Demoted? Countess LuAnn De Lesseps' ‘RHONY’ Role Reduced, Missing From Season Six Cast Photo

After a contract stand-off, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps decided not to return as a full-time cast member for the sixth season of The Real Housewives of New York City, RadarOnline.com has learned.

Bravo released a snapshot of the cast – and noticeably absent was RHONY veteran De Lesseps, 48, who will appear less-frequently in the season. She’s still coming back, though, but in a recurring role.

Listen! 'RHOP' star Wendy Osefo breaks down the “most intense fight in the show's history” in under 2 minutes.

"The show has been a part of my life for so long," De Lesseps told E! News. “There's a special place in my heart for the show, for the women, I'm really close to the women on the show. I just made the decision to step back so I can spend more time doing my things with business and my family.

"It's a win-win for me," she continued. "I'm still on the show. I'm still very much a part of the show, but it's not a fulltime thing. It's very engulfing when you're on it. It takes up all of your mental and physical energy."

The Countess – who broke up with long-term boyfriend Jacques Azoulay in late 2013-- is missing from the first three episodes of the new season because she hadn't signed her contract with Bravo by the time cameras started rolling on season six.

Back this season are Aviva Drescher, Sonja Morgan, Carole Radziwill, Ramona Singer, and Heather Thomson, as they “navigate their hectic lifestyles of jam-packed social calendars, careers, relationships, children and the hustle and bustle of city living,” the official Bravo press release said.