‘RHONY’: Ramona Singer, Luann de Lesseps … And Maybe Tinsley Mortimer Return for Season 14, Insider Predicts (Exclusive)
A producer form The Real Housewives of New York City denied specific casting rumors, but Housewives friend and insider David Yontef says that fans shouldn’t be surprised if his cast predications come true.
Yontef who hosts the Behind the Velvet Rope podcast believes that Ramona Singer and Luann de Lesseps are the only returning cast members from RHONY Season 13.
That means Sonja Morgan, Leah McSweeney, and Eboni K. Williams won’t be back. He told Showbiz Cheat Sheet that producers will deny any rumors about casting. And in fact, he doubled down on his predictions.
He also stands by Tinsley Mortimer’s return. Yontef also does not believe that Jill Zarin or Kelly Bensimon will join the cast next season.
Tinsley Mortimer will return to ‘RHONY’ David Yontef predicts
Yontef said Mortimer is in the mix to return. “I think Tinsley is a real possibility to make a return,” he said. “She is the only one I see as a real possibility in terms of where the show is now, being on-brand and all, and moving forward for the future of RHONY. Tinsley never had any problems with Ramona or Lu. They always got along and her life has completely changed since breaking up with Scott.” He added, “She has a natural connection to these two OGs.”
Mortimer left the show when she got engaged to Scott Kluth. She moved to Chicago to be with him but they broke up. She has since returned to New York City.
Yontef also believes a new cast would pave the way for Mortimer to really shine. “This time around, she will actually be able to get a word in edgewise,” he observed. “And, I think, really find her voice. Plus, there is this desire from the audience to have their Housewives be rich. That is the strong appeal to Beverly Hills and why it is still top-rated. Tinsley is the real deal in that respect and she’s the right age in terms of the ‘younger’ rumored direction the network apparently wants to do. She really is the only past RHONY I see as ‘on brand’ to make a comeback.”
Jill Zarin is promoting ‘RHUGT’
Yontef didn’t hold back when it came to Zarin’s possible return. “Rumor is Jill Zarin is running around town saying she is working on something with Bravo,” he remarked. “That’s what I heard and it’s like umm, what? Do you mean [The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip]? The season she just filmed at Blue Stone Manor which is headed to Peacock sometime in May/June.”
“Bravo is airing the first Girls Trip in repeats at night now so I think that is what she must mean” he added. “Jill Zarin is not, nor in my expert opinion, which is humbly usually correct, ever coming back to RHONY. That ship has sailed for many many reasons. Hasn’t Andy [Cohen] even said she is not only the most annoying Housewife that ever was, but that she was fine to bring back for Girls Trip Period? The End.”
Kelly Bensimon is one of the most misunderstood ‘Housewives’
Other rumors point to Bensimon returning in some capacity after she was photographed with de Lesseps. “Lu has been photographed a lot lately with Kelly Bensimon which has led to speculation,” Yontef said.
“I think that would be epic to bring the legend that is Kelly back to RHONY,” he added. “As a sort of redemption for the black cloud that is Scary Island which incorrectly followers her everywhere. But that is not happening.”
He added, “Although, I would love it. Kelly is one of the most misunderstood of all the Housewives. She is actually wonderful!”
Stay tuned …
