The Real Housewives of New York City replaced Bethenny Frankel with Tinsley Mortimer’s friend Leah McSweeney. With the exit of one of the OG housewives, the show has already begun filming with Leah in her place.
Bethenny, one of the very first of The Housewives of New York City stars, has revealed, right before the 12th season, that she will be leaving the franchise in order to focus on her 9-year-old daughter Bryn, her philanthropy, and future endeavors in the entertainment industry. The reality TV star and entrepreneur had gone to Instagram and wrote a heartfelt message of thanks and encouragement to her castmates and to her loyal fans. There were plenty of both fans and castmates alike that were saddened by the news of her no longer being a mainstay on the show. There were some rumors tossed around as to who might be replacing the popular housewife, such as Missy Pool (an ex-girlfriend of Luann de Lesseps’ ex-husband Tom D’Agostino) and Barbara Kavovit (who was “friend” of the housewives last season and is expected to be exiting the show). Now, the search is over and both of the rumored new housewives turned out to be false.
According to Us, Bethenny has been replaced by a woman in Tinsley’s circle of friends - 36-year-old Leah McSweeney. Tinsley has been apart of The Real Housewives of New York City for the last three seasons. Bravo has been known to find new cast members for the franchise by looking within the main housewives’ friend circle, and it turns out that was the case this time. Not only are Tinsley and Leah friends, but they have apparently already been on a show together. The source explained, “Leah and Tinsley are friends and have filmed together.” The source went onto explain why Leah is a good casting choice for the show, saying, “She’s glamorous, fun and wild in all the right ways.” On her Instagram post, of herself and her daughter, she liked a fan’s comment that reads, “Can’t wait to see you on RHoNY.”
Leah, born and raised in New York City, is the founder and CEO of a female fashion line called Married to the Mob. She is also no stranger to television. In 2010, she appeared as a client on an episode of Bravo’s The Millionaire Matchmaker. She then had a cameo on VH1’s Love & Hip Hop: New York. Leah is also a single mom of her 12-year-old daughter, Kier, whom she shares with her ex. It seems she will fit right in with the other single housewives - Ramona Singer, Dorinda Medley, Sonja Morgan, and Luann de Lesseps.
The new housewife is sure to fit in with the other cast members of The Real Housewives of New York City as she already is a friend of Tinsley, and the shakeup in the cast will sure to bring a new dynamic to the show. It’s a bittersweet time for The Real Housewives of New York City, but there is definitely going to be new drama with all-new cast members in season 12.
Next: RHOBH: Brandi Glanville Says Gina Kirschenheiter’s Life is Mirroring Her Own
Source: Us, Leah McSweeney
