Bravo Finally Weighs In On 'RHONY' Rumors, Network Says Bethenny Frankel & Tinsley Mortimer Are NOT Returning To Show Next Season
We have good news, and we have bad news – it really just depends on how you feel about Bethenny Frankel.
Bravo has just confirmed that the 50-year-old RHONY OG-turned-Skinnygirl mogul will NOT be returning to the Real Housewives of New York franchise, despite the various reports claiming she was in serious talks with executives to make her third comeback in Season 14.
The network also confirmed that Tinsley Mortimer would not be returning next season, either.
"These are all rumors and there is no truth to this," a Bravo rep told OK! Magazine shortly after alleged insiders dished to celebrity gossip site Deumoix that showrunners were "working overtime to secure a Bethenny Frankel and Tinsley Mortimer return."
One source even claimed Mortimer was "closest to signing" and that Frankel wasn't "far behind."
Another source insisted that Bethenny was willing to come back to the show under certain conditions, claiming that she was allegedly demanding an executive producer credit (which in theory would mean more money) and also apparently wanted the luxury of filming only three days a week.
But she says there's zero truth to any of it.
"I posted on Insta that my being in talks w @BravoTV is [100 emoji] false," Frankel tweeted just now. "I deleted there & took here Bc Haiti is what's important & I don't want to clutter msgs w false gossip. The leak is desperate for attention."
She added that she hadn't "spoken to bravo since leaving" and that she and pal Andy Cohen "don't discuss rhony."
As it stands, the current cast is made up of Ramona Singer, Luann de Lesseps, Sonja Morgan, Leah McSweeney and Eboni K. Williams.
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, insiders have consistently told us that Singer's job is in jeopardy after a cringe-worthy season marked by racial, social, religious and political insensitivity.
- Former 'RHONY' Star Bethenny Frankel Reportedly Acting Like A Diva During Negotiations With Bravo Over Return To Show
- Bravo Reportedly Working To Bring Back Bethenny Frankel & Tinsley Mortimer To 'Real Housewives Of New York'
- ’RHONY’ Cast In Chaos As Show’s Producers Prepare To Fire & Hire Housewives!
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Other reports have said that Williams' spot is also safe, though Bravo has not confirmed.
Additionally, the overall consensus of (again, unconfirmed) reports is that de Lesseps will come back as a "friend of" and both Morgan and McSweeney's returns are not guaranteed.
One thing that does seem to be certain is that Bravo and NBCUniversal are in crisis mode over this show. Once a top-earning franchise, RHONY's ratings have plummeted in recent months.
Not only was the number of episodes of Season 13 cut short midway through airing, but the ladies' subsequent reunion taping is still up in the air.
As one insider put it, there's "a serious conversation happening" among execs about how to save this series. This same source claimed that Bravo was "desperate to find a famous housewife" to add to the bunch.
