It was perhaps inevitable that Real Housewives of New York City star Daisy Toye would eventually host her castmates at her rent-controlled Manhattan apartment. The deal may be unbeatable, but the home’s dated details are impossible to miss. In an exclusive preview of tonight’s episode, Jessel Taank and Erika Hammond offer Toye their candid reactions to her cozy—and decidedly old-school—space.
The scene opens with Toye greeting Taank at the apartment door. “This is so chic,” Taank says, admiring the foyer and walls, though her enthusiasm quickly appears questionable. As Toye heads to the kitchen to fetch a drink, Taank looks upward and spots the ceiling. “Daisy, there’s popcorn on your ceiling,” she announces, clearly surprised. “Oh, God,” Toye calls back. “Haven’t you ever been in an apartment, Jessel, that has popcorn ceilings?”
“Maybe, like, in the ’80s,” Taank replies as she settles onto the sofa beside Hammond. Hammond immediately catches the joke, and the two women laugh. “I’m an ’80s baby,” Taank adds with a grin.
During her confessional, Taank makes it clear that she is less than impressed by the apartment’s decor. “Popcorn ceilings?” she says to the camera. “This is museum-worthy.” Back in the living room, she turns her attention to Toye’s living arrangements. “How long have you guys lived here?”
“I’ve lived here for 10 years; Eugene has been here for 21 years,” Toye explains. Taank starts to process the information. “So, he owned this place—” she begins. “Not owned it—rented it,” Toye quickly clarifies. Hammond is stunned. “You still rent this?” she asks. Toye confirms that the apartment is rent-controlled.
“For 21 years?” Hammond repeats, lowering the cracker in her hand. “I just spit out my food,” she says. “That’s actually psycho.” As Toye returns with another bottle of wine, Taank wonders whether the couple plans to remain there indefinitely. “So, you guys are never gonna leave this space?” she asks. “You’re happy here?”
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Toye says Eugene could stay put, but she would eventually need more room for her wardrobe. Taank takes a sip of wine with an unmistakably horrified look on her face. Assuming the reaction is aimed at the drink, Toye asks, “Is this disgusting?” Taank responds with disbelief: “No, I brought it.”
“Oh, okay,” Toye says, noticing Taank’s expression. “Because your face is like…” Taank quickly explains that the wine is not the problem. “No, ’cause I’m thinking about where you put your clothes,” she says. “Don’t ask,” Toye replies. “For the moment, we’re happy here.”
In her confessional, Toye stands firmly by her decision to remain in the apartment. “This is a rent-controlled apartment. This is gold. This is winning the lottery in New York City,” she says. Turning the comparison toward Taank, Toye adds, “Jessel, our rent is what you pay Doctor Balakin to laser your beard once a month.”
Hammond later shares her own, more diplomatic assessment. “Everyone has their own uniqueness to their apartment,” she says. “Some people—no one I know—that I’ve seen on TikTok have kitchens that are basically in their bathrooms. At least it’s not one of those!”
Will Taank come around to the idea that a rent-controlled apartment in New York City is worth embracing? Watch an all-new episode of RHONY tonight at 8 p.m. ET on Bravo to find out.