Andy Cohen was not joking when he teased at Bravo Fan Fest that the upcoming episode of The Actual Housewives of New York Metropolis would characteristic a tear-jerking second.
RHONY delivered one of the actual and uncooked episodes in its 15-season historical past with the episode that aired on Tuesday, November 26 the place they acquired actual about abortion.
After the prank Erin Lichy and Rebecca Minkoff cooked as much as discover the “leaky pigeon” gossiping across the group, Lichy sat down with Jenna Lyons to admit one thing she wished to place on the market.
With the overturning of Roe v. Wade and girls’s well being protections in danger amid the 2024 presidential election, Lichy opened up about an abortion she had when she was 18 years outdated.
Lichy was approached by Glamour journal to speak about it publicly to create consciousness of the difficulty however was “very nervous about this interview popping out,” including, “I don’t suppose I used to be after I agreed to it as a result of it was type of like, no matter I can do to assist. However it’s onerous to be attacked by the general public, ‘Child killer! Homicide!’ It was dangerous sufficient going by it — nobody must be abused after it.”
In her dialog with Lyons, Lichy mentioned she had simply moved into faculty when she came upon she was pregnant.
“I used to be terrified, it was the toughest determination I’ve ever made. It was heart-wrenching,” Lichy mentioned.
After listening to Lichy’s story, Lyons opened up about her personal expertise, revealing she additionally had an abortion at age 21.
“I’ve informed my mates, I don’t know if I ever informed anybody in my household,” Lyons mentioned in her confessional. “I’m sharing with Erin as a result of I may see that she felt scared, and I would like her to really feel like she’s not alone. And I additionally need her to know that I perceive. It’s a extremely, actually onerous factor to undergo.”
In her confessional, Lichy mentioned, “Jenna telling me this story, it simply made me really feel like I’m supported. You’re now telling everybody your story, which I may’ve by no means imagined. She didn’t have to do this.”
Lichy informed Lyons that she had not informed her dad, who’s having some well being points, about her abortion and wished to take action earlier than the interview was revealed.
Afterward within the episode, Lichy and her dad are having lunch, and she or he opens up concerning the abortion she had and tells him she didn’t inform him on the time as a result of she was frightened of his response.
“You’re telling me 18 years later. What would I’ve completed then? I’d help you, in all probability,” Lichy’s father mentioned, which made her break into tears.
In her confessional, Lichy mentioned, “I don’t suppose I spotted that it weighed on me not sharing that with him, however just like the unwavering help, it’s simply… I don’t have phrases. I didn’t count on that.”
“The truth that there’s zero judgment on his face is one of the best half,” Lichy added.
Lichy additionally informed her dad that when she informed her mother, she revealed that she had additionally had an abortion. She then requested her father if he had ever gone by one thing related, and he revealed he had gotten somebody pregnant who ended up getting an abortion, too.
The emotional scene between Lichy and her dad ends with him telling her how a lot he loves her. 4 months after filming that scene, Lichy’s dad died.
“He’s simply one of the best. He’s one of the best dad. He was one of the best dad. I can’t consider he’s not right here, it’s nonetheless very recent,” Lichy mentioned in her confessional. “He’s such an enormous loss for all of us.”
A montage of Lichy and her dad taking part in with the RHONY star, saying, “I simply really feel so grateful. I grew up with an unimaginable human. I’ve such a spine due to that. So it’s like, yeah, it sucks, however I’m additionally extremely fortunate and I simply maintain on to that.”
‘RHONY’s tribute to Erin Lichy’s father Eli Yitzhari
Bravo