The Real Housewives of New York City star Luann de Lesseps continues to struggle getting her life on track as she returns to a rehabilitation facility for the second time in less than seven months. Luann authorized her RHONY co-star Bethenny Frankel to speak on her behalf, and Bethenny says that “recent additional family stress was a catalyst” in Luann’s decision, which is assumed to be in reference to a recent lawsuit filed against Luann by her daughters and ex husband, Alexandre de Lesseps.
“This weekend, Luann was surrounded by her girlfriends and decided — with their support — that in light of recent circumstances, it is the healthiest choice for her not to attend Tuesday’s reunion taping so that she can continue in her healing process,” Bethenny tells People. “Luann is now surrounded by a core group of people who truly have her best interests at heart and who are working to make sure she gets the help she needs.”
Bravo confirms that Luann will not be present for the Season 10 Reunion, and the network asserts that they feel it is the right decision. “Bravo supports Luann’s decision to focus on her health,” the network said in a statement to People. “She is part of the Bravo family and we continue to stand by her as she copes with this challenging situation. At this time, we hope everyone will respect her privacy.”
Bethenny applauds the network’s support. “Bravo has been very supportive of Luann during this time,” she says. “It’s a brave and honest decision by her, and everyone is rallying around her and wants the best for her.”
Although plagued with a series of stories about being spotted drinking and smoking pot, Luann seemed to have her life on track since exiting from her previous rehab stint in the wake of her drunken New Years’ Eve arrest in Florida. In addition to her sold out string of #CountessAndFriends cabaret shows at New York City’s Feinstein’s/54 Below, Luann was also reportedly dating her agent Richard Super.
“Luann loves doing the cabaret,” Bethenny affirms. “She’s taking the necessary steps to get better so that the show can go on.”
Luann even reunited with her ex husband Alexandre de Lesseps in the Hamptons over the Fourth of July weekend, and described getting back with him as the “greatest reunion ever!” in a caption to an Instagram photo of the two of them:
“Greatest reunion ever!” Luann wrote. “Wonderful to spend the weekend with the kids and The Count.” Luann went on to celebrate her sobriety. “Also counting my blessings! Celebrating 6 months of sobriety! Happy 4th of July, everyone!”
Soon after posting the photo, it was revealed by The Blast that Alexandre and the couple’s two kids, Victoria and Noel, had filed a lawsuit against Luann alleging that she agreed to set up a trust for the kids from the money she got by selling their house in Bridgehampton, which sold for $8 million.
According to the suit, the trust was never set up, and Luann used the money to buy another house for $3.1 million. That triggered even more issues.
From The Blast:
Per their deal, if she sold the home and bought another the kids were suppose to have an ownership interest … but that never happened. Alexandre claims Luann has threatened to sell her new home on the cheap and leave Suffolk County and buy herself a luxury home in upstate New York.
They are suing to block Luann from being able to sell off the home and for her to follow the terms of their divorce agreement.
Bethenny confirms that part of Luann’s reason for seeking help was due in part to family issues. “Recent additional family stress was a catalyst to her taking a break,” Bethenny says.
It’s unknown how long Luann plans to remain in treatment. Her last stint lasted three weeks, from the end of December to late January.
Asa Hawks is a writer and editor for Starcasm. You can contact Asa via Twitter, Facebook, or email at starcasmtips(at)yahoo.com
