No, Abe Lichy Would Not Cheat on Erin Lichy: "That's Just Our Humor," RHONY Couple Says
The RHONY couple left behind “up-and-coming" Tribeca for a move uptown. But they also want to leave behind any misconceptions about their relationship from Season 14.
As the Real Housewives of New York City ladies — and husbands — make it through their first season on the franchise together, Erin and Abe Lichy are clearing up any inaccurate and “ridiculous” takes on their marriage.
The couple spoke to The Daily Dish about filming and their shared sense of humor that might have gotten lost in translation for some fans.
Erin and Abe Lichy Talk Marriage Misconceptions on RHONY
When asked about a moment he felt needed to be clarified, Abe pointed to the “f-ck other women comment” he made during a dinner with Sai De Silva and her husband, David.
Both couples were discussing what they would do if they weren’t intimate for a long period of time.
“I know you, so to me it was funny and silly and like a joke, clearly, and I think to like our friends or anyone who knows you, it's a joke,” Erin told Abe during her interview with The Daily Dish. “Because people don’t know you that well yet, like the Bravo fans, it seemed like, 'Oh, so you're going to cheat?'"
The Lichys also weren’t aware of Jessel Taank’s IVF struggles at the time — only realizing when they watched the show, Abe told The Daily Dish.
RELATED: Jessel Taank Opens Up About Fertility Journey and IVF Treatments: "It Was Brutal"
"If we had known that, you know it would have been a completely different situation because the way it being talked about was in that more playful way," Abe told The Daily Dish. “Seeing the IVF struggles, I really felt for her, and I felt bad that it came off like that to her and that it might have hurt her, but we weren't aware of that at the time and so I think that's something doesn't really come off on the show. It seems like it was more mean-spirited than it was because of that issue, but I think that context is important to know because we didn't know."
They would never want to bring someone’s relationship down or trash their marriage, Erin explained.
“It's just not in our ethos,” Erin said. “It's not our character. It's not something we would do. I think we're being more playful with it and then I think got more real, you know, and once I saw that she was upset, I was like, ‘Oh my God,' I never want her to be upset.”
Due to limited time, there were other moments filmed that showed more of what Erin and Abe are like that didn't make it to air, according to Abe.
“There was no balance to show that side of me, so you know I think all the audience got to see were these snippets of me talking about sex and making these crass jokes, which admittedly, sure, it was crass, but it was a joke,” Abe said.
Abe dismissed the idea that if Erin didn’t have sex with him, he would really cheat, calling it “ridiculous,” adding: "To see my reputation slandered like that was annoying because it’s just not who I am. We’ve been together 13 years and we’ve been through a lot together and while we’re not, you know, perfect, as no couple is, we have a very strong relationship,” Abe said.
The Lichys, who had a vow renewal during Season 14 of RHONY, initially connected over their love of music, both coming from large families and similar interests, according to Erin. The couple now has three kids together.
Related: Brynn Whitfield Defends Her Comment at Erin Lichy's Vow Renewal as a "Friends" Joke
“Our lives really do revolve around our family,” Abe said. “We spend a lot of time with our children. On the show, there are all these little snippets of us, you know, how can we get away from the kids? And like, yes, we love our alone time, but what doesn't get shown is the fact that we're always with our kids because we love them, and we love doing things with our kids."
Abe also touched on their banter about possibly swinging one day, saying they like to joke around.
“We're very playful, you know the swinging comment even — we’re at dinner with friends, we just joke about stuff,” Abe said. “I mean, we're actually pretty vanilla in reality.”
Are the RHONY Housewives still friends since filming the Season 14 reunion?
Although tensions were sometimes high during the reunion, Erin acknowledged filming Real Housewives is something the entire cast is trying to navigate for the first time.
“It's not the easiest thing, but I think ultimately, we're all kind of learning how to let things come, just fall off our shoulders, and not take things too personally, which I have done,” Erin said. “I mean, I've never done this before, so it's new, but I think overall we’re gonna be OK.”
Abe noted he views the other husbands on the show as “really good guys.”
“I love the guys, Pavit and David, we do dinner every now and then,” Abe said.
You can watch the first part of the reunion for The Real Housewives of New York City now and catch part two Oct. 29 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo. All episodes are available to stream the next day on Peacock.
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