series have had. If I really wanted to know, I could easily find the answer on Google. I don’t necessarily need Andy to get me that information. I can also understand how questions like this feel outdated. While this may be a well-worn formula for the series, it doesn’t mean it appeals to a new generation of viewers. We have more important things to focus on, and while “Real Housewives” is a nice distraction, it feels like a lot more than just what cosmetic surgery women have had.
At least Andy seemed to understand why some in the audience were upset with the way he asked the question. But really, everything should be about making everyone look and feel their best. In his reply to a fan on social media, he said: “I got Botox for the first time three weeks ago. I talk about it all the time on the radio. After all the questions I’ve asked the women of Real Housewives over the past 18 years, if I do any other beauty projects in the future, I’ll be honest about them, too!”
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