Luann de Lesseps’ tenure on Real Housewives of New York has been an exercise in maintaining the image. She’s been living with the Countess persona even though the title doesn’t apply anymore. After her divorce from Count Alex de Lesseps, Luann kept up her persona and title. It was only when Luann married Tom D’Agostino and lost her Countess title that, symbolically, the façade crumbled. During that relationship, she ignored all advice and evidence in favor of keeping the optics of a happy and successful marriage.
After Luann’s December 2017 arrest in Palm Beach, her battle with alcohol became public. And it also became a focal point on the show. Luann’s scenes became a dichotomy between the focus on staying sober, and her blossoming career as a cabaret star.
