Luann de Lesseps Hopes to Bring Some Holiday Cheer to a Cabaret Near You

When there was talk about a shake-up of the "Real Housewives of New York" cast last month, People magazine reported, "the Countess isn't going anywhere – if it's up to her, that is."

Luann de Lesseps�told the mag that she has every intention of returning for the next season of the Bravo hit, despite ongoing rumors of a major�cast shakeup in the works after a shaky season. The reunion show was canceled and producer�Andy Cohen�then�said�the series "is in pause mode" at this time.

The Countess, though, isn't on pause – she's currently on tour with a new cabaret show "A Very Countess Christmas" that recently finished its run at Feinstein's/54 Below and is headed out on tour through December 28, including a date at Boston's Wilbur Theatre on December 18. Other dates on the tour are December 16th, Count Basie Theater,Red Bank, NJ; December 19th 2021, Paramount Theater, Huntington, NY; December 26th 2021, The Parker, Fort Lauderdale, FL; December 27th 2021; and December 28th, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa, FL.

"With 13 seasons of reality TV behind her, there's plenty to talk about, not to mention all the swirling rumors that fans will want to hear about from the girl herself," reads the show's press release, "It's time to dust off the diamonds and tiaras, because #AVeryCountessChristmas is one stylish night out."�

"I love so much being creative with my cabaret and I love my work in television," Lesseps told the website Heavy when asked about her future. "I've been at it a long time, even before the Housewives. I used to work for Italian television...�[I want] to keep on being active, to keep working in television and to enjoy a thriving cabaret career. I do love performing, I do love the live interaction with the fans, and I love the creative aspect of putting together a cabaret show. If I can do this for many years to come, that would be such a gift."

de Lesseps is no stranger to controversy. Just this week she made headlines for an incident in Washington, DC over a restaurant bill, which she laughed off, according to the Daily Mail. "Luann laughed off the controversy and revealed the whole thing was a big 'misunderstanding', adding that she paid the check in full."

And as Countess fan Abby Ledoux wrote in reviewing her cabaret show, "That's the thing about the Countess: You can't exactly make fun of someone who's decidedly in on the joke." For instance, after an incident last year involving an arrest, she added to her cabaret show: "I've been traveling, I've been to prison," she famously says in footage of her leaving rehab (for what would not be the last time).

"The entire cabaret show is like one giant, campy gift to�RHONY�fans, chock-full of Easter eggs and inside jokes from�the�11 seasons it's spawned since 2008. There are video montages, hilarious monologues, and a not-insignificant number of costume changes," Ledoux wrote of the show.

EDGE spoke to the de Lesseps about the show, how cabaret came into her life and why she still wants to be a "Real Housewife."

EDGE: What are you most looking forward to about performing this show in front of audiences?

Luann De Lesseps: That wonderful feeling that you get from being in a room with the audience. I love being around people and the feeling I get from them. I've been in rehearsals for about two months now and I just can't wait to get on the stage. The live audience energizes you and helps you perform. I started performing cabaret because I love to host parties at my home, I love to sing for my friends, and I love to tell stories and jokes. So, doing this show just worked out up perfectly free in terms of my next step.

EDGE: #CountessAndFriends first premiered in 2018, what has been your journey with this show and how has it evolved?

Luann De Lesseps: It's evolved and continues to evolve in a big way. In the beginning, I had a lot of guests in my show and now I don't. We noticed whenever I had a guest come and sing it would take away from what the show was about. That's why this time we renamed it "A Very Countess Christmas." I will be singing some Christmas songs that I love and have been able to make them my own, plus I'll be singing some of my own music. I do a Q & A with my audience. I think people are going to really enjoy it. I am just so thrilled to be able to share my love of the holidays with everyone.

EDGE: What do you love most about performing in Boston?

Luann De Lesseps: I grew up in Connecticut and spent some time in Boston. Years ago, I had a boyfriend that went to college at UMass. I love being in Boston because my fans are fabulous, and I always sell out. It's always a great crowd and people just love the show, so it's just a really fun time for me.

EDGE: Will the legendary Billy Stritch be joining you here in Boston?

Luann De Lesseps: Yes, he is amazing. I met Billy while he was performing at a charity event and for Broadway Cares about six years ago. We hit it off and started working together at different events. When I decided to do cabaret, I called him and I said, "I don't want do this without you." He joined me and has been on my tour since I started in 2018 and he continued to be my musical director. I am also working with Broadway producer and director Richard Jay Alexander. He has also worked with Barbara Streisand, Kristin Chenoweth, and Bernadette Peters. So, I'm one lucky lady.

EDGE: What keeps you returning to the "Real Housewives?"

Luann De Lesseps: It's a job and one I've been doing for a long time. They are my discombobulated housewife family and it's not always perfect, but we are family. I have a lot of fun doing the show. It's been a great journey and I definitely talk about it in this show. I am grateful for the show because it has opened a lot of doors for me. Also, because of the show I've been able to promote the charitable organizations I work with and raise awareness for them.

EDGE: Your latest Holiday Music Video "Christmas Is Coming Early This Year" was just released. What can you tell us about the song and making the video?

Luann De Lesseps: Billy Stritch wrote that song along with music producer Bruce Roberts. When it was decided that we were going to do a video I knew I had to include the housewives, so that nobody could come at me. They're always up into my stuff about my cabaret. We filmed this during a pandemic. We got the Intercontinental hotel to open their top floor suite in New York for us. I also included the Women of the Fortune Society in the video. I felt like we were going through so much that I just wanted to do something really happy and positive for them all.

I couldn't be happier with how the video turned out. Since it was filmed during the pandemic it sure was wonderful to get dressed up and have someplace to go. I had tons of caviar delivered for Ramona and she did end up eating most of it. It just was a really great time to celebrate the holidays with the girls.

EDGE: You have already authored one book, "Class With The Countess." What can you tell us about your second book.

Luann De Lesseps: Yes, I'm writing about my life. For anyone who has watched "Before They Were Housewives" then you know about my life. A lot has happened since then and I am ready to share that fateful night with everyone and what has happened to me and how I picked myself up and moved on. I'm excited for people to read about who I am. People think they understand who I am from watching the show, but that is just a small glimpse into my life. After reading it, I hope that people will understand me better. If I am able to help someone by what I have gone through, then that makes me very happy. I always say no matter what happens to in your life you grow by picking yourself up and learning from your mistakes.

EDGE: What does the holiday season represent for you?

Luann De Lesseps: You know, if I can bring joy to people in their lives and get joy of doing what I do, that's all I can ask for.