The Real Housewives of New York City has announced the addition of Racquel Chevremont, a renowned model and art curator, to the cast for its 15th season. Known for her significant achievements in the New York City art world, Chevremont will be seen alongside Jenna Lyons, Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Erin Lichy, Jessel Taank, and Brynn Whitfield.
It’s exciting, Chevremont told GLAAD about her casting.I honestly didn’t think they would be interested in me in the end because they already had a queer woman. I wasn’t sure if they were going to want two queer women on a franchise that has historically been about married heterosexual women.
The Brooklyn-born fashionista, who was raised in the Bronx, stated that joining the show was a bold decision, reflecting a more authentic representation of New York City. While pondering her journey to becoming a Bravolebrity, Chevremont shared that her adult life has been about representation and using her platform to amplify the voices of queer individuals from the diaspora.
What better way to do so if not as a member of this iconic franchise?she asked. As she weighed her decision, she admitted to binge-watching past seasons of RHONY to immerse herself fully.
Chevremont hopes viewers will get to see her loving fun family and chosen family on screen. She emphasized the importance of this representation by stating,This show reaches millions of people. In the current world climate it’s important for not only our community to see themselves represented but also for the world to get to know a queer family in a more intimate way and show that we all have more similarities than not.
Additionally, Chevremont aims to demonstrate that queer women can be successful, beautiful, and in loving relationships while raising children. According to GLAAD, she was discovered by photographer and model scout Steve Landis for Elite models in 1993. Over the years, she has landed campaigns for Benetton, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Fila, L’Oréal, and Nivea.
Racquel Chevremont has also contributed significantly to the art world for over two decades. In 2003, she joined the acquisition committees at both the Studio Museum in Harlem and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. Furthermore, she is the founder of The Josie Club—a space dedicated to honoring queer Black women’s lives and achievements.
The soon-to-be reality star admitted she previously struggled with her queerness and coming out publicly.I’m what you’d call a later in life lesbian and when I first came out I lost a lot of people, she said. Despite these struggles, she emphasized that working in accepting industries like fashion and art allowed her professional life to thrive despite her personal challenges.
I would never hit somebody, says Paul M about his experience with Racquel Chevremont as an insightful view into her character.
Now excited about bringing more queer reality into the world through RHONY, Chevremont is eager for viewers to relate to her story regardless of sexual orientation.
She hopes thatseeing me and my family will perhaps change a couple of hearts and minds. Using whatever platform I might have to increase visibility and representation has always been important to me.