Fans Applaud Bethenny Frankel's 'Self-Reflective' Dig At Reality TV

Bethenny Frankel is reflecting on her choices following the controversy surrounding her most recent podcast episode.

The reality television personality, who left Bravo for the second time in 2019 and has criticized the network for its treatment of stars, also openly slammed her former pal Andy Cohen. Taking aim at his interview style, Frankel claimed that the father of one asks "problematic questions" during his "Watch What Happens Live" show.

Besides being a well-known face on "The Real Housewives of New York," Frankel has become a force for many outspoken and often controversial views.

She reminded fans of her dedication to honesty with a lengthy statement reflecting on her "words," "actions," and "opinions," tagging Internet personality Raquel Leviss and "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" star NeNe Leakes. She began by noting her attempt "to be authentic in sharing my views on popular topics" and then continued:

"While I may not agree with everything a public person says, I only know the "them" the media presents. It's our job to err on the side of the human being. I have been critical with the goal of protecting my daughter from false beauty ideals and images, but the responsibility of parenting falls on the parent not the public. Conflict and judgment sells reality tv. It's a phenomenon, featuring women I have pretended to know within a system designed for judgement and conflict."

She explained that even though she "didn't know these women at all," she has "now spent time with" and understands "many of them" without the "cameras, publicists, media articles, and shows designed to bring out our worst."

"I adored many of them long before reality tv, and began to strongly dislike many of them. Have they changed? Or is it the toxic environment designed for ratings?," the 52-year-old wondered.

Later in the statement, Frankel shared that her "one liners and quick wit" which were "often at others' expense" catapulted her "through the ranks of this toxic cesspool," adding that a "letter about an on set psychologist and a reduction of alcohol consumption is a nice step, but won't suffice."

After noting that she walked away from the cameras due to the realization of her "part in it," and affirming that she won't be suing for the lies the media peddled against her, she concluded:

"The reality reckoning, is true, real, and I'll lead by example and evolve for myself and for my daughter. This is not only a reckoning within an industry but one within myself."

The 2005 The Apprentice: Martha Stewart runner-up's candor was expectedly applauded by her fans, with one gushing in the comments, "Huge respect for you. When you know better you do better. You have come a long way since your upbringing. Brynn is lucky to have you."

"Always been the realist housewife. Give yourself some grace you did the best given your circumstances," a second fan wrote, while a "The  Real Housewives of Jersey" alum, Kathy Wakile, added, "Honest and Brave! That's what has set you apart as we live our priorities shift. All we can do, is Do Better."

"?? extremely well said @bethennyfrankel you are a force!! And truly inspiring!! Thank you. Cheers to your growth, your healing, your evolving. So much respect!!," a fourth fan exclaimed. 

As mentioned above, Frankel's Instagram post came soon after the latest episode of "Just B" podcast, where she had Leakes as her guest-of-the-week. During the show, the former "Bethenny" headliner had taken a swipe at Cohen in her continued criticism of Bravo, saying:

"The last time I went on that show, I was with my daughter, and … he's asking these questions like, 'Who's the ugliest Housewife?' And you're like, 'Oh, let me think.' [He'll ask stuff like], 'Who's the worst mother?' Questions that are so problematic."

The "Bethenny Ever After" alum then expressed her perception that the "WWHL" host enjoys a level of protection, while the show's guests often endure intense scrutiny and criticism, which she vividly likened to having "Tobasco sauce poured over" their "naked" bodies.

Prior to the drama, Frankel had shared a video on her Instagram page, using the phrase "I was the question mark character" to emphasize that her inclusion in the "Real Housewives" franchise was unexpected.

She explained that this situation arose due to the show's production company's search for an additional cast member following Bravo's insistence on having five wives, as opposed to its original request for four.

The mother of one revealed that she was recommended to the show's producers by Jill Zarin and her husband, Bobby. Upon seeing the YouTuber on camera, the producers were impressed and after some initial reservations, eventually decided to bring her on board.