Kristen Taekman: Brandi Helped Me Become a Housewife

Kristen Taekman is the new housewife on the block, and she's found her way to the upcoming season of Real Housewives of New York City thanks to a fellow member of the housewife brood: Brandi Glanville.

How'd the two meet? The two have been friends and when Brandi headed to an upfronts event with Kristen Taekman in tow, neither would have guessed that Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen would have hand-picked Kristen to join the NY squad, but that's just what happened.

"Honestly that night I went out with Brandi was the latest I had been out in a long time," Taekman told the New York Post, adding that her friend Ms. Glanville is "the best girlfriend you could ask for."

The 36-year-old Farmington, Conn. native is known for her extensive modeling work and Elvis Presley fanaticism. That's right; Taekman and her husband Josh, the co-creator of Eboost energy drinks, live in a stylish Manhattan pad covered in Elvis memoribilia.

But Kristen says she's pumped to jump into the high-octane drama of New York's housewife crew, adding that she's "been in the mommy world for so long, which is why this show is exciting to me."

Clearly, Kristen's been fitting in well amongst her fellow castmates so far, citing her very close relationship with Heather Thomson, and budding friendship with Carole Radziwill. Not to mention her appreciation of Pinot Grigio pusher Ramona Singer's personal line of wine.

"Honestly, it's really good," Kristen added.

But things can't stay peaceful forever... check out an in-depth look at the upcoming season in photos and watch the extended preview below.

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