Bethenny Frankel is speaking out in defense of Milania Giudice after police bodycam footage from her emotional airport incident was made public.
The former Real Housewives of New York City star took to TikTok to criticize the decision to release and circulate footage of Milania during what appeared to be a deeply vulnerable moment.
Bethenny captioned her video, “This is very upsetting & does serious damage… #mentalhealth #emotional #theline.”
In the video, Bethenny said she believes the media crossed a serious line by putting out the footage.
“I think it’s so irresponsible of the media to be putting out this footage of Milania Giudice,” Bethenny said.
Bethenny acknowledged that Milania is legally an adult, but said she still views her as very young.
“I realize that she is technically an adult but she’s 20 years old and to me that’s a kid,” Bethenny said. “I realize that 20-year-old women can have children and do, but it’s still a child.”
Bethenny said Milania is “obviously going through something” and argued that no one should be judging how a family handles a painful private situation.
“And as a mother, for anyone to criticize their family, every parent goes through so many different things with their kids that nobody knows about,” Bethenny said. “Myself included.”
Bethenny explained that having something so personal aired publicly only adds another painful layer to an already difficult situation.
“And for that to be publicly aired, adding a layer onto something like this,” she continued.
Bethenny then referenced the recent tragedy involving Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber’s family, saying it makes every parent think about the emotional pain their children may go through.
“On the heels of the tragedy for Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, every parent thinks about the emotional pain that your child goes through,” Bethenny said.
She added that being a public person only makes that scrutiny more intense.
“As someone who is a public person, you think about the additional scrutiny and just the unusual circumstances,” Bethenny said.
Bethenny made it clear that she does not simply view the release of the footage as being in poor taste. She believes it is more serious than that.
“I just find it to be — it’s not even poor taste, just dangerous actually, dangerous, unfortunate, unnecessary and the line,” Bethenny said. “That’s where the line is.”
She continued, “When a young girl is going through something emotionally traumatic that really is a mental health issue, whether temporarily or permanently, it is all bets off and back the f*ck up.”
Bethenny ended by making her feelings clear.
“Honestly, I don’t like it. I detest it.”
Heather Dubrow also backed Bethenny’s message in the comments, simply writing, “Agree,” under the TikTok.
Bethenny’s comments come after bodycam footage surfaced from Milania’s airport incident involving her mother, Teresa Giudice, and older sister, Gia Giudice.
In the footage obtained by TMZ, Teresa was seen pleading with Milania during the emotional exchange and telling her she wanted to “save your life.” Gia was also seen trying to help her younger sister as police stood nearby.
Since the footage surfaced, several people close to the Bravo world have spoken out in defense of Milania and asked the public to show compassion.
Ashlee Holmes recently defended Milania on TikTok, reminding people that she is young and has gone through a lot publicly, including both of her parents going to prison, her father Joe Giudice being deported and the recent death of one of her best friends. Teresa responded to Ashlee’s post with a heart.
Joe Giudice has also asked the public to have compassion for Milania, saying she is going through a “very difficult period.”
Teresa released her own statement as well, asking for privacy and compassion as Milania heals.
