Podcast Summary: "Therapuss with Jake Shane"

Episode: Session 89: Countess Luann
Date: August 15, 2025
Guest: Countess Luann de Lesseps (Real Housewives of New York City)

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This episode takes a deep, hilarious, and heartfelt dive into Countess Luann de Lesseps' life on and off Bravo's Real Housewives of New York City. Jake Shane, in his signature tongue-in-cheek “therapist” role, invites Luann to reflect on her reality TV legacy, cabaret stardom, reinvention, and advice for handling drama—both on screen and in life. The session is equal parts nostalgia, tea-spilling, and introspective life lessons.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Luann’s Life After Housewives, Cabaret & “Love Hotel”

• Luann is currently touring her Countess Cabaret: Greatest Hits show, which includes new music and stories.
  “Every cabaret is different... Greatest hits, new stories. Of course, I’m going to talk a bit about the love Hotel, right?” (01:50)
• “Love Hotel” was a refreshing change from Housewives. Rather than “taking each other down,” it focused on mutual support:
  • “We were each other's wingmen, right? And that was refreshing for me.” (03:54)

2. Luann’s Spiritual Journey

• Found spirituality after her divorce; credits Deepak Chopra for a turning point:
  • “I realized, oh my God, there’s an actual being in here... it’s always been about, right, the face. I discovered there’s much more to me that lurks underneath.” (03:13)

3. Behind the Scenes: Housewives Nostalgia & Dynamics

• Bethenny Feud & “Be Cool” Legends:
  • Admits Bethenny was probably most jealous of her Countess title and opulent life:
    “I’ve got everything that she wants... Who wanted to take me down the most? It was she for sure.” (07:57)
  • Confirms little contact with Bethenny today.
• Production Boundaries:
  • Maintained strong personal boundaries with production, keeping family out of the fray:
    "You see that door? That's my master bedroom. Don't go near it." (09:19)
• Scary Island Reflection:
  • Did not attend the infamous trip and believes Kelly Ben Simone was bullied:
    “I would have been there for Kelly… they bullied her to the point where she went, you know [off the deep end].” (09:56)

4. Original Cast, Rivalries, and Jealousies

• Jealousy of “The Countess” Title:
  • Explains her ex-husband’s family’s genuine aristocracy, dispelling others’ snark.
    • “The title does not come from a Cracker Jacks box. It’s real.” (06:50)
• OG Friendships:
  • Met Jill Zarin at a movie premiere; Jill pulled her into the founding Housewives cast. (21:14–22:54)
• Simon (Alex’s Husband):
  • Found it odd that he always tagged along:
    “He’s always trying to get in on the scene... like having an extra housewife along you didn’t invite.” (13:07)

5. Reflections on the Show, Fame, and Adaptation

• Early seasons paid just $10,000 total; no one predicted its phenomenon.
• The new RHONY cast “isn’t us” and lack the natural friendships and shared history of the OGs:
  • “They’re successful, beautiful women, but they’re just not us... friendships are so important.” (15:07)
• Thick Skin Required:
  • “It takes time to get a thick skin...[at first] we weren’t prepared for the onslaught of Bravo fans.” (29:25)

6. Advice & Philosophy on Class and Reinvention

• Etiquette remains central—“Money can’t buy you class”—but wishes she could add a chapter on dating today (24:58–25:14).
  • “Etiquette really is about respect for others... The most important thing is being comfortable in your own skin.” (25:47)
• On reinvention and resilience:
  • “We only have today, right? There’s no yesterday and no guarantee of tomorrow... Go out there and get it.” (34:48)

7. Favorite and Iconic Moments

• Favorite Trip: Marrakesh—“iconic” for memorable scenes, mishaps, and fashion (11:56).
• Most Heated Fight: Berkshire’s house—Bethenny “in my face” about her love life and the fashion show incident (37:58).
• Cabaret Highlights:
  • Loves creative freedom and storytelling, with London (Tilda Swinton intro!), as her top venue (38:51).
• Most Surreal Moment:
  • Tilda Swinton surprising her & introducing her cabaret performance in London (38:52).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Genuine Aristocracy

• “The title does not come from a Cracker Jacks box. It’s real.” — Luann (06:50)

On OG Housewives Jealousy

• “Who wanted to take me down the most? It was she [Bethenny], for sure.” — Luann (08:05)

On Learning Spirituality After Divorce

• “After I divorced the Count, it was a rough spot... I realized, oh my God, there’s an actual being in here.” — Luann (03:13)

On “Money Can't Buy You Class”

• “Money can’t buy you class.” — Luann (25:26)

On Producing Good TV

• “The camera doesn’t lie... I think the most important thing to make a good housewife is being forthright and honest.” — Luann (30:38–31:19)

On New Roni Cast

• “They’re not us. ... They don’t know where the skeletons are buried.” — Luann (15:07)

On Never Explaining Drama

• “Never complain and never explain, darling. Rules to live by.” — Luann (41:29–41:34)

On Living in the Moment

• “We only have today, right? There’s no yesterday and no guarantee of tomorrow. ... I just care about having a good time.” — Luann (34:48–35:20)

Audience Advice Segment (Q&A Highlights)

(Timestamps 40:38–46:48)

• Friend Pocketing Group Meal Money:

  • “That's stealing.” (40:56)
  • “Never complain and never explain, darling. Rules to live by.” (41:29)

• Gay/Bisexual Flirting Dilemma:

  • “He's gay? No. Or bisexual, sure.” (42:00)

• Broken Girl Code:

  • “That's a broken girl code right there. That's what that song's all about.” (42:14)

• Flirtatious Best Friend:

  • “Get rid of her. ... One or the other. Somebody's got to go.” (43:27)

• Boyfriend Peed the Bed—White Lie OK?:

  • “Sometimes white lies are okay in order not to either offend somebody, hurt somebody, or make them think less of you.” (44:11–44:17)

On Optimism:

• “There’s an optimistic and a pessimist mosquito... The optimist says, 'When I arrived, everyone started clapping.'” (46:48)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cabaret Tour & “Love Hotel”: 01:50–03:13
• Bethenny Feud & Jealousy: 06:29–08:09
• Scary Island Bullying Reflection: 09:47–10:43, 32:44–33:40
• Original Cast, Production Boundaries, and Fame: 09:19–14:27
• Etiquette & Class, Advice on Reinvention: 24:46–25:47, 34:37–35:20
• Audience Submissions (Advice Section): 40:38–46:48
• Cabaret & Tilda Swinton Story: 38:51–39:55

Closing & Takeaways

• Luann emphasizes that elegance and class stem from inner confidence and respect for others:
  • “Elegance really does come from within, and it comes from how comfortable you are in your own skin. ... You cannot make other people comfortable if you yourself are not comfortable.” (50:33–50:48)
• Reinvention, authenticity, boundaries, and community define Luann’s story on RHONY and beyond.
• Jake Shane keeps it light and cheeky, but the Countess’ wisdom shines through, from etiquette to navigating public life, to living in the present.

Listeners leave with warmth, laughter, and—of course—a reminder that "money can't buy you class."