Kelly Bensimon Says She Was Talking to Bethenny’s BF on Raya

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Credit: Michael Simon/startraksphoto.com, Sophie Fritz/startraksphoto.com

Kelly Bensimon revealed she was in communication with Bethenny Frankel‘s new boyfriend, Tom Villante, over the summer on Raya, during an appearance on Monday in New York City.

Months after Bethenny, 54, was first spotted with the businessman, and weeks after the couple made their first joint appearance, the 56-year-old Real Housewives of New York City alum looked back on her messages with Tom, admitting that they were in talks to meet before she learned that he was dating her former castmate.

“I see this one guy, and I was like, ‘Oh, he’s kinda cute!’ He lives in California, and I was like, ‘Wow, what is he doing here?’ … He’s like, ‘Let’s talk. … Let’s meet,’” Kelly recalled during a live taping of Page Six‘s Virtual Reali-Tea on December 2.

Although Kelly said she and Tom were “texting” quite a bit, and added that he wanted to meet her, she explained that her schedule wasn’t allowing her the time.

Then, in September, after she returned from spending Labor Day weekend in the Hamptons, where Tom was also enjoying his holiday, albeit separately, Kelly’s friend sent her an article from Page Six in which Bethenny’s romance with Tom was confirmed.

“It says Bethenny Frankel is dating this guy,” she revealed.

While Kelly was shocked, she shared that it wasn’t the first time this had happened.

“Wait, what?! Again?!” she recalled thinking to herself.

As RHONY fans may recall, Bethenny went public with Tom on Instagram in November 2024, but she was photographed holding hands with him back in September in Los Angeles, where the YapStone CEO and chairman previously owned a $35 million home.

Bethenny Frankel hard launches her new romance with boyfriend Tom Villante on Instagram, calls him ‘my man’ pic.twitter.com/P3OwBBTkzO

— Page Six (@PageSix) November 23, 2024

Prior to her relationship with Tom, Bethenny dated Paul Bernon, 45, for six years. Meanwhile, Kelly called off her wedding to Scott Litner in June — just four days before they were set to wed.

Kelly was featured on The Real Housewives of New York City from season two through season four, and Bethenny starred on the series from seasons one through three and seven through 11.