Bravo’s latest reality series, Next Gen NYC, is set to premiere on June 3, 2025, introducing viewers to an intriguing mix of young, wealthy New Yorkers navigating the complexities of adulthood under the spotlight. Among the fresh faces is Charlie Zakkour, a 29-year-old crypto trader and private investor, whose on-screen charisma and real-life connections have already stirred considerable buzz.
Charlie’s background is as fascinating as his on-screen persona. Son of Anwar Zakkour, a seasoned private investor and banking executive originally from Copenhagen, and Elizabeth Williams, an art collector, Charlie grew up surrounded by affluence and opportunity. Despite his privileged upbringing, Charlie’s Bravo bio describes him as someone who has been “ruling NYC’s club scene since he was 14,” blending charm with blunt honesty and a fiercely loyal nature.
On Next Gen NYC, viewers will see Charlie navigating the glamorous yet turbulent social scene of New York City, including his romantic escapades. Notably, he dates Chloe Marks, sister of fellow cast member Brooks Marks, sparking some drama as he candidly questions, “Brooks and I are friends, why would he not want me to wake up with his sister?” However, this relationship doesn’t seem to extend far beyond the show’s early episodes.
Adding to his mystique, Charlie claims to have dated actress Lindsay Lohan back in high school around 2014, a detail Bravo even substantiated with a blurry photo released as proof. But beyond the glitz and glamour, Charlie’s story took a surprising turn just weeks before the show’s debut.
In May 2025, Charlie was reportedly present during the arrest of fellow cryptocurrency investor John Woeltz in New York City’s Soho neighborhood. Although Charlie himself was not arrested or charged, Page Six reported that he was seen “looking concerned” in the background of a video capturing Woeltz’s detainment. Woeltz faces serious allegations, including two counts of assault, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal possession of a firearm, according to ABC7 NY.
Woeltz is accused of kidnapping and torturing his Italian cryptocurrency business partner, Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan, allegedly using electrocution and tasers. The arrest unfolded at what has been dubbed a “crypto crash pad,” an apartment where many investors, including Charlie, reportedly spent time. A source told Page Six that Charlie sometimes “crashed” at this apartment, though the exact nature of his connection to the case remains unclear.
Despite this proximity to a high-profile criminal case, Charlie maintains a clean legal record. New York City law enforcement confirmed he was not arrested or charged in connection to the incident. Yet, the timing of his presence at the scene has inevitably drawn attention, adding an unexpected layer of drama to his burgeoning reality TV career.
Next Gen NYC itself promises to be a compelling exploration of young adults raised in or near the spotlight, grappling with fame, family legacies, and personal ambitions. Alongside Charlie, the cast includes notable figures such as Riley Burruss, daughter of Kandi Burruss; Ariana Biermann, daughter of Kim Zolciak; Gia Giudice, daughter of Teresa Giudice; and Brooks Marks, daughter of Meredith Marks. The show’s premise centers on these interconnected lives, capturing the chaos and charm of their social circles through brunches, breakups, and spontaneous decisions.
Charlie’s role in the series is particularly captivating because he embodies both the privilege and pitfalls of this elite world. His candidness, flair for drama, and the real-life incident involving Woeltz’s arrest provide a narrative that’s hard to ignore. As Bravo fans tune in, they’ll witness a young man balancing the weight of his family’s legacy, his own ambitions in the crypto market, and the unpredictable nature of New York’s social scene.
Charlie’s journey on Next Gen NYC might just be the start of a long and eventful reality TV career. With his combination of charm, controversy, and connections, he’s poised to be a standout figure in Bravo’s lineup. Whether viewers will see more of his personal life unfold or how he navigates the fallout from the Woeltz arrest remains to be seen.
As the show premieres on Tuesday, June 3, at 9/8c on Bravo, audiences will get an inside look at the tangled web of friendships, family ties, and ambitions that define this new generation of New Yorkers. And with characters like Charlie Zakkour leading the charge, it’s clear that Next Gen NYC is ready to deliver the drama, glamour, and intrigue that fans crave.
