RHONY's Jessel Taank Calls Jenna Lyons' Decision to Keep Girlfriend Cass Bird Off Camera 'a Double-Edged Sword' (Exclusive)

Jessel Taank weighs in on Jenna Lyons’ decision to keep her girlfriend Cass Bird away from the cameras.

During an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, The Real Housewives of New York star, 41, shared her thoughts on Lyons keeping her private life private while discussing her own experiences with putting her marriage on camera.

“I think it’s really a double-edged sword,” she explained, adding that she and husband Pavit Randhawa initially felt they should “open every element” of their lives to the reality TV experience. “At the same time, Pavit turned around one day and said, ‘I didn’t sign up for this. You did. I’m not really comfortable in front of the camera.'”

“You can’t really force someone to suddenly share their lives on national television. And so I think that’s where Jenna and Cass, their mindset,” she added.

(L) Jenna Lyons and Cass Bird.

Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com/Shutterstock

RHONY Premiere: One housewife is called a ‘gas-guzzling, narcissistic asshole’ as Jenna is accused of being ‘poor’

In a video shared on social media in March, Bravo confirmed that the former J.Crew executive will return to the franchise for Season 15, along with Taanka, Sai De Silva, Ubah Hussan, Erin Dana Lichy and Brynn Whitfield after months of speculation.

That same day, the network announced her return, Lyons said The New York Times that she’s set a few boundaries and will keep her loved ones — including Bird — off the cameras.

“I have a relationship, but I would like not to name it,” she said at the time. “I want to keep her out of the press. That’s my obligation to her. That’s not on the table. I joined this process. She didn’t.”

Why RHONYSeason 2’s Jessel Taank Went ‘A Little More Carefully’: I Know the ‘Consequences’ (Exclusive)

(L) Cass Bird and Jenna Lyons.

Jenna Lyons/Instagram

Speaking to PEOPLE, Taank reminded fans that Bird is a photographer and prefers to be “behind the lens.”

“She’s not a very public person. She definitely hangs out, but it’s not her choice to be on a national television show,” the mom of two explained. “And you have to respect that. So I think as hard as it is for people to understand, they’re getting Jenna Lyons, which I think is the best thing in the world. So I think they should be happy with that.”

Lyons is not the only one who decided to keep her partner in front of the cameras. Taank revealed that de Silva’s husband David Craig will also make a rare appearance this season. Although they will still be in a “family environment,” she said David hasn’t been filming much with the whole group.

“That’s perfectly fine,” she added. “It’s like we love David and we’ll see him in front of the cameras, but if he’s not comfortable being in front of the cameras, then there’s not much you can do about it.”

Never miss a story — subscribe to PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Real Housewives of New York airs Tuesdays at 9pm ET on Bravo.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education