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The Real Housewives of New York fans met Elyse Slaine during season 12. When she appeared on the popular Bravo show, the independent trader came in as Ramona Singer’s close friend. As the season progressed, however, their longtime friendship soured on and off-camera. 

In Aug. 2021, Slaine explains why she never had a desire to hold an apple full-time. 

'RHONY' cast members Elyse Slaine and Ramona Singer smiling at an event.
‘RHONY’: Elyse Slaine and Ramona Singer | Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Elyse Slaine says her role on ‘RHONY’ was an ‘accident’

RHONY entered its 12th season in April 2020. Singer, Luann de Lesseps,  Sonja Morgan, Dorinda Medley, Tinsley Mortimer, and Leah McSweeney made the season’s main cast. Many of the cast members started with RHONY back in season one. 

During an appearance on Dear Media’s Social Studies podcast, Slaine explained to host Jena Kingsley that she didn’t plan on being involved in RHONY Season 12. The trader said the producers offered her a spot on the show while she was supporting Singer. 

'RHONY' stars Elyse Slaine, Dorinda Medley, Leah McSweeney talking and drinking at an event.
‘RHONY’ cast Elyse Slaine, Dorinda Medley, Leah McSweeney | Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

“I was very close with Ramona, and I was meeting her after she was filming the scene for the first episode of season 12,” Slaine said. “And I got there, and they were still filming. So I sat back with the producers. I had made a couple of comments, and the producers just said, ‘you know what? Let’s, let’s get you miked.’” 

Elyse Slaine felt her role on ‘RHONY’ was ‘problematic’ 

After seeing her interact with the RHONY cast, Slaine said the producers desperately wanted her to join the show. Additionally, she said Singer “really wanted” to add her friend on as a cast member. Soon, Slaine shared that Bravo called more and more and asked the New Yorker to fill in during some scenes.

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‘RHONY’: Elyse Slaine Breaks Silence on Her Season 13 Status

Following her appearances, the network sent over a contract. Slaine told Social Studies that the contract was “very onerous” and didn’t think the job suited her. She said the “watered down” role caused Slaine to rethink the position the entire season.

“Even the very watered-down version was problematic for me,” Slaine said of RHONY. “So I filmed the whole season without the contract, and I didn’t sign the contract. Two days before the show aired. So I have a bit of a funny edit, you know, so I don’t know if they were going back and trying to edit me out since I wasn’t signing the contract, but it was impossible at this point to edit me out.”

Why Ramona Singer’s former friend left ‘Real Housewives of New York’ 

Slaine spent one season on RHONY as a “friend to the show.” After season 12 wrapped, the mother of one announced on Twitter that she wasn’t returning for season 13. 

“In response to many of your inquires, the answer is no; I will not be returning to #RHONY. Thank you for the support, laughs, and friendship,” she tweeted. “I adore so many of you. I value you, and I am always available to chat.”

The post from Slaine came amid the fallout between her and Singer. According to the finance specialist, she and the longtime apple holder had an altercation off-air. Since then, the two haven’t mended their relationship. 

On Social Studies, Slaine said her fallout with Singer ultimately resulted in her not returning to RHONY for season 13. She claims Bravo “punished” her for speaking about their fallout publicly. 

Real Housewives of New York airs Tuesdays on Bravo. 

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