Bethenny Frankel announced she was leaving The Real Housewives of New York in August, to work on a new show that is set to help female entrepreneurs succeed. Former RHONY star, Jill Zarin, recently opened up about Bethenny’s exit from the show on SiriusXM’s ‘Jeff Lewis Live.’ Jill said, “I think she was done. She certainly started a lot of new projects, she’s getting more into Hollywood.”
Jill added, “She’s one person. How can she be in both places at the same time? If she really wants to do that on the West Coast, she can’t be in New York.” Jill is set to appear on the RHONY this season. It’s also likely that Bethenny will be on the show here and there, according to Andy Cohen. Jill starred on the RHONY from 2008 to 2012. According to Page Six, Jill noted that they don’t talk a lot outside of filming the hit series.
Jill said, “Bethenny is the first to say that she doesn’t have a relationship with the girls other than filming, that it’s a job. I think she’s got enough freedom and choices now to move on and, you know, I always feel like Bethenny always knows when the party’s over. I think she feels it’s on the downswing, I’m guessing, and she never wants to be the last man standing.”
Bethenny and Jill were both OG’s of the RHONY. Bethenny was on the show from 2008 to 2010 and then left. However; she returned to the show back in 2015. Bethenny and Jill reconciled last year after Jill’s husband Bobby passed away.
According to Radar Online, Bethenny is regretting her decision to leave the RHONY. Bethenny has a new production partnership with Mark Burnett and MGM television. It’s being reported that she is worried that she won’t get to spend the time she wants with her daughter, Bryn, due to the demanding schedule. According to sources, “Bethenny had it made as the star of RHONY. She was the highest-paid Housewife, only worked a couple of days a week filming the show, and the producers were flexible with her schedule. All she had to do was show up and the network and producers handled the rest. Now, Bethenny will be expected to develop, produce, edit, star in and be on set every day and work long hours, sometimes pulling all-nighters. She is worried that she won’t have time for her business and is stressed about doing all of this as a mom.”
Bethenny had shared in her announcement to leave the RHONY, “I have decided to leave the ‘Housewives’ franchise to explore my next chapter. 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.”
According to insiders, this is all allegedly taking a toll on Bethenny. Insiders claimed, “Bethenny didn’t realize how much she’d be expected to be in LA, and has been trying to go back and forth so she doesn’t have to pull Bryn out of school. As a result, it’s putting a ton of pressure on her and she’s questioning if she made the right decision.”
Sources added, “MGM expects Bethenny to deliver or the deal is done. MGM rolled out the red carpet for Bethenny in Hollywood and she debuted at the Emmys. But behind the scenes, she is questioning if all the stress is worth it.”
Andy has stated that Bethenny can come back again whenever. Sources stated, “Andy Cohen and others knew what she was getting herself into and tried to talk her out of it, but they are confident she will be back. That said if she does return she won’t get anywhere near the same money. And she will also lose millions of dollars in free promotion that Bravo gave Skinny Girl.”
It feels like the end of an era with Bethenny leaving the RHONY again. However; I think she will come back as she did before. She’s a big personality and brings a lot to the show. I have a feeling we will be seeing both Bethenny and Jill – and I’m here for it! I wish them both happiness.
Thoughts on this all? Will Bethenny and Jill return to the RHONY? What do you think of Bethenny’s new deal? Are you going to watch her show? Share below!
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Sources: Radar Online, Page Six