Luann de Lesseps Claims RHONY Cast Is Relieved Bethenny Frankel Quit
These two are frenemies for life!
Ever since the beginning of The Real Housewives of New York City, cast members Bethenny Frankel and Luann de Lesseps have been the definition of frenemies and although they ended the season 11 reunion on a high note, it seems like Lu is definitely glad the Skinnygirl mogul is off the show.
In a new interview on The Jenny McCarthy Show, she reacted to Bethenny leaving the franchise and went above and beyond to throw shade at her former costar. When asked about her exit by the host Jenny McCarthy Lu said she was shocked but also claimed filming with her was like walking on eggshells. Luann shared:
“I was shocked. I was surprised and not surprised in a way because I think that she’s in a relationship that I don’t think she wants to bring around on the show. And I think that Bethenny, I always say, she’s a lot of fun. She can be really nasty. I always held my own with Bethenny. Her and I have always had this up and down relationship and she’s not an easy person to manage. That part I’ll miss because it’s challenging. I found the fun in it. I’ll miss her, but at the same time, when you’re around her, it’s like walking on eggshells.”
Luann also threw in the fact that the entire cast is "relieved" Bethenny won't be back and that now other women can come in and shine. In other words, she thinks Bethenny was the center of attention and she's happy she's gone so she can have more screen time. Lu isn't wrong tho, the producers definitely edited the show in Bethenny's advantage and it will be interesting to see what happens in her absence, Lu stated:
“The whole cast is relieved in a way and it also leaves breathing room for other women to shine and show their personalities because a lot was Bethenny coming in and stealing the show. It just leaves room for us to be a little more in our own skin, feeling more comfortable about what we are doing and shining.”
They also spoke about Bethenny literally announcing her departure from the show only hours before she was meant to start filming without telling her cast members or Bravo, which objectively is so fucked up and Lu couldn't help but throw some shade about Bethenny disrespecting the network that made her famous. The Cuntess said:
“Bravo didn’t know. [It was a] hell of a way to leave a show that’s been so good to her. Because let me tell you, when she tanked in her talk show, she came back with her tail between her legs to the Housewives.”
When asked how the other women were taking the news, Luann revealed Ramona Singer almost lost her mind when she saw a place set for Bethenny at a fashion show they attended as she thought the producers were trying to pull a fast one on them. Ramona is so intimidated and threatened by Bethenny, so the mere thought of her surprising them during filming is must-watch TV, let's hope the producers leave it in next season. Luann explained:
“This is insider scoop… We go to a fashion show, right? And there’s a place set for Bethenny Frankel at this fashion show while we’re filming and Ramona freaked out. She’s like, ‘Is she coming?! Is she coming?! Oh no, she’s not coming, is she?’ I’m like, ‘Ramona, calm down, it’s just a mistake. Relax.’ She’s just scared of her. She’s terrified of Bethenny. Ramona would tell you herself, she’s scared of Bethenny. Most people are. She was terrified that she might come and actually be on the show sitting in that seat."
A "source close to production" spoke to Hollywood Life and said Bethenny wasn't surprised by Lu's public diss and maintained that Little Miss Skinnygirl did have friends on the cast which means not everyone is "relieved" she's gone. Although I agree with everything this "insider" said, it really doesn't take long to figure out who leaked this one to the press...
The "source" revealed the two Housewives haven't spoken since she left the show and maintained that Bethenny did have "real" friendships with her other RHONY costars who definitely weren't "relieved" when she left the franchise, they explained:
“Bethenny Frankel and Luann haven’t spoken in quite some time so for Luann to be talking about Bethenny like this is questionable to some. To say the entire cast is relieved Bethenny quit the show isn’t true. Lu and Bethenny did not get along. Bethenny had real friendships with Sonja [Morgan], Dorinda [Medley] and Tinsley [Mortimer]. That’s three friendships — so it’s not right nor fair for Luann to speak on behalf of the entire cast like that."
The article went onto say Luann is happy Bethenny is gone and only made those comments because she knew they'd land her in the press - which is just facts upon facts. When the Skinnygirl mogul returned the first time Luann had to plaster on a fake smile, so she definitely would've let a sigh of relief out when she heard the news she was leaving. The source also added:
“Lu definitely knew what she was doing by making those comments, though. She knew they’d get everyone’s attention and that’s Lu, so nobody is really surprised she did that. Lu is happy Bethenny is done with the show. They clearly were not the best of friends. Of course [Luann] prefers having her not around, but not everyone feels that way. Some of the ladies do miss having Bethenny around.”
Thoughts? Sound off in the comments!
