Jessel Taank's marriage is doing just fine, Taank you very much.
The Real Housewives of New York City's season 14 breakout star is shutting down any doubts about her relationship with husband Pavit Randhawa after several of her costars questioned their union.
"It was really tough," the Bravo star said of the rumors in an Oct. 16 Rolling Stone profile. "Maybe I didn't explain enough, or give enough clarity to why we were in the place that we were in our private life."
Jessel and Pavit's marriage became a main storyline among the newly rebooted cast when she revealed they hadn't had sex for a year and a half after she underwent IVF to get pregnant with their 2-year-old twins Kai and Rio.
"I spoke about how IVF was really tough for me," the fashion publicist explained. "The domino effect of having kids and going through IVF was a tough pill to swallow when it came to getting back into the sack with him. It took an emotional and mental toll on both of us. Maybe that didn't really connect with them? They just thought that something was wrong in my marriage."
And when Pavitt revealed his plans for a 24-hour trip to Vietnam for frequent flyer miles—and a banh mi sandwich—costars Erin Lichy and Sai De Silva joked about infidelity rumors on camera.
"Then there was all this talk about how Pavit travels," Jessel continued. "They were trying to insinuate that there was something seedy going on. It was very, very shocking. I never thought that those were the conversations that were happening."
The 43-year-old noted it was particularly "disappointing" to watch Erin talk about her relationship, especially after Erin got mad at Brynn Whitfield for playfully hitting on her husband Abraham Lichy during Erin and his vow renewal.
"I think that they looked at my marriage and took it to a place that really wasn't cool," Jessel said. "It could have been handled differently. I know that production is involved, but I've been prompted many times to talk about things and I've said no, because it's detrimental to someone's character or their relationship."
As for why she thinks her costars were so interested in discussing her sex life?
"I think for Erin and Sai, specifically, I don't think they've ever had IVF," Jessel explained. "So I think when I was talking about it, they couldn't relate to me at that moment. All they heard was, 'She is not having sex with her husband. Something is wrong!' That's what they were stuck on. In hindsight, should I have really tried to explain more? Maybe. Maybe that's on me."
See the reality stars hash out their drama when the RHONY season 14 reunion kicks off Oct. 22 at 9 p.m. on Bravo.
And keep reading to see where the new cast ranks among every Housewife in Bravo history.
152-155. The Real Housewives of D.C.
Bravo's ill-fated attempt at highlighting our nation's capital brought together four women so forgettable you'd be forgiven for erasing them from your memory—though their names are Mary Amons, Lynda Erkiletian, Cat Ommanney and Stacie Scott Turner—and one so desperate for fame that she gate-crashed a party at the White House. More on her later.
151. Kimberly Bryant, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Who?
150. Tammy Knickerbocker, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Vaguely familiar, but...
149. DeShawn Snow, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
Once upon a time, DeShawn starred on the same TV show as NeNe Leakes. Surprising, we know.
148. Elizabeth Lyn Vargas, The Real Housewives of Orange County
This one-season Housewife brought nothing to the Orange County table.
147. Jennie Nguyen, The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City
Utah's newest season two Housewife went out with a bang (and not in a good way). In January 2022, Jennie was fired after "offensive" and racially insensitive old Facebook posts resurfaced online. Jennie later apologized but the damage was done.
146. Quinn Fry, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Her defining trait was "cougar."
145. Jen Armstrong, The Real Housewives of Orange County
The Orange County doctor was never a source of drama during season 16 and her brief marriage troubles with eternally shirtless husband Ryne (or Ryan?) were less than riveting. However, we will never forget Dr. Jen getting absolutely wasted on wine during the Dubrows' insanely awkward—yet wildly entertaining—dinner party.
144: Annemarie Wiley, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
The nurse anesthetist's flop first season can be summed up in one cringe-worthy word we hope we never hear again: Esophagus-gate.
143. Katie Rost, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Katie loved to talk about her charity work, but...didn't do much else on screen. She was one and done, only to come back and not contribute much as a friend. Leaving the cast trip early? A Housewives no-no.
142. Charrisse Jackson Jordan, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Her marriage problems were on full display the two seasons she was a full-time Housewife...that and her champagne room are the two memorable things about Charrisse.
141. Shamari DeVoe, The Real Housewives of Atlanta
A one-and-done Housewife, Shamari was at least fun?
