RHONY's Sonja Morgan Shares Surprising Secret Text Conversations With Filming Partner from 'Crappie Lake'

Sonja Morgan and Luann de Lesseps visited Benton, Illinois for their new series Welcome to Crappie Lake. During filming, Sonja, aged 59, formed a potential romantic connection with a man named Billy Richard. As their series premieres on Sunday, July 9, Sonja revealed that Billy frequently texts her expressing his interest. He often suggests driving up to see her, as he enjoys being behind the wheel.

Billy, a native of New Orleans who was visiting a friend in Benton, is faced with a daunting 20-hour drive ahead. However, his determination remains unwavering as he possesses a large truck with substantial wheels. Sonja humorously pointed out this fact. The reality star further revealed that she and Billy have considered arranging a meetup in Louisiana, although she admitted a preference for flying rather than driving. Sonja told Us, "Driving is such a long distance. We'll have to wait and see. I actually assumed the guy was from this area!"

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Luann, on the other hand, found herself drawn to another resident of Benton, although she felt limited in terms of prospects for lasting relationships. "In these small towns, it seems like everyone is already married," she revealed to Us. "I suppose that's because there aren't many options for entertainment, so it's understandable that people would seek companionship in marriage."

Welcome to Crappie Lake! Join us as longtime pals and Real Housewives of New York City costars bring their sophisticated charm to a small town with a population of just 7,000. Throughout eight episodes, we'll witness their adventures in mudding, catfish catching, and tractor driving, among other exciting activities.

Despite facing numerous challenging situations, Sonja and Luann's friendship remains unbreakable. Sonja expressed, "One of the highlights of this trip is how well Luann and I manage to find common ground. We respect each other's differing opinions and always find a happy compromise."

Luann expressed her agreement, but added that if the group were to have a second season, she would prefer filming in a more pleasant climate. She reminisced about the extreme heat they experienced in Benton, stating that it was the only place she had ever been where rain made the temperature even hotter.

Tune into Bravo on Sunday, July 9, at 9 p.m. ET to catch the premiere of Luann & Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake.

With reporting by Christina Garibaldi