Luann de Lesseps Initially Turned Down 'The Golden Life' Before Reconsidering Opportunity

Luann de Lesseps almost skipped out on "The Golden Life" before deciding to reunite with her former Real Housewives of New York City castmates. Scheduling conflicts led her to decline the initial offer. But after learning the show would film in Palm Beach, Luann changed her mind.

In an interview with Us Weekly, Luann explained her hesitation: "Well, at first I said no." She prioritized spending time with her original castmates, including Sonja Morgan. Despite having moved to Florida, the two women hadn't spent much time together recently, making their reunion all the more special for Luann.

When asked what made her reconsider, Luann revealed, "I just wanted to be back with the OGs, with my girls." Joining the cast also allowed her to spend quality time with other familiar faces like Dorinda Medley and Kelly Bensimon.

Palm Beach proved to be the turning point for Luann. She noted, "I couldn't refuse a trip to Palm Beach with my former castmates." With its lush setting and promise of new experiences, the location ultimately won over Luann's reservations.

As part of the show, Luann emphasized the value of female friendships across ages. She observed, "At this age, we're still fabulous and still working, which is really great." This attitude suggests she hopes viewers will find inspiration in the show's portrayal of strong relationships.

Outside of reality television, Luann continues to focus on her cabaret career, which took off in 2017. Her dedication to performance has enabled her to share her talents internationally through her touring productions. According to Luann herself, "Literally, cabaret did save my life in so many ways."