Former Real Housewives of New York City star Kelly Bensimon is awaiting her renaissance.
In an interview with Page Six, Kelly pitched a RHONY cast starring a hand-picked group of ladies and, of course, herself.
How we got here:
In 2023, Luann de Lesseps, Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan, and others original cast members were replaced with an all-new group of women. The RHONY Reboot’s ratings hit an all-time low in viewership in its sophomore season.
But, after the success of the fourth season of Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, in which Kelly appeared, she felt confident enough to send Andy Cohen “a list” of potential new cast members … in addition to herself.
Kelly’s pitch:
“Everybody says I should be back on Housewives.”
“I’m happy to do it with – not to be mean – but, like, not this cast.”
“I sent a whole list to Andy. I was like: Here’s the mothership.”
The tabloid reported, “She wouldn’t give up names. But said that no previous stars (except her) were on it.” Kelly also noted, “They have these narratives, these divorces, but they’re all very New York.”
Additionally, she thinks the “re-revamp needs to put more focus on New York City itself. “My biggest criticism,” explained Kelly, “is that the ultimate character on the show is New York. We’re not seeing New York.”
Kelly called out the contrast between the RHONY cast and how their counterparts, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, are shot. “You see all the glamour and the glitz and the gorgeousness. We just don’t … we’re not seeing that.”
Kelly’s (public) life post RHONY:
- April 2022, Kelly became an ordained minister. Kelly “has all rights and privileges to perform all duties of the ministry.”
- In late 2023, Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: RHONY Legacy aired. It featured Kelly, Kristen Taekman, Dorinda Medley, and more former cast mates.
- The next year, Kelly called off her wedding because her groom wouldn’t sign a prenup
- In August 2024, Kelly battled Bethenny Frankel to become Round Swamp Farm grocer’s next (unofficial) influencer.
- Later that year, Kelly announced she and Bethenny’s boyfriend were texting after meeting him on Raya. She didn’t know that Bethenny was dating the same Tom (lol).
