Jessel Taank, the First Indian Housewife on RHONY, Was Inspired By Groundbreaking Uncles

Jessel Taank called being the first Indian woman cast on The Real Housewives of New York City "an honor."

By Caitlin Schunn Apr 7, 2023, 12:14 PM ET

Jessel Taank attends the 2023 Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala at New York Public Library on February 04, 2023 in New York City. Photo: Getty Images

Seven new women are getting ready to take a bite out of the Big Apple, including Jessel Taank, who will bring a Housewives first to the rebooted Season 14 of The Real Housewives Of New York City.

How to Watch

Watch The Real Housewives of New York City on Bravo Tuesdays at 9/8c and stream next day on Peacock. Catch up on the Bravo app.

“The revolution will be televised!! It’s an honor to be the FIRST Indian to be cast in this franchise. LFG!!” Jessel wrote in an Instagram post on Oct. 16, 2022.

That was the same day the all-new cast was revealed during a taping of Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen on the final day of BravoCon. Jessel and her castmates, Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Erin Lichy, Jenna Lyons, and Brynn Whitfield surprised fans by walking on stage.

“It is so wonderful to see you holding apples,” Andy Cohen told the cast at the time.

He also said the Season 14 cast has “big shoes to fill,” with OG Housewife Jill Zarin telling the new cast, “You guys are going to have the time of your lives.”

Jessel is of British Indian descent. She was born to an immigrant family in London, England, according to her website, and was “raised in a tight knit but strict Indian household.” As she grew up, she was inspired by her uncles Max and Nitin Vadukul, who “fled the prospect of their arranged marriages to pursue successful careers as photographers in Manhattan.”

This Is What The Real Housewives of New York City Alum Alex McCord Looks Like Today

On her website, she mentions her uncles broke ground as photographers hailing from Indian descent, which was part of her decision to start a career in the fashion capital of the world.

She met her husband, financier Pavit Randhawa, after they were introduced by a friend at an NYC bar, according to a press release, They were close friends for years after before dating. They then married in Mexico in 2014 and have twin one-year-old boys, Kai and Rio (who have their own Instagram!).

Jessel’s had an impressive fashion and public relations career, working for Conde Nast International, Stella McCartney, Celine, Victoria Beckham and Michael Kors, according to her website. She also led the strategic direction and partnered with brands like KKW Beauty, Kylie Cosmetics, and Nordstrom. Jessel is now the founder of The Know PR.

Watch past seasons of The Real Housewives Of New York City on Peacock.