The Bravo world is still recovering from the bombshell season 15 finale of “The Real Housewives of New York City.” One of the show’s stars, Brynn Whitfield, found herself in the hot seat after drama between her and Somali model Ubah Hassan went way too far.
Now, Whitfield is sharing her side of the story. In an interview with Rolling Stone, she said she was surprised by everyone seemingly turning on her. “That was shocking,” she said. “You’re telling me that in the three minutes from when I’m called horrible names [by Hassan] and I’m obviously upset that I somehow devised a plan?”
The Root previously reported on all the drama that unfolded during a group trip to Puerto Rico. Hassan first claimed Whitfield “may” have slept with an executive to secure her spot on the show. But everything ramped up a notch when Whitfield later told the other housewives she was especially hurt by Hassan’s accusation because she previously confided in Hassan about being sexually assaulted.
Most of the cast mates were on Whitfield’s side until word got back to Hassan about Whitfield’s confession to the women. Then, it became clear her story wasn’t adding up. Hassan was even sent reeling, crying and throwing up over the entire situation. In the end, it was revealed that Whitfield never had the conversation she claimed to have with Hassan, and with that, all the women began turning their backs on her.
In the interview with Rolling Stone, Whitfield didn’t confirm or deny lying about the conversation, but she said her treatment during the finale was “disgusting.” She continued, “I’m talking about two things that I would hope that no woman or person would have to experience — suicide and sexual assault — and everyone’s like, ‘Brynn, we feel taken advantage of.’”
She said rewatching the finale was difficult amid the allegations against her. “I wish that someone would’ve asked me, ‘Hey, let’s calmly sit down and listen to what you have to say.’ That would have felt really nice, I think, to have that,” she said.
With that, the reality TV star said she’s still confused by everyone’s sudden change in behavior. “I look back, I’ve scanned every text, I’ve checked every conversation, and I have no idea. Then I become avoidant and I just shut down.”
Now, viewers are looking forward to all the drama being addressed in the upcoming two part reunion episodes, which has already been filmed. The first part will premiere on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
Whitfield also spoke on the status of her relationship with the cast. Although she said the reunion gave her the opportunity to clear the air with some of the women, she admitted there’s still work to be done.
“After the reunion, I personally felt like — are we in a position where everything is fixed and perfect? No, not remotely. But at least we’re now, maybe hopefully at step one,” she revealed.
As far as Hassan goes, Whitfield’s friendship with her is still up in the air. “With Ubah [Hassan], I think what’s done is done,” she said. “Ubah’s a great person. She has a heart of gold. I think she loses her temper, but she has the most beautiful heart and at the end of the day I know I’m also a good person, so I feel like we will get back. But it takes time to repair.”