Bethenny Frankel Threw a Fit and Blocked ‘RHONY’ Producers After They Said the Show Doesn’t Need Her Inside Sources Claim

Bethenny Frankel is not happy with Real Housewives of New York producers. Frankel, who left the series last summer, reportedly threw a major fit when a RHONY producer said cast members “don’t need” her anymore. Not only did Frankel block the producer from contacting her, but she also slammed the premiere of the new season.

Frankel bashes season 12 premiere of ‘RHONY’ over ratings

Frankel announced her departure from RHONY in August. The reality star had been on the series for a total of eight seasons and left to focus on other projects, like her charity, BStrong, which recently provided 250,000 masks to hospitals in New York City.

Although Bethenny Frankel is done with the show, she was not happy about the season 12 premiere. According to Page Six, Frankel slammed her former co-stars following the episode, saying their behavior was a “proverbial middle finger” to her.

“The beginning of the show was the proverbial middle finger to me,” Frankel stated. “The women have definitely had some unpleasant things to say about me … I wish them well.”

Frankel went on to say that she believes people are not tuning in as much because viewers are looking for more positive stories amid the current crisis. The Skinnygirl mogul stated that the drama on the show is not very “inspiring” and that the audience is looking for “something uplifting or some way to pay it forward.”

Her comments came after Luann de Lesseps said that the cast has been able to “express themselves” more now that Frankel is gone. De Lesseps then noted that she thinks season 12 is the “best season yet,” adding, “Bethenny who? It’s the best season ever!”

Bethenny Frankel reportedly threw a fit and blocked this top ‘RHONY’ producer

Frankel clearly has issues with how her former co-stars are handling her exit. But her beef with the show may have started last fall after a RHONY producer revealed that the series will do just fine without Frankel.

According to Page Six, producer Barrie Bernstein told fans at a BravoCon panel in November that current cast members “don’t need Bethenny.” Inside sources claim that Bethenny Frankel was very upset when she heard about Bernstein’s comments and immediately blocked him.

“Bethenny got wind of it, got very angry and blocked [Bernstein] from her phone,” a source shared.

In speaking to the crowd, Bernstein explained how they had “a lot of fun” with Frankel being the center of attention. After complimenting the former RHONY star, Bernstein added that the cast members have “done this for a while” and “don’t need Bethenny.”

“I think this season we’re really excited to shine that,” he concluded.

Frankel, who is now working on a reality series with HBO called The Big Shot, has not commented on the reports surrounding Bernstein.

How do ‘RHONY’ producers really feel about Bethenny Frankel?

In light of Frankel’s comments about the season 12 premiere, inside sources claim that the cast of RHONY is very angry with their former co-star.  Even some of her loyal supporters on the cast were not happy when she took a dig at the premiere’s ratings, especially considering how much the series has boosted her career.

“We all can’t believe she’s out there bashing the show when the ratings are good and she’s proclaimed to have moved on when she decided to leave the franchise,” a source revealed. “I know the ladies only wish her more success with her new show than she had with the last one!”

A source close to production told Page Six that Bravo host Andy Cohen was also furious when he heard about Bethenny Frankel’s comments. The source pointed out that Frankel will always be known foremost as a reality star, despite how much she touts herself as being a “producer, creator, mogul, and even philanthropist.”

Following the season premiere drama, a rep for Frankel revealed that she has no hard feelings towards the show. The rep also said that she “wishes everyone at Bravo well,” though the network has yet to say anything on the matter.

Bethenny Frankel appeared on the first three seasons of RHONY before taking a break from the show. She went on to appear on several spin-offs, including Bethenny Ever After, before returning to RHONY in season 7.

New episodes of season 12 of the Real Housewives of New York air Thursday nights on Bravo.