Whitney Fransway Details Engagement Ring Inspired by Her Mother
The 'In the City' star shared the backstory of her sparkler, a cushion-cut diamond on a thick gold band, at the VRT Awards 2026.
Whitney Fransway, star of Bravo's "In the City," has revealed the details behind her engagement ring, a piece inspired by her mother's own jewelry. Fransway, 35, showcased the ring at the VRT Awards 2026 held at New York City's Edison Ballroom.
Fransway explained that the design concept originated from her mother's preference for a thicker gold band on her engagement ring before she had it redone after 20 years of marriage. "That was kind of what I had told him," Fransway said on the red carpet, referring to her fiancé, Kenny Martin.
Martin, a real estate investor and venture capitalist, proposed to Fransway on September 19 in Anacapri, Italy. The proposal took place on a cliffside terrace, a location with significance as it was where they had celebrated Fransway's birthday the previous summer. Martin, 42, managed to keep his proposal plans a surprise, even telling Fransway that she should be prepared for the possibility that a proposal might not happen during their trip.
"He threw me off for months," Fransway commented, adding that she had anticipated a proposal in the new year and was therefore shocked. She also noted that she was unprepared for the moment, admitting, "I didn’t even have my nails done."
The ring itself, sourced from New York City jeweler Material Good, features an elongated cushion-cut diamond set on a thick yellow-gold band. Martin mentioned that Fransway had sent him a message about her preferences six months prior, "just in case."
Fransway complemented her ring at the awards ceremony with a white lace-trimmed Sau Lee Ellen dress. The event also saw congratulations from fellow "Bachelor" alums, including JoJo Fletcher, Rachael Kirkconnell, and Vanessa Grimaldi, as well as "In the City" castmate Andrea Denver and "Siesta Key" star Juliette Porter.
When asked about the possibility of their wedding being televised, Fransway responded, "Never say never," while Martin added, "We got to get Season 2 going first." The couple's relationship was a focal point in the first season of their Bravo series, which also documented Martin's efforts to reconnect with his estranged father after 25 years.