Lead: Two new faces are set to join The Real Housewives of New York City for season 16: Hailey Glassman, known for her past relationship with Jon Gosselin, and Daisy Toye, a longtime makeup artist for Martha Stewart. The casting update was reported March 2, 2026, as production prepares to begin in New York City this week. Producers are pairing tabloid-recognized personalities with industry insiders as the franchise renews its focus on fashion, beauty and social connections. Returning cast members announced alongside the newcomers include Erin Lichy, Sai De Silva, Jessel Taank, newcomer Erika Hammond, and the long-awaited return of Carole Radziwill after an eight-year absence.
Key Takeaways
- Season: The additions are for The Real Housewives of New York City, season 16, with filming reported to start the week of March 2, 2026.
- New cast: Hailey Glassman (public relations professional) and Daisy Toye (celebrity makeup artist) have been added to the roster.
- Hailey’s profile: Glassman first entered public view in 2009 due to a brief relationship with Jon Gosselin following his split from Kate Gosselin.
- Daisy’s profile: Toye has worked high-profile shoots, red carpets and as a long-term makeup artist for Martha Stewart, linking her to New York’s beauty and social circles.
- Returning and new roles: Erin Lichy, Sai De Silva and Jessel Taank are returning; Erika Hammond joins as a celebrity fitness trainer; Carole Radziwill returns after eight years.
- Production timeline: Reported filming begins in early March 2026, indicating episodes will likely be developed for a late-2026 broadcast season.
Background
The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY) has historically mixed socialites, entrepreneurs and creative professionals to foreground both personal drama and lifestyle content. Casting choices often aim to balance household-name recognition with authentic access to elite social scenes; that formula has driven viewership spikes in past seasons. Hailey Glassman re-emerged in media conversation because of a high-profile 2009 tabloid arc with Jon Gosselin, a reality-TV figure whose personal life received intense coverage at the time. Producers routinely leverage contestants with tabloid or celebrity ties to generate early-season buzz and social-media engagement.
Daisy Toye’s connection to Martha Stewart situates her within a different kind of cultural capital: the beauty and editorial circuits of New York. Makeup artists and stylists have become recurring power players on lifestyle reality TV, offering both behind-the-scenes authority and direct access to celebrity networks. Carole Radziwill’s planned return after eight years signals an attempt to reconnect with long-time viewers who followed the show during earlier seasons. The mix of legacy names and industry professionals demonstrates the franchise’s dual strategy of nostalgia and gatekeeper access.
Main Event
On March 2, 2026, entertainment outlets reported that Hailey Glassman and Daisy Toye would join RHONY’s season 16 cast. The announcement framed Glassman as a public relations professional whose past tabloid exposure could draw attention, while Toye was described as a seasoned makeup artist with established ties to high-profile clients, including Martha Stewart. Production sources indicated filming would commence the same week, suggesting the network is moving quickly to shape the season’s narrative arcs.
Along with the new additions, producers confirmed returning cast members Erin Lichy, Sai De Silva and Jessel Taank, plus newcomer Erika Hammond, a celebrity fitness trainer. Carole Radziwill is slated to rejoin the series for the first time in eight years, a development likely to attract viewers familiar with earlier seasons. The combination of returnees and fresh faces sets up multiple possible dynamics: reconnection with past storylines, new professional rivalries and lifestyle-oriented segments focused on beauty and wellness.
On-set logistics reported for early March 2026 include location shoots across Manhattan social venues and preparatory fittings that highlight Daisy Toye’s role in styling. Hailey Glassman’s background in public relations may position her as both a narrative participant and an off-camera connector to media cycles. Producers appear to be emphasizing visually driven episodes — beauty, fashion and events — alongside personal relationship plotlines that traditionally drive RHONY engagement.
Analysis & Implications
The casting of Hailey Glassman brings immediate tabloid resonance, which can increase initial audience curiosity but also risks reviving older controversies. For a franchise that often trades on interpersonal tension, a cast member with a known past relationship to a reality-TV figure may amplify early-season headlines and social-media discussion. That visibility can boost premiere ratings but also requires careful editing and producer management to avoid one-note storylines that fatigue viewers.
Daisy Toye’s entry signals a shift toward industry expertise and style authority within the cast. Makeup artists and stylists can anchor episodes around fashion events, editorial shoots and red-carpet moments, creating content that appeals to lifestyle advertisers and brand partners. Toye’s ties to Martha Stewart and established beauty circles give the show deeper access to high-end production values and potential commercial collaborations.
Carole Radziwill’s return is strategically significant: she represents continuity with RHONY’s earlier eras and can help re-engage long-term fans. Her presence may sharpen contrasts between legacy perspectives and newer cast members who represent social-media-driven fame or industry credentials. For Bravo and the production company, that tension is a predictable engine for both narrative complexity and audience retention.
From a business perspective, the mix of tabloid-linked personalities and industry professionals offers diversified monetization opportunities — from product placements in beauty segments to branded fitness collaborations tied to Erika Hammond. Internationally, recognizable names tied to American tabloid culture can increase syndication interest, while beauty-focused storylines translate well across markets where lifestyle programming performs strongly.
Comparison & Data
| Season | Notable Additions | Notable Returns |
|---|---|---|
| Season 15 | Primarily socialites and influencers | Several core cast members from prior seasons |
| Season 16 | Hailey Glassman (PR), Daisy Toye (makeup), Erika Hammond (fitness) | Erin Lichy, Sai De Silva, Jessel Taank, Carole Radziwill |
The table highlights a tangible casting pivot: season 15 favored social-media-era influencers, while season 16 mixes tabloid-recognizable figures with industry professionals. That shift may affect episode composition — more professionally themed segments (beauty, fashion, fitness) alongside personal and social drama. Early production notes pointing to Manhattan event shoots align with this editorial direction.
Reactions & Quotes
Initial public reaction on social platforms was swift, with fans dividing between excitement and skepticism about the blend of tabloid and industry figures. Below are brief representative reactions and paraphrased statements reported in early coverage.
Paraphrased network note: The production team emphasized enthusiasm for fresh voices who bring unique industry access and storytelling potential to the series.
Network statement (paraphrased)
Paraphrased industry take: Media observers noted Toye’s industry ties could elevate the show’s beauty and event-driven episodes.
Entertainment industry analyst (paraphrased)
Paraphrased fan reaction: Some viewers welcomed Carole Radziwill’s return as a draw for longtime fans, while others questioned whether new additions would balance or dominate screen time.
Social media commentary (paraphrased)
Unconfirmed
- No public details have been confirmed about individual contract lengths or financial terms for Glassman or Toye.
- Specific episode counts and the extent of Carole Radziwill’s role (guest appearances versus full-time cast) have not been released.
- Claims about cross-promotional brand deals tied to Daisy Toye’s industry connections remain unverified.
Bottom Line
The addition of Hailey Glassman and Daisy Toye to RHONY’s season 16 roster represents a deliberate blend of tabloid familiarity and industry credibility. That mix aims to rejuvenate the franchise’s visual and social storytelling while tapping immediate audience curiosity tied to past media attention and expert-driven lifestyle content.
How producers balance screen time among legacy figures, social-media personalities and industry insiders will determine whether the season sustains viewer interest beyond initial headlines. With filming beginning in early March 2026 and Carole Radziwill returning, season 16 is positioned to test whether nostalgia plus professional access can restore steady ratings and advertiser interest.
Sources
- TMZ — entertainment news report, March 2, 2026 (reporting on casting and production start)