The Ultimate Guide To The Next Gen NYC Cast: Who’s Returning For Season 2 And The Shocking Legal Drama

The highly-anticipated Bravo reality series, *Next Gen NYC*, is officially back for a second season, with production already underway and a fresh wave of drama set to hit the Big Apple. As of December 2025, the reality show—which was first announced under the working title *Making It Manhattan*—has cemented its place as a must-watch series, following the lives of a new generation of New York City's elite, many of whom are children of beloved Bravo legends. The core cast is navigating college, burgeoning careers, complex family legacies, and the high-stakes social scene of Manhattan, but the latest updates reveal that Season 2 will feature major career shifts, a high-profile breakup, and an unexpected legal controversy threatening to overshadow the entire cast.

The show’s success is largely due to its magnetic cast, a mix of reality TV royalty, established models, and ambitious entrepreneurs. With the Season 2 renewal announced on October 22, 2025, fans are eager to know which stars are returning, who is out, and the shocking new twists awaiting them.

The Next Gen NYC Cast: Full Biography and Career Profiles

The inaugural cast of *Next Gen NYC* is a dynamic ensemble of Gen Z stars, each bringing a unique connection to the world of fame, fashion, and finance. The following profiles detail the current status and career trajectory of the main cast members confirmed for Season 2, as well as the key players from Season 1.

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• Ariana Biermann (Age: 24): The daughter of *The Real Housewives of Atlanta* and *Don't Be Tardy* star Kim Zolciak-Biermann, Ariana is a content creator and fashion entrepreneur. She is an NYU graduate and her storyline often focuses on her relationship dynamics and her life as a social media influencer. Recent news confirms her split from Season 1 co-star Hudson McLeroy, a major plot point for the upcoming season.
• Riley Burruss (Age: 21): A first-generation college graduate, Riley is the daughter of *The Real Housewives of Atlanta* icon Kandi Burruss. She graduated from NYU in 2024 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Business. She is currently studying for the LSAT, signaling a pivot toward a career in law, following in her mother's entrepreneurial footsteps.
• Gia Giudice (Age: 23): The eldest daughter of *The Real Housewives of New Jersey* star Teresa Giudice, Gia has been a reality TV fixture since childhood. After graduating college, she initially planned to attend law school but has since put that on hold to focus on her career as an influencer and the host of her own podcast, *Casual Chaos w/ Gia Giudice Podcast*.
• Brooks Marks (Age: ~23): Son of *The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City* star Meredith Marks, Brooks is a fashion designer and entrepreneur. He has his own eponymous clothing line, *Brooks Marks*, specializing in luxury track apparel, which has been featured at events like Park City Fashion Week. His Season 2 storyline is expected to focus on expanding his fashion brand in the competitive NYC market.
• Emira D'Spain (Age: 29): An Emirati-born American model, television personality, and social media influencer, Emira made history in 2022 as the first Black transgender woman to model for Victoria's Secret. She brings a fresh, established career perspective to the cast, focusing on her work in the fashion and beauty industries.
• Ava Dash (Age: ~24): The daughter of Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Damon Dash and fashion designer Rachel Roy, Ava is a successful model and author. She co-authored the book *96 Words for Love* with her mother and is a graduate of Loyola Marymount University. She is also a passionate philanthropist, working with organizations like The Teen Project.
• Georgia McCann: A fourth-generation New Yorker, Georgia is known as an NYC "it-girl" and works as a brands and events creative strategist. Her deep connections to the city's downtown scene and her quirky personality made her a breakout star of Season 1.
• Shai Fruchter: A global citizen who grew up in Israel and China before settling in New Jersey and eventually New York's East Village. Shai is a creative and a wildcard on the show, currently working as an entrepreneur with a focus on transforming vintage apparel.
• Charlie Zakkour (Age: ~30): A crypto trader and private investor who is known for ruling NYC’s club scene. His storyline centers on his wealth and high-stakes financial world, though his name has recently been linked to a shocking legal controversy.
• Hudson McLeroy: Son of a billionaire, Hudson was Ariana Biermann’s boyfriend in Season 1. His status for Season 2 is unclear following their public separation, making him a likely exit or a source of major conflict.

The Biggest Twists and Drama Set for Next Gen NYC Season 2

The first season of *Next Gen NYC* laid the groundwork for the cast’s intertwining lives, but the announcement of Season 2 filming has brought with it a series of real-life events that promise to deliver the most explosive drama yet. The new season is set to focus heavily on the shift in the cast’s relationships and the high-profile careers they are building (or delaying).

The Housewives’ Kids: Career Pivots and Family Legacies

A central theme for the returning cast is the pressure of living up to their famous parents' legacies while forging their own paths. Riley Burruss, who has a degree in Music Business from NYU, is now studying for the LSAT, suggesting a serious move into the legal world, potentially following in the footsteps of her mother, Kandi, who is a mogul in her own right.

Conversely, Gia Giudice has chosen to pause her law school dreams to capitalize on her reality TV fame and social media presence. Her decision to focus on her *Casual Chaos* podcast and influencing career will likely be a major point of discussion, especially given her mother Teresa Giudice’s well-documented legal history. This pivot highlights the Gen Z reality of choosing content creation and brand partnerships over traditional white-collar careers.

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Brooks Marks will continue to pursue his self-titled luxury fashion line, *Brooks Marks*, showcasing the challenges of launching a high-end apparel brand in Manhattan. The dynamic between Brooks and his mother, Meredith Marks, and the influence of the *Real Housewives of Salt Lake City* world on his career will undoubtedly be a key storyline.

The Crypto Scandal and Cast Shake-Up

Perhaps the most shocking development impacting the new season is the legal drama surrounding Charlie Zakkour. The crypto trader’s storyline has taken a dark turn, with reports linking him to a shocking crypto-related legal matter involving allegations of kidnapping and torture. While his official status for Season 2 remains "50/50," his involvement in such a high-stakes legal situation before the show even airs has already created significant buzz and controversy. This unprecedented reality TV scandal will undoubtedly be addressed, either through his presence or his sudden absence.

Another confirmed shake-up is the end of the relationship between Ariana Biermann and Hudson McLeroy. Their breakup, which happened after Season 1 filming, is a guaranteed source of drama, especially since Hudson’s return is now uncertain. This opens the door for new faces, with rumors swirling that Avery Singer, daughter of *The Real Housewives of New York City* legend Ramona Singer, may be in talks to join the cast, bringing a new layer of legacy and socialite drama to the ensemble.

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Beyond the Housewives: The Established Careers of the Next Gen

While the children of *Real Housewives* stars draw significant attention, the show also features young professionals who have already made major strides in their respective industries, adding a layer of genuine ambition and topical authority.

Emira D'Spain is a trailblazer in the fashion world, utilizing her platform as a model and influencer to advocate for authenticity and representation. Her work with major brands like Victoria's Secret and her influential presence on TikTok provide a contrast to the reality TV-driven careers of her co-stars.

Similarly, Ava Dash has a thriving career as a model and a published author, leveraging her background as the daughter of music mogul Damon Dash and designer Rachel Roy. Her focus on philanthropy with organizations like The Teen Project demonstrates a commitment to causes beyond the typical NYC nightlife. These established figures ground the show in real-world professional pursuits, making the cast a true reflection of the ambitious "next generation" of New York City.

With filming for Season 2 already underway, viewers can expect the new episodes to dive deep into these personal and professional crises, confirming that the stakes for this group of Gen Z stars are higher than ever before. The blend of inherited fame, self-made success, and unexpected legal drama ensures that *Next Gen NYC* will continue to be Bravo’s most talked-about reality show.