Season 12 of The Real Housewives of New York will have to make do without Bethenny Frankel.
The original star confirmed that she will be leaving the Bravo TV reality series ahead of its 12th season.
“I have decided to leave the Housewives franchise to explore my next chapter,” Frankel said in a statement. “It’s time to move on and focus on my daughter, my philanthropy and my production partnership with Mark Burnett, producing and starring in shows which represent a shift in the conversation for women.”
She later took to Instagram thanking her fans for their never-ending support.
“I am so grateful to you for sticking with me through everything. You started this journey with me in my tiny apartment in my late 30s, wondering what would happen to me. I was broke, single, had no family and no idea what the future held… I had big dreams and I never stopped, but I honestly didn’t know if I would ever get here… You helped me to get here… Thank you so much for your love and support. And stay tuned, you haven’t seen the last of me. There are many amazing things to come. I love you all and am so lucky to have you in my life!”
He co-stars, however, would have loved to learn of her exit, from her. Ramona Singer said that she “respects the fact that Bethenny has decided to go on with other endeavors,” but that she’s “disappointed that Bethenny did not inform her costars that she’s not coming back to the show.”
Season 11 starred Frankel, Tinsley Mortimer, Dorinda Medley, Sonja Morgan, Singer, and Luann de Lesseps.
