Real Housewives of New York is ramping up to return for Season 12! It premieres tonight (April 2) and will feature one exception to the cast – Bethenny Frankel. The reality star exited the series again ahead of this season, thus announcing her second departure from the show. Frankel had previously left after the third season, only to return for the seventh. But, one star thinks it is for the better that Frankel is gone again!
Luann de Lesseps, who Bethany Frankel has given fans updates about in the past, thinks Frankel’s absence has made the show better. You may now be wondering why the Countess feels that way. Well, it has a lot to do with the impact de Lesseps feels Frankel had on her Real Housewives of New York co-stars. The reality star told EW:
Bethenny is a strong character, she’s a wonderful person, very accomplished, great TV, but I think it’s much better without her. We had to walk on eggshells around her. You never know what would set her off. We weren’t able to show ourselves more because we were always under her scrutinization and her dominance. You know what I’m saying? Like I said, it’s really the best season yet, because I feel like, you know, Bethenny takes up a lot of oxygen in the room.
The candid Countess is not holding back! Luann de Lesseps indicates that filming with Bethenny Frankel was not the most pleasant experience. That is, unless you consider having to navigate eggshells an enjoyable task. The Real Housewives of New York star, who has taken a self-effacing track in the past, continued by making a bold assertion.
Luann de Lesseps declared that Season 12 is the best one yet, and she indicates there is more oxygen available for the remaining cast without Bethenny Frankel. It will be interesting to see how The Real Housewives of New York does without one of its biggest stars. Whatever you think of her, Frankel has been a popular presence on Bravo.
Real Housewives of New York without Bethenny Frankel seems like the equivalent of having Wheel of Fortune without Pat Sajak. Just enter the lead star of your favorite show to further the idea of how odd it is to watch a series when a long-time and beloved element is missing. Regardless, Luann de Lesseps does not seem concerned about the quality of Season 12 without Frankel.
At least Luann de Lesseps cushioned the blow of what she said by speaking positively about Bethenny Frankel as a person and a professional. Plus, it is not as if Real Housewives of New York has not had to handle seasons without Frankel.
The franchise has seen its share of drama and exits, and managed to survive. Most recently, Real Housewives of Orange County saw star Tamra Judge quit and remove her co-stars from her social media. Add in a bonkers pizza fight courtesy of Real Housewives of New Jersey, and you can tell the Bravo franchise, as a whole, is still seeing a lot of action.
Real Housewives of New York fans are about to see what action the new season holds! Its first season without Bethenny Frankel in quite a while will be an adjustment. The veteran reality series is not the only one to return without a significant star, as Real Housewives of Beverly Hills is coming back without Lisa Vanderpump.
Find out how the housewives take a bite out of the Big Apple without Frankel! Season 12 of The Real Housewives of New York premieres Thursday, April 2, at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo. The reality series is one of the many airing new this spring.
