Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel is reportedly leaving the franchise due to contract disputes, not necessarily just to pursue other opportunities.
On August 21, 2019 it was announced that Frankel would be making an exit from the popular Bravo franchise series, which came as a surprise to many. Frankel said it was “time to move on.” The news stirred up drama when it was revealed that Frankel had not warned any of her co-stars that she was leaving prior to the public announcement, though they have all publicly wished her well as of now. On the same day, Frankel posted a lengthy caption to her Instagram page, saying goodbye to all of her fans, writing “Thank you so much for your love and support. And stay tuned, you haven’t seen the last of me. There are many amazing things to come.”
Since announcing her departure, a source revealed to Page Six that the reason behind Frankel’s exit from Real Housewives of New York boils down to “contract disputes.” She reportedly went into negotiations ahead of the show’s 12th season with guns blazing, and when the network wouldn’t agree to the salary she was asking, she walked. The source also told Page Six that Frankel went into negotiations with “one foot out the door” because she was confident that there were other opportunities waiting for her, so the decision to walk away wasn’t a difficult one. Though the salary she was asking for hasn’t been released, Frankel was reportedly paid $1.5 million for the 2016 season (season 8). In comparison, franchise cast member Nene Leakes, who stars on Real Housewives of Atlanta, will be going into season 12 of Real Housewives of Atlanta with a $2.85 million paycheck. Frankel was still at the top end with her $1.5 million, so fans are curious how much of a raise she was asking for.
Following Frankel’s announcement, speculation quickly started about who would be taking the star’s spot, if anyone. It has since been announced that fashion designer Leah McSweeney will be joining the Real Housewives of New York cast for season 12. McSweeney is a friend of Tinsley Mortimer, who joined the cast in season 9 of the show.
Frankel was arguably one of the most famous stars to come out of the Real Housewives franchise, and was always the fan favorite on The Real Housewives of New York. Fans have managed without her before when she took seasons 4-6 off, and maybe in a few years time Frankel will make her triumphant return to Bravo. We can dream, right?
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Source: Page Six
