Luann de Lesseps offers advice to Sarah Ferguson on navigating public scandal

For many years, Luann de Lesseps lived unapologetically both on and off screen. From failed marriages and legal troubles to public victories,”The Real Housewives of New York City“Alum has overcome adversity in more ways than one.

Now, at the age of 60, the former Countess offers compassion and words of wisdom to Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York, as she copes with her own public turmoil.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, de Lesseps said – who is preparing for A variety of cabaret shows Over the holiday season — she opened up about how she’s managed to survive her public challenges and shared some sound advice on how Ferguson stays grounded amid renewed scrutiny over her ex-husband Prince Andrew’s ties to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

“Real Housewives” star Luann de Lesseps explains why she started drinking again after promoting sobriety

Former Countess Luann de Lesseps offers words of wisdom to Sarah Ferguson on how to deal with public scrutiny. (Getty Images)

“I feel for her, and I feel for the girls too. It’s very difficult, and you have to hold your head up because there will be talk, there will be talk, it’s not pretty,” she said. “I mean and [Prince Andrew] He wasn’t honest about it. And I think for the man in your life, the father of your children, to not be honest about something like that is very hurtful.”

Andrew has faced multiple allegations of sexual assault amid his association with Epstein.

“I think they’re going through a big crisis in their life, and it’s really about holding your head up high and knowing that this isn’t their fault,” De Lesseps said. Fergusonwhich publicly condemned Epstein after learning of the allegations in 2011. “What happened with [Andrew] It’s not their fault. I mean, this is all happening behind their backs. So I can relate because I have had a cheating scandal in my life. “So it’s hard to get past that, especially in the public eye… It’s hard to hold your head up during a crisis, but you have to do it.”

She added: “It’s like dying in a certain way. It’s a grieving process. So it takes time to get to the point where you can laugh at it.” “But I think until you get there, you can’t blame yourself. It’s not really your fault. It’s his fault. And as hard as it is, you can’t blame yourself for something like that. It’s a journey.”

De Lesseps finds creativity through her cabaret shows. (Joseph Okpaku/WireImage)

de Lesseps He knows very well how to get over a scandal.

The reality TV star married Count Alexandre de Lesseps, a member of the French nobility, in 1993, but divorced in 2009 after 16 years of marriage. In 2016, she married Tom D’Agostino, but they divorced eight months later after he was caught cheating on him. A few months later, de Lesseps was arrested and charged with disorderly intoxication, battery on an officer/firefighter, resisting arrest with violence, and menacing a public servant.

“I want to offer my sincere apologies to anyone I may have offended with my behavior,” De Lesseps said in a statement. “I am committed to a transformative and hopeful year in 2018.” People magazine at that time.

However, over the past seven years, de Lesseps has been open about her struggles, finding a creative way to express herself and work through her ups and downs.

‘Real Housewives’ Star Luann De Lesseps Says No to Powers After 6 PM Stays Fit at 59 Years Old

“When I started cabaret eight years ago, I didn’t know it would ever work. It was very scary because not only was it my first cabaret, but it was filmed for ‘Housewives’ as well, and there was no pressure there. So people really liked it and that I was able to keep doing my shows. They’re not always the same because life is cabaret, and it’s constantly changing.”

The former Countess said she had no idea how successful her cabaret career would be. (Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

She continued: “To be able to continue my career until the age of sixty, because I turned sixty this year and I am living my best life.” “And I said to myself yesterday, I was like, ‘I’ve got to be creative. I’ve got to do what I want to do… My show is really, it’s pop culture meets, cabaret meets comedy, meets fashion show because I do a lot of changes. I like to bring a lot of glamor, and my fans love that, and it’s a good reason for them to dress up, wear their best sequins, their statement necklaces, and come out and see my show. And this is a big nod to what I do.’

De Lesseps says authenticity and vulnerability are what makes her shows so successful — and what helps her navigate the ebb and flow.

Do you like what you are reading? Click here for more entertainment news

She said: “I live special moments on my show, and I talk about what is happening behind the scenes, and I talk about what is happening in my life.” “And that’s where my show is always different because my life is constantly changing and constantly evolving like everyone else’s. And I’ve had 13 years of ‘Housewives’ and people have watched me get divorced, remarried, divorced again, and dating.”

WATCH: Former Countess Luann De Lesseps tells Sarah Ferguson how to survive the Epstein scandal

“My life is out there, and I think the camera doesn’t lie. I think if you’re not real and you’re not really living your real life, I think people can really see that.”

Click here to subscribe to the entertainment newsletter

“I think we have to live with our inner diva… I think it’s about being happy with who you are. I think that’s where it really starts. And when you’re happy the energy flows through. So when I do my shows, I’m really spreading joy and inspiration to women, and I want them to know that at any age you can live your best life. It’s not about the number. It’s really about how you feel about yourself and the energy that you put out there. And I think that’s very important.”

The 60-year-old has dealt with her share of scrutiny, but she’s learned to shake it off. (Sophie Holland/Bravo)

Despite her new outlook on life, de Lesseps said it took time and experience to get to this point in her life.

WATCH: Luana de Lesseps is living her ‘best life’ at 60, fueled by endless cabaret shows that sparked her creativity

“Not everyone is going to like you. There are a lot of negative people behind social media who are not living their best lives, of course,” she said. “So they have to choose what’s right for you. And so the way I act is I don’t let what people think of me affect me. And I always say I love whoever I want, and I cry when I have to, and that’s true. So when someone makes me feel uncomfortable or is dismissive or a negative hater, I empathize with them. I really put it on them. It’s really about them. It’s really not about me. So I protect myself in a lot of ways.”