Carole Radziwill Wants to 'Strangle' RHONY Co-Star Over Carolyn Bessette Questions

Carole Radziwill expressed significant distress over questions about her late friend Carolyn Bessette Kennedy posed by co-star Jessel Taank during a recent episode of "The Real Housewives of New York City." The tension arose during a cast brunch when Taank, referencing a recent docuseries about Bessette Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr., directly asked Radziwill if Bessette Kennedy was "a bitch."

Radziwill, who was married to Kennedy Jr.'s cousin and close friend Anthony Radziwill, became visibly uncomfortable. She described Bessette Kennedy as "very fun" and "a girl's girl," attempting to steer the conversation away from Taank's line of questioning. Radziwill stated she had only watched a few minutes of the docuseries, finding it "too much."

Further exacerbating Radziwill's discomfort, Taank brought up the "Carolyn Bessette summer" fashion trend, where individuals adopt a minimalist aesthetic inspired by Bessette Kennedy. When Taank implied Radziwill's dark attire was part of this trend, Radziwill expressed her irritation, later calling Taank a "walking human vibe diffuser" in a confessional.

Taank also questioned whether the Kennedy family was "cursed," citing historical tragedies, which other cast members found inappropriate given Radziwill's personal connection and grief. Erin Lichy commented that Taank seemed unable to "read the frickin' room," given that Radziwill was still mourning her best friend.

In her own confessional, Radziwill stated, "It doesn’t register to her? That the tragic deaths of my cousins and best friend might be very upsetting to me?" She added, "I want to strangle her."

Radziwill eventually left the brunch early. Following the episode, Taank appeared on "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen" and acknowledged feeling remorse for her questioning. She explained that her intention was to discuss Bessette Kennedy's style and public perception, particularly in light of the recent Hulu series, and that her comments were misinterpreted. Taank also clarified that her question about Bessette Kennedy being "a bitch" stemmed from her own experience as a fashion publicist and an understanding of perceived coldness in the industry.

Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. tragically died in a plane crash on July 1999, along with Bessette Kennedy's sister, Lauren. The couple was en route to Martha's Vineyard when the accident occurred.