‘RHONY’ Cast: Bethenny Frankel Quits Bravo’s ‘Real Housewives of New York’
Bethenny Frankel has just shaken up The Real Housewives of New York after she announced she wouldn’t be returning for Season 12. The Bravo reality show was set to start production in the coming weeks and rumors around which housewives would be fired were rampant. Although it was expected that all ladies would return, the former talk show host will leave a wide spot open for someone new to come in.
Why Is Bethenny Frankel Leaving ‘RHONY’?
This is not the first time Frankel leaves the reality show after first joining in 2008. The entrepreneur left Housewives during the show’s third season in 2010 and rejoined in 2015 for its seventh season.
“I have decided to leave the ‘Housewives’ franchise to explore my next chapter,” Frankel said in a statement via Variety. “It’s time to move on and focus on my daughter, my philanthropy and my production partnership with Mark Burnett, producing and starring in shows which represent a shift in the conversation for women. With the changes in modern culture, I want to highlight the strength, confidence and unstoppable power that women have.”
Frankel also added: “My experience at Bravo has been an incredibly magical ride. I am so grateful to them for highlighting my entrepreneurialism and allowing me to pave the way for many women to achieve their goals. I am excited for my future. The best is yet to come.”
What Is Bethenny Frankel Doing After ‘RHONY’?
As her statement reads, Frankel is going to focus on her production deal with Mark Burnett that was made official back in March of this year. The partnership includes unscripted projects that she will attach herself as a producer as well as other ones that will feature her as the star.
“We are thrilled to have Bethenny Frankel join the MGM television family and bring her unique entertainment savvy that has been loved by viewers since her appearance on The Apprentice and Shark Tank,” Burnett said in a statement via Deadline.
Frankel also added: “I am truly honored, humbled and grateful to be working with the powerhouse game changer Mark Burnett, the innovative Barry Poznick and to have access to the unparalleled resources at MGM television. This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I intend to maximize its potential.”
Poznick also had kinds words for Frankel who is also the CEO of the Skinnygirl lifestyle brand. “Bethenny is a force. Her energy, attitude and entrepreneurial experience aligns perfectly with what we have planned for MGM in the years ahead for new network, cable, SVOD and syndication series,” Poznick, president of unscripted television for MGM Television Group, said.
Bethenny Frankel and Luann de Lesseps Feud
Frankel was a big personality on RHONY and her absence is going to be felt throughout the group. The explosive housewife had a love-hate relationship with Luann de Lesseps as she was recovering from her addictions, but things turned sour when the former accused the latter of using her sobriety for fame. The feud was picked up during the reunion show following Season 11.
The drama between Frankel and De Lesseps would be an interesting storyline going into Season 12 that viewers will not be able to witness. However, the cabaret star did give an update on their friendship following the feud.
“It’s something that happened, you know, over six months ago, so it’s always hard to see that again because we’ve gotten to a different place,” she told Entertainment Tonight in July. “It was tough. I felt really bad because I know there were a lot of things going on in there and it wasn’t just about me. I think I handled it pretty well considering.”
“It was a tough moment and I think, as we go back a long time, I think that friends do get angry at each other and they do yell at each other,” she added. “If you don’t care, you don’t bother with people, right? So I thought it was a true show of [Bethenny’s] love for me.”
