When thinking of the elite women of Bravo’s ode to New York City, it’s hard not to think of Bethenny Frankel, the ‘OG’ housewife who helped set the tone for the legendary “Real Housewives Of New York” franchise!
Frankel was a series regular on ‘RHONY’ from the show’s inception, until season 11 which aired in 2019. After putting down her apple and exiting the show, she has stepped further into the role of media personality and humanitarian through doing her part to help provide relief for Ukraine.
Now three years and two ‘RHONY’ seasons later, Frankel could be returning to reality TV!
Recently Andy Cohen announced ‘RHONY’ will be majorly reconstructed for its upcoming season.
In addition to new casts members on the show on the “Real Housewives Of New York,” the series will give a nod to and focus legendary housewives through a spin-off series.
Will Bethenny Frankel Be Returning?
While social media and ‘RHONY’ queens past and present have been buzzing with excitement over the potential cast list for the ‘OG’ series, Bravo insiders are hard at work contacting potential housewives and finalizing details.
There’s a chance the former talk show host and connoisseur of cocktails may join the ‘OG’ series!
The Skinnygirl cocktails CEO took to her podcast to give ‘Housewives’ devotees her current thoughts on the situation, but fans may want to pump the breaks over the possibility of Frankel’s return.
She said, “Many of you have been asking me for a response to the ‘Housewives’ announcement. So a couple of weeks ago I got a text from, you know, the powers that be in the Bravosphere saying, ‘Is there a chance? Is there a chance? Just asking, is there a chance?,” as per an article in People.
Frankel is also asking some questions about the series, herself.
The ‘OG’ housewife added frankly, “she didn’t understand what the new series featuring ‘OG’ cast members would be. [The series] Really wasn’t an announcement.”
Not-So-Sure: Could The ‘OG’ Queen Be Hesitant?
The premise of the upcoming series seems to feel a bit shaky in Frankel’s eyes.
She continued to give a glimpse into Bravo’s insider planning for the series when she added, “I know from a bunch of producers and people in the industry that they’re casting the show of new people and they clearly don’t know who the show of old people will be because I was asked to be on it.”
The possibility of finding Frankel in front of cameras again may come with a cost, literally!
The 51-year-old’s would-be salary may be on the forefront of her mind.
“When asked, I say, there’s a number, but I don’t think you could afford it.”
Frankel’s CEO mindset also lingers over the possibility of her return.
“They don’t necessarily need my advice but unless you’re creating some new thing that you’re reviving an entire brand and doing something entirely new, I don’t even see how that applies to me because I didn’t necessarily even understand what it was,” she revealed.
Official casting announcements will likely be announced later this year.
Frankel’s former “Real Housewives of New York City” co-star Luann de Lesseps recently revealed her thoughts on the show, sharing she would be surprised if her fellow ‘OG’ cast member Ramona Singer wouldn’t be asked to appear.
de Lesseps said, “[Ramona’s] a woman that [many have] grown to love. We’ve seen her on television for so long.”
Whether Bethenny Frankel or Ramona Singer decide to appear on the show, Cohen is optimistic about its future success.
“You know we’re at a crossroads for ‘RHONY’, we’ve spent a lot of time figuring out where to go. And the plan we’ve come up with, I think is a real gift to fans.”
