Luann de Lesseps, formerly of “The Real Housewives of New York,” found herself in the crosshairs of online critics following her holiday performance on Peacock’s new show, “Reality Hot Seat.” Some viewers didn’t hold back, accusing her of being “tone deaf,” while others poked fun at what appeared to be a moment where she forgot the lyrics.
“Reality Hot Seat” premiered this weekend, aiming to blend the excitement of live sports with the personalities of Bravo and Peacock stars. The show features Justin Sylvester (formerly of E! News), Kate Chastain (“Below Deck”), Heather Gay (“The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City”), and “Boston Rob” Mariano (“The Traitors”), offering a reality TV fan’s perspective alongside the Texans-Chiefs game at Arrowhead Stadium.
To kick off the inaugural “halftime show,” de Lesseps, 60, performed “What Do I Want For Christmas?” a song fans may remember from the 13th season of “RHONY.”
However, the performance didn’t resonate with all viewers, who took to social media to express their opinions. During the beginning of the song, de Lesseps seemed to stumble over the lyrics. She appeared to sing the wrong line but quickly recovered, laughing it off and raising her hand before continuing.
A clip of the performance was shared on the official Peacock Instagram page, where viewers voiced their disappointment, with some even claiming the singing was painful to listen to.
Critical Reception: Comments ranged from urging people to “stop encouraging her” and declaring that her “15 minutes are up!” to more direct criticisms like “Omg someone stop this horrible performance already” and “My ears are hurting.” One particularly harsh comment labeled the performance “Grandma Karaoke! So off-key and horrible!”
Supportive Voices: Not everyone was critical. Some viewers defended de Lesseps, praising her performance as “iconic.” One supporter wrote, “There’s nothing like the joy that Countess Luann can bring to us!” Another added, “Doesn’t matter if she can’t sing, she’s entertaining, sells seats to her shows and makes seven figures from it.” One user even joked that her appearance left singer Bad Bunny “shaking,” referencing his upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show performance in 2026.
This performance is just one stop on de Lesseps’ ongoing journey as a cabaret performer. She has built a career touring the country, performing her songs and sharing behind-the-scenes stories from “The Real Housewives of New York.” Her shows have even taken her to international locations like Canada and England.
De Lesseps began touring during her time on “The Real Housewives of New York,” and her fellow cast members were often seen attending her performances on the show.
Her appearance on Peacock comes shortly after a cover story where she shared her advice for women her age. She emphasized the importance of self-belief, stating, “If you don’t think you’re great, nobody else will.” She also advised, “Being interested is what makes you interesting. Put yourself in the right place, and you can draw attention and chemistry around you. Just say yes.”
Beyond her recent performance and advice, de Lesseps remains a prominent figure in the reality TV world. Her career has been the subject of much discussion, including:
Dating Life: Speculation swirls around her romantic life, especially concerning a potential new relationship on Peacock’s dating series.
Financial Success: Despite the fame associated with the “Housewives” franchise, de Lesseps credits her thriving cabaret career as the key to her financial success.
Cabaret Expansion: There is talk about her cabaret show potentially expanding into Europe.
TV Banter: Her lively TV banter with Joey Essex has also attracted attention.
Fan Engagement: Paige DeSorbo has captivated fans with her wit and memorable moments during her time on “Summer House.”