Bethenny Frankel Seems Surprised Bravo Working With ‘Toxic’ NeNe Leakes

Former “Actual Housewives of New York Metropolis” star Bethenny Frankel insinuated that she was stunned to see Bravo reuniting with “Actual Housewives of Atlanta” alum NeNe Leakes after she sued the community in 2022.

In January 2026, Leakes made headlines when she confirmed that she can be returning to the “Actual Housewives” franchise within the community’s “Final Ladies Journey” spin-off.

In a TikTok video, Frankel congratulated NeNe Leakes on her epic comeback earlier than revealing she as soon as pitched a present with the same idea to “UGT” and stated that Bravo shot it down as a result of Leakes was too “poisonous.”

Frankel, one of many OG “Actual Housewives of New York” forged members, shared a video saying she was “thrilled” for Leakes, who has been away from the community since 2020. In her video, Frankel defined that individuals make choices for a lot of causes, whether or not monetary or for relevance.

With that, the Skinnygirl founder alluded to her shock that Bravo buried the hatchet with Leakes, who, in 2022, accused the community of discrimination in a bombshell lawsuit.

“NBC, Bravo and True foster a company and office tradition through which racially-insensitive and inappropriate habits is tolerated — if not, inspired,” a portion of the lawsuit said. “Because the Black Lives Matter motion swept our nation, Mrs. Leakes — Bravo’s traditionally most profitable Black feminine expertise — ought to have been embraced by NBC, Bravo, and True.”

Based on Frankel, she has “by no means in historical past heard of somebody [going] after an organization, taking authorized motion for various accusations, after which that firm hiring them again.” Persevering with, Frankel referred to as it an “attention-grabbing dynamic” earlier than spilling much more tea.

Based on a earlier report from The Blast, Leakes will return to Bravo within the upcoming “Actual Housewives: Final Ladies Journey” spin-off, which is able to have a good time 20 years of the enduring franchise. Whereas Leakes will not be a full-time forged member, the daring TV character may have a “notable” presence in the course of the Atlanta episode of the highway journey.

In her TikTok, Frankel revealed that she pitched a present to Bravo years in the past about herself and Leakes touring across the nation in an RV. Frankel claimed that after her conferences with producers, they informed her that the present would not work as a result of Leakes was “kryptonite” and “poisonous” and that “they might by no means contact it.”

Persevering with, Frankel famous that she would not suppose Bravo stole her thought, stating that highway journeys have been filmed and aired for years. Nonetheless, she stated Bravo’s newest transfer was an “attention-grabbing” take a look at how dynamics can change. “I believe it is a optimistic factor. The bridge was not burned as a result of they’re doing this present with NeNe with the identical idea.”

As she concluded the video, Frankel, as soon as once more, expressed her happiness for Leakes and ended with a seemingly shady message. “You are welcome,” she stated. “Time heals all wounds.”

In a video shared online, Leakes confirmed her return to Bravo, describing her comeback as a “actually lengthy, lengthy journey” that she could not imagine had come to an finish. “I am completely satisfied, overjoyed to say that I will likely be returning to Bravo,” she stated.

The previous Broadway star thanked a bunch of individuals, together with Bravo executives Frances Berwick and Andy Cohen, in addition to Bravo expertise akin to Porsha Williams and Phaedra Parks.

“So many individuals which have continued to throw my title within the ring. Thanks to everyone over at Bravo. Thanks to all of the folks over at Really Authentic. Thanks, Shed Media. Thanks to the producers on the bottom who’re calling and texting me, wanting this to be a tremendous factor,” she stated.

The Blast reported that quite a few Bravo stars despatched their congratulations and well-wishes to Leakes, together with “Actual Housewives of New Jersey” stars Melissa Gorga and Teresa Giudice. “Welcome again, my love,” Giudice wrote, whereas Gorga added, “There she is!!!!”