Before the first frame of season 15 of The Real Housewives of New York aired, there were rumors of a bitter feud between castmates—and former friends—Ubah Hassan and Brynn Whitfield. In the premiere, there’s a glimpse of the tension at the cast photo shoot before flashing back to three months earlier, when all was well.
The season finale, which aired January 21, finally revealed what caused the rift. Subtle jabs from throughout the season grew into deeper cuts, bigger accusations, and a blow-up that cast member Jessel Taank compared to “Mount Vesuvius erupting.”
Hassan, for her part, has taken the time since filming ended in June to focus on herself. “I did a lot of work in the summer,” she tells Glamour. “I stayed home and meditated—basically just reevaluated a lot of things.” Seeing it all over again, she says, has both given her fresh eyes and opened new wounds.
“It’s difficult because you experience everything for the first time while filming. When the show comes out, you watch it and think, ‘They didn’t show why I reacted that way, or I explained myself, but they didn’t include that part,’” she says. “Then you see comments online, and people judge you based on a limited perspective. It’s hard to see opinions that create a false narrative of who you are.”
In a Glamour exclusive, the model and entrepreneur addresses what happened in the finale from her point of view, where she stands with Whitfield, and more.
TW: Sexual assault.
It’s disheartening when you open yourself up, genuinely caring for others, only to discover that to them, you’re merely a colleague. When you’re being real and they’re like, “Don’t take it seriously. This is just a show.” I started to realize: They aren’t always being 100%. I didn’t get the memo. I was on all the time.
Here’s an example: The first time we met, Brynn bought my hot sauce, Ubah Hot. I said, “Why did you buy it? I have a hundred of them at home I could bring you.” She’s like, “No, no, no, girl. Learn how to receive. I’m trying to support you.” Then she calls me and says, “I think I’m going to talk about Ubah Hot on the show, and I’m going to give a bad review so you can get airtime.”
I said, “Let me tell you something: Do not touch my product. I’m a woman who worked her ass off to be where I am. This product has won awards. Don’t you dare.” I believe she has been producing since day one.
I can confidently say that when I lay my head on the pillow at night, I know I didn’t do anyone wrong. I didn’t have bad intentions, I didn’t gossip, and I didn’t cause drama. If someone came to me privately with a concern—which a few of them have, many times—I always offer kind, loving advice.
But this experience has taught me the value of silence and the strength in walking away. It’s painful because I’ve worked tirelessly to have a voice, and I take immense pride in never leaving things unsaid or unfinished. It’s been a difficult yet necessary lesson.
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