When Bethenny Frankel announced that she was exiting Real Housewives of New York before Season 12, viewers were stunned. Since her RHONY departure, Bethenny has been busy. She has been on the front lines with her efforts to help those affected by the coronavirus.
Bethenny had a role in getting Leah McSweeney cast on RHONY. Leah and her naked tiki torch throwing shenanigans made a big splash on the show. Leah has been attending protests and posting on social media in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The RHONY newbie has been vocal in her belief that the show needs diversity. And it turns out, Leah isn’t alone in her calls for diversity on the franchise.
According to Page Six, Bethenny shared how she has submitted names for casting during an interview on Watch What Happens Live on September 24. Bethenny revealed that she has recommended quite a few candidates to join RHONY, “including several African-American women.” I had no idea that Bethenny was scouting possible Housewives in her spare time.
“I love you and I love what you guys are doing and I wanted to say that because I got messages about that,” Bethenny told host Andy Cohen. Andy confirmed that Bethenny does submit names, including infamous former RHONY star Aviva Drescher. Wow–so we have Bethenny to blame thank for Aviva dramatically tossing her prosthetic leg on a table. Andy did not respond to Bethenny’s comments about adding a Black cast member.
RELATED: Alicia Quarles Reportedly Joining Real Housewives Of New York Next Season
One of Bethenny’s Twitter followers reached out to her after her interview on Watch What Happens Live. The fan thanked Bethenny “for trying to refer black women to #RHONY! I mean it’s NYC. There are black millionaires ‘housewives’ a plenty on the UWS.”
Bethenny replied, “For years, I have submitted black women. We live in NY. This isn’t a new or innovative concept. It’s truth.” Boom! Mic drop. Page Six reported that Bravo didn’t issue a comment. And Andy didn’t acknowledge what she said during the episode
RELATED: Leah McSweeney Wants More Diversity On Real Housewives Of New York; Says “Everyone Should Be Against Racism”
But Bravo may be getting the message. There are reports that Bravo is adding Bershan Shaw to the mix. Bershan, who is a motivational speaker, would be the first Black Housewife on Real Housewives of New York. She has reportedly been filming with some cast members.
Nothing has been confirmed yet by Bravo, and we don’t know if Bershan would be a full-time addition, or a Friend of the Housewives. It’s about time that Bravo delivered a more culturally diverse RHONY cast.
RELATED: Ramona Singer Apologizes For Her “All Lives Matter” Comment; Claims She Was “Misinformed” And “Not Educated Enough”
TELL US- ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT BETHENNY HAS BEEN SUBMITTING NAMES OF POSSIBLE RHONY HOUSEWIVES? SHOULD RHONY HAVE A MORE DIVERSE CAST? WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE BETHENNY COME BACK?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]
