Carole Radziwill addressed her name appearing in the Jeffrey Epstein files during a cast panel ahead of her Real Housewives of New York City return.
The 63-year-old socialite and television personality spoke openly about the document release on Tuesday during a promotional Q and A session hosted by executive producer Andy Cohen.
Speaking in a video clip of the panel published by Vulture, Radziwill stated that numerous public figures found their names in the files and argued that transparency regarding the matter is essential.
"Me and many, many, many more people found our names in these files, and it’s not something I shy away from because I think really it’s important to talk about it," Radziwill said during the conversation. She added, "It’s important to be transparent."
Representatives for Radziwill and Bravo, the television network behind the reality franchise, did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Daily Mail.
Addressing Epstein Files and Ghislaine Maxwell
Radziwill previously broke her silence about her inclusion in the court records in March, when she explicitly denied knowing Epstein. The convicted sex offender died by suicide at age 66 in 2019 while held in custody awaiting trial on federal charges.
However, Radziwill acknowledged having once been friends with Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. She stated that she last saw Maxwell at an event in 2009.
During Tuesday's panel discussion, Radziwill asserted that she was completely unaware of Epstein's sex trafficking operation or his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
"Obviously, I didn’t know anything, as no one 20 years ago would have known anything, but it’s hard also," Radziwill said.
The author also reiterated her shock at learning about Maxwell's crimes after Maxwell was convicted of child sex trafficking in 2021.
"It’s hard to think that someone you knew that long ago, and even called a friend at some point, was a horrible, horrible person doing horrible things," Radziwill said. "That had all aired, at first I was really nervous. But I just think it's an opportunity to talk about it."
She emphasized the significance of the victims who came forward, adding, "There’s real victims and survivors that were brave enough to really stand up to these very, very powerful people. So, you know, not to be a downer, though."
Friendship with Ghislaine Maxwell and Memoir Cover
In an interview with the New York Times in March, Radziwill stated that she and Maxwell had been friends in the early 2000s for five or six years, describing their connection as strictly social.
During their friendship, Maxwell photographed the author photo for Radziwill's best-selling 2005 memoir, What Remains.
Radziwill maintained that nothing in Maxwell's demeanor gave any indication of criminal activity, explaining that she found Maxwell intelligent and educated.
"The thing about her that made it easy for me to spend any time with her at all was that she was very intelligent, she was educated," Radziwill said. "If you lined up 10 women, and you asked, like, pick the woman who would be involved in an international sex trafficking ring, it would not be her."
Radziwill stated that she had never witnessed any crimes committed by Maxwell or Epstein and was unaware of any allegations during the years they were friendly.
She recalled encountering Epstein once at a party held at Maxwell's home, but said Maxwell never discussed Epstein with her.
"I never knew Jeffrey Epstein," Radziwill stated, reiterating that she had no personal relationship with him.
Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution and was later charged in 2019 with sex trafficking and conspiracy to traffic minors for sex before dying in jail. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking of a minor and conspiracy to entice and transport minors for illegal sex acts, and was sentenced in June 2022 to 20 years in federal prison.
Radziwill was among several public figures whose names appeared in government documents compiled from contact lists, emails, and social events. Inclusion in the files does not indicate any criminal wrongdoing.
Confrontations and Heckling in Season 16 Trailer
The fallout from the file release features prominently in the upcoming 16th season of The Real Housewives of New York City, as shown in a dramatic trailer released in July.
In the trailer, Radziwill was heckled on the street regarding her ties to the documents while filming a scene with castmate Erin Lichy.
An off-camera individual shouted, "The Epstein files! She's the one from the Epstein files!" prompting Radziwill to ask, "Who is that?" as Lichy watched in surprise.
In a subsequent scene, castmate Sai De Silva questioned Radziwill about whether she had ever traveled to Epstein's private island.
"So you never went to this island?" De Silva asked.
Radziwill immediately responded, "No!" before asking De Silva, "You think I'm part of an international sex-trafficking ring?"
Return to Bravo and Season 16 Cast Details
Radziwill previously starred on The Real Housewives of New York City from season five through season 10 before exiting the show in 2018.
Although initial reports indicated she would return as a guest, she was subsequently promoted to the main cast for the rebooted series.
A teaser press release from Bravo noted that as Radziwill settles back into the group on her own terms, an emotionally charged chapter from her past resurfaces in headlines, forcing her to confront unresolved history.
Season 16 of The Real Housewives of New York City is scheduled to premiere on Tuesday, September 8 on Bravo.
Radziwill joins returning housewives De Silva, Lichy, and Jessel Taank, alongside new cast members Hailey Glassman, Erika Hammond, and Daisy Toye. Toye is known as the makeup artist for Martha Stewart, who will also make a cameo appearance during the season.
