Bethenny Frankel expressed mixed feelings about NeNe Leakes’ return to Bravo for the upcoming special “Real Housewives: Ultimate Road Trip,” celebrating 20 years of the franchise. Though Frankel insisted she was “so happy” and “thrilled” for Leakes in a recent Instagram video, her comments took a critical turn. She speculated that Leakes might be returning due to financial struggles or a desire to stay relevant.
Frankel, a “Real Housewives of New York City” alum, also claimed credit for the road trip concept, revealing she once pitched a similar show to Bravo featuring just herself and Leakes traveling cross-country. She alleged producers rejected the idea, calling Leakes “kryptonite and toxic.” Frankel did not specify when this pitch occurred but asserted she “has all the receipts.”
Additionally, Frankel highlighted the “interesting dynamic” of Bravo rehiring Leakes after the latter sued the network and Andy Cohen in 2022. Leakes had accused Bravo of tolerating racial insensitivity, though she later dropped the suit without prejudice. Frankel remarked, “I’ve never in history heard of someone go after a company… and then that company hire them back.”
Fans criticized Frankel’s remarks as backhanded, with many urging her to “move on” and dismissing her show pitch claims. Some noted Bravo had previously planned a road trip series with Leakes and Kim Zolciak over a decade ago, undermining Frankel’s assertion.
While Leakes and Cohen have reconciled since the lawsuit, Frankel’s feud with Cohen persists. He recently mocked her as a “margarita lady” and criticized her “suffocating” social media presence. Leakes’ representative did not respond to requests for comment.