The Real Housewives of New York City is expanding.
Former model and LGBTQ art curator Racquel Chevremont is joining the season 15 cast, Bravo announced June 27.
The 53-year-old’s addition to the reality series marks a particularly important milestone: It’s the first time any Real Housewives franchise has starred two queer Housewives. (Costar Jenna Lyons is also queer.)
“My entire adult life has been about representation and using whatever platform I have to get the voices of queer folks of the diaspora out there,” Chevremont, who co-founded The Josie Club, a Black, queer, women-supported social impact group, told GLAAD. “What better way to do so if not as a member of this iconic franchise.”
“In the current world climate it’s important for not only our community to see themselves represented, but also for the world to get to know a queer family in a more intimate way and show that we all have more similarities than not,” the Brooklyn-born star added. “That queer women can be successful, beautiful and in loving relationships raising children too. That this world exists.”
