Dorinda Medley is sounding off after Jessel Taank failed to recognize one of her most iconic Real Housewives looks.
During Tuesday’s episode of SiriusXM’s Reality Checked, Dorinda and co-host Kiki Monique reacted to Jessel shading Dorinda’s famous Lady Gaga bubble costume during Ultimate Girls Trip.
Dorinda recalled arriving at the Halloween party wearing the memorable bubble dress, only for Jessel to question what she was wearing.
“The Halloween party comes up. I come out in the famous super iconic bubble dress and Jessel basically says to me, ‘What are you wearing?’” Dorinda recalled.
Kiki admitted she was equally stunned by Jessel’s reaction, especially after Dorinda explained the history behind the costume.
“Everyone knows the iconic Lady Gaga dress,” Kiki said. “And if you don’t, then I don’t know what rock you have been living under.”
But Jessel’s response after learning the backstory only made things worse.
“So, you’re wearing a repeat outfit,” Jessel remarked on the show.
Dorinda quickly clarified, “First of all, it’s not an outfit. It’s a costume.”
According to Dorinda, Jessel genuinely had no idea what the look represented.
“She had no idea what it was. She had no idea why I was wearing it,” Dorinda said. “And then when I tried to explain to her, it made her even more confused.”
Dorinda admitted she was close to losing her cool before Chanel Ayan stepped in.
“Thank God for Chanel Ayan who grabbed my hand,” Dorinda recalled, explaining that she ultimately decided to walk away because, “I am gonna just decimate this person,” and she wanted to enjoy the night instead.
Dorinda said she initially gave Jessel a pass for not recognizing the costume but expected her to understand once she explained its significance.
“You didn’t recognize it? Okay, not good,” Dorinda said. “We’re on our franchise, we kind of should be recognizing iconic things.”
Kiki also questioned Jessel’s defense that she comes from the fashion world and therefore doesn’t believe in repeating looks.
“Do you understand what this outfit represents?” Kiki asked.
Dorinda pointed out that it was a costume party and added that she has no problem repeating clothing in her everyday life.
“I do repeat even in my fashion world and I consider myself quite fashionable,” she said.
What appeared to bother Dorinda even more was discovering while watching the episode that Jessel continued discussing the look after Dorinda walked away.
“She was still talking about it, now I find out watching it,” Dorinda said.
Kiki wondered whether Jessel may have been trying to create a moment by going after one of the franchise’s longtime Housewives.
“We know sometimes trying to take down the top dog is like the way to get your moments,” Kiki said.
Dorinda didn’t appear convinced.
“It’s impossible in that situation,” she responded. “You might as well throw a ball of yarn to a cat or, in my case, a lion.”
Dorinda then revealed exactly what she wanted to tell Jessel in the moment.
“I find it absolutely fascinating that you are on a franchise that we built with several iconic moments and you don’t know about them all,” Dorinda said. “I think it would behoove you to do a big bit of research and not wear something that was on last night. Use your imagination.”
She added that newer Housewives should have some appreciation for the women who came before them.
“I think that there should be… a level of respect for the original,” Dorinda said.
Kiki agreed, pointing out that the cast was attending a party celebrating 20 years of the Real Housewives franchise.