140. Peggy Sulahian, The Real Housewives of Orange County
While it was nice to see some diversity in the lily-white O.C., Peggy ultimately proved to be a frustrating presence in season 12. The fights she chose to pick were bizarre, and often involving someone using a word she simply didn't understand, and her decision to simply hide out in her room for an entire day during the trip to Iceland proved that she wasn't really cut out for this Real Housewives life.
139. Nneka Ihim, The Real Housewives of Potomac
Instead of bonding with fellow Nigerian costar Wendy Osefo during season eight, Nneka's first season storyline centered entirely around her allegedly accusing Wendy's mom of being a witch (yes, seriously). We wish we could have seen the two bond over their shared culture rather than fighting with no resolve.
138. Noella Bergener, The Real Housewives of Orange County
Noella spun through season 16 like a tornado of frantic energy. While her personal struggles were somewhat compelling (her husband James up and left the country and asked for a divorce right before filming started), it was her constant drama with queen bee Heather Dubrow that helped her not land completely at the bottom of the list. Maybe with more time and another season, we'll warm up to Mrs. Bergener.
137. Siggy Flicker, The Real Housewives of New Jersey
From peacekeeper in her first season to unrelenting complaints about a thrown cake and unfounded claims of anti-Semitism in her second (and last) season, we're not sure we've ever seen a quicker Real Housewives fall from grace than this one.
136. Eva Marcille, RHOA
The America's Next Top Model veteran picked up a peach for seasons 11 and 12, but never really made an impression in the world of RHOA, aside from being pregnant for what felt like her entire tenure. Points for that epic read of Marlo Hampton while in Tokyo, though.
135. Karent Sierra, The Real Housewives of Miami
All we remember about Karent is that she was a dentist and none of her co-stars seemed to like her at all. Next!
134. Cristy Rice,The Real Housewives of Miami
This was a real person with a show on Bravo. We promise.
133. Jules Wainstein, The Real Housewives of New York City
As one of RHONY's more recent one-and-dones, Jules' tenure was too brief to rank any higher. However, she sure did deliver her fair share of drama.
131-132. Teresa Aprea and Nicole Napolitano, RHONJ
So unnecessary they couldn't even get individual taglines.
130. Amber Marchese, RHONJ
Everything Amber and her husband Jim did seemed to reek of desperation. Plus, he was involved in more of the drama than she was. Not a good look.
129. Nina Ali, The Real Housewives of Dubai
Much like co-star Sara Al Madani, Nina exemplified a multidimensional, successful Arab woman who is blending modern life with centuries-old cultural traditions. She avoided most of the season one drama and was sometimes overshadowed by her co-stars' bigger, louder personalities.
128. Sara Al Madani, The Real Housewives of Dubai
Sara's positive, enlightened outlook on life was certainly pleasant, but didn't provide for much drama (besides that one time she offered co-star Caroline Brooks some not-so-well received parenting advice). However, the tech entrepreneur shattered stereotypes of what it means to be a modern Muslim woman in the Middle East and for that we applaud her.
126-127. Rachel Fuda & Danielle Cabral, The Real Housewives of New Jersey
RHONJ's season 13 newbies certainly fit the mold of your typical Garden State Housewife and quickly found themselves in a season-long fight over literally nothing that Andy Cohen deemed pointless at the reunion. We'd love to see both return for season 14 for a chance to move up even higher on the list after an entertaining first go-around.
125. Larsa Pippen, The Real Housewives of Miami
Larsa didn't make a big impression on season one before leaving the series. When Peacock revived RHOM for season four in 2021, her whole storyline was about being the ex-BFF of Kim Kardashian. (and selling sexy feet pics on OnlyFans...)
124. Ana Quincoces, The Real Housewives of Miami
Ana followed up her one season as a Bravolebrity by competing on season 12 of Next Food Network Star in 2016. She didn't make it there, either.
123. Joyce Giraud de Ohoven, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
Unfortunately, she was nothing more than a punching bag for Brandi Glanville. Plus, her tagline celebrating the icky notion that you can never be too skinny was gross.
122. Cindy Barshop, The Real Housewives of New York City
Cindy was supposed to be the new Bethenny Frankel. Cindy was no Bethenny Frankel.
121. Caroline Brooks, The Real Housewives of Dubai
Brooks' gift to season one of RHODubai was a cameo from Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Phaedra Parks, who popped up on one episode to get all the tea on the co-stars' drama. However, Brooks did cause a lot of unnecessary drama during season one (much of which occurred while she was a little too tipsy).
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