Carole Radziwill is making her return to The Real Housewives of New York City, but this time, it’s on her terms.
After stepping away from the show in 2018, Carole is officially coming back for Season 16 as a “friend,” and she’s now revealing the agreement she made before signing on.
“Andy said that I could film as much or as little as I want,” she shared to People.
That level of flexibility appears to have been key in her decision to return after such a long break — especially given her complicated history with the show and with Andy Cohen.
Andy, for his part, admitted he was thrilled to have her back.
“My pitch was essentially to join us in a way that should be light, fun, additive to the show,” he said. “And, hopefully, somehow, to her life.”
Carole’s return comes eight years after her exit, which followed a highly publicized falling out with Andy. The two have since reconciled, with Carole even making a surprise appearance on Watch What Happens Live in 2025.
Still, she acknowledged that coming back isn’t without its risks.
“To go back to something that I was such a big part of, you know, is a bit of a risk for me,” she admitted.
In addition to navigating the show itself, Carole is also facing renewed public attention around her past — including discussions about her former friendship with Ghislaine Maxwell.
But over time, she says she’s learned how to handle that kind of scrutiny.
“You’re going to be misunderstood, and it’s okay,” she explained. “It’s a really hard place to get to, but once you’re there, it’s, like, a peaceful feeling.”
With a more relaxed role and a different mindset, Carole’s return to RHONY is shaping up to look very different from her original run — and this time, she’s clearly in control of how much she wants to give.
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