Whatever happened to that group of kids who tried to be the real-life Gossip Girl? Honestly, it feels like a fever dream now. In 2009, Bravo launched NYC Prep, a docu-series that followed six wealthy teenagers navigating the brutal social hierarchy of Manhattan’s elite private schools. It was meant to be the next The Hills. Instead, it lasted exactly nine episodes and vanished into the ether.
But the internet doesn't forget. While the show was a flash in the pan, the lives of the cast of NYC Prep took some of the most bizarre, successful, and—in one case—truly heartbreaking turns in reality TV history. You’ve got billionaires' grandsons, fashion moguls, and people who completely vanished from the grid. Let’s get into the messy reality of what happened when the cameras stopped rolling.
The King of the Upper West Side: PC Peterson
Peter Cary "PC" Peterson was the undisputed "villain" of the show. He was arrogant, lived in a massive apartment with his mom, and spent most of his time dodging the romantic advances of Jessie Leavitt. He’s also the grandson of Peter George Peterson, the billionaire former US Secretary of Commerce.
PC didn't become the famous actor he claimed he wanted to be. Instead, he made massive headlines in 2018 for a wedding that felt like a plot point from a scripted drama. He married his best friend, socialite Quentin Esme Brown, in a quickie Las Vegas ceremony. Tiffany Trump was the flower girl. Yeah, that really happened.
Since then, PC has largely traded the spotlight for a camera lens. He’s a professional photographer now, splitting his time between New York and Byron Bay. It’s a far cry from the teenager who famously said he "didn't want to be ordinary," but honestly, he seems way more chill these days.
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Camille Hughes: The Girl Who Wanted Harvard
Camille was the high-achiever. If you remember her from the show, she was obsessed with her GPA and getting into the Ivy League. She famously didn't get into Harvard, which was a huge storyline at the time.
Where is she now? She’s doing great, actually. She ended up going to the College of William & Mary, where she majored in neuroscience. After graduating in 2015, she ditched the New York winter for the California sun. She’s spent years working in product development for Arbonne, a major skincare and wellness brand.
In 2020, she got engaged to her husband, Michael, during a "quarengagement" on their property overlooking the Pacific. She has a son now and keeps her life relatively private, though she’s one of the few cast members who still maintains a public Instagram presence. She basically won the "most likely to succeed" award in real life.
The Heartbreaking Mystery of Taylor Houbolt
This is the part that keeps fans up at night. Taylor was the "normal" girl on the show. She went to a public high school (Stuyvesant) and was often the moral compass among the wealthy chaos.
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For years, rumors have swirled on Reddit and TikTok that Taylor fell on incredibly hard times. There are unverified reports from people claiming to be former classmates or NYC locals who say they’ve seen her panhandling in subway stations. These accounts suggest she struggled with substance abuse and experienced homelessness.
It is important to be careful here—these are internet rumors, not confirmed news reports. However, the fact that Taylor has zero digital footprint in 2026 is jarring. In an era where everyone from NYC Prep could be making bank on "Where Are They Now" TikToks, her total silence is loud. We can only hope she’s found peace away from the public eye.
Jessie Leavitt: From "Boss Bitch" to Chanel
Jessie was the girl who seemed to be trying the hardest to "make it" in the fashion world while still in high school. People called her abrasive back then, but watching it now? She was just a 17-year-old who knew what she wanted.
She followed through. Jessie graduated from FIT and landed a career in fashion merchandising. She spent years working for Chanel—the ultimate "full circle" moment for a girl who grew up on the Upper East Side. She got married in 2019 (no, not to PC) and goes by Jess Leavitt Brown now. Out of everyone, she probably stayed the truest to her original "brand."
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The Rest of the Crew
- Sebastian Oppenheim: The guy with the legendary hair is now a real estate agent in New York. He married TV host and chef Skyler Bouchard in 2019. They’re basically a lifestyle influencer power couple.
- Kelli Tomashoff: Kelli wanted to be a singer. She did the whole "recording an EP" thing on the show, but she’s mostly stayed out of the public eye since then. She still pops up in old Getty Images from 2009-era parties, but she’s not chasing the pop star life anymore.
Why We’re Still Obsessed with NYC Prep
There’s something about this show that hits differently than The Real Housewives. It was the last gasp of "pre-Instagram" wealth. These kids were rich, but they weren't "influencer" rich. They were legacy rich.
The show failed because it was too real in a way that made people uncomfortable. It wasn't polished. It was just teenagers being teenagers with too much money and not enough supervision.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re looking to scratch that 2000s nostalgia itch, here is what you can actually do:
- Watch it on Peacock: The entire nine-episode run is currently streaming. It’s a fascinating time capsule of 2009 fashion (think headbands and waist belts).
- Follow the survivors: Sebastian Oppenheim and Camille Hughes are your best bets for current life updates on social media.
- Check out the "Successors": If you like this vibe, look into the 2021 Gossip Girl reboot or My Unorthodox Life for a more modern take on Manhattan's elite.
The cast of NYC Prep might have been a one-season wonder, but their paths—from billionaire weddings to the fashion halls of Chanel—prove that reality TV fame is a weird, unpredictable beast.
Next Steps for You: You can head over to Peacock to stream the series or check out Sebastian Oppenheim’s real estate listings if you’ve got a few million dollars burning a hole in your pocket.