Aaahhh.. the tale of woe that that is Real Housewives of New York casting continues. Taping allegedly begins in three weeks for the much maligned show, but the cast still isn't finalized!
When only three of the five members from last year's cast appeared at the recent Bravo Upfronts, it was assumed that certain ladies had been handed their walking pumps. It then emerged that most of it came down to a numbers game and salary negotiations.
Ramona Singer is definitely returning next season, but according to a new report she was fighting tooth and nail for a big pay bump before being summarily shot down and was threatened with getting fired.
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A source tells the NY Post that Ramona demanded her salary be doubled! "They want Ramona in the show because she’s the person everyone loves to hate,” said a source, “but they weren’t going to pay her that kind of money.”
Reinforcing that while she's worth her weight in pinot, that pinot is not made of gold, Bravo began excluding Ramona from events and promos until she agreed to back down. She was reportedly only invited to the Upfronts hours before it started because of "timing regarding her contract." Our source told us that a week before the presentation none of the RHONY ladies had been told of the event because contracts were completely up in the air at that point!
“While I will not comment on my contract negotiations with Bravo, I will say that I am definitely onboard for Season 6 . . . and could not be more pleased to be part of the cast,” Ramona said in a recent statement.
Ramona is not the only RHONY star embroiled in a contract situation! Aviva Drescher is the only lady from last season who is not in the active negotiation process and according to reports will not return to the show.
Sonja Morgan and LuAnn de Lesseps have "contracts on the table." Sonja dropped hints about filming at an event yesterday. Unfortunately Aviva is still "pending," despite jumping through hoops to make sure she can rejoin the show.
Apparently Aviva's co-op apartment, featured on last season's show, would not allow filming again and she was forced to move if she wanted to film at home. Aviva and her husband Reid rented a Park Avenue house to accommodate cameras. Unfortunately the move may have come too soon!
“She’s literally packing up boxes to move into this house she’s rented, which she doesn’t even like, so she can be on the show more — and they’re not bringing her back,” an insider declared of Aviva's status as a Housewife.
Bravo has been actively scouting for replacement ladies for months and pushed back filming several times. Jene Luciani, a NY fashion designer who lives in the suburbs of the city, has been rumored to be joining the show and has been spotted filming. However other reports claim Bravo isn't interested in casting a woman who does not reside full-time in the city and she may be relegated to a Friend of the Housewives this season.
Carole Radziwill and Heather Thomson are definitely returning for season 6.
TELL US – ARE RAMONA'S DEMANDS UNREASONABLE? DO YOU THINK AVIVA WILL RETURN?
