Bethenny Frankel Shares ‘Shady’ Congratulations to NeNe Leakes for Her Bravo Return • Hollywood Unlocked

Bethenny Frankel is saying she’s clapping for NeNe Leakes but the hands might be doing a little side-eye while they’re at it…

The former “Real Housewives of New York City” star hit Instagram on Friday to deliver celebratory but backhanded response to Leakes officially stepping back into the Bravo universe.

As previously reported, Leakes is set to appear on the upcoming series “Real Housewives: Ultimate Road Trip,” part of the network’s 20-year celebration of the Housewives empire. Frankel opened the video on a positive note, telling followers she was “so happy” and “thrilled” for Leakes. But that goodwill didn’t last long.She quickly floated the idea that the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” legend might be returning for less positives reasons suggesting money issues or a need to stay relevant could be behind the comeback.

From there, Frankel pivoted to herself.The Skinnygirl boss claimed the road-trip concept wasn’t exactly new, saying she once pitched Bravo a show featuring just her and Leakes, 58, riding “across the country in an RV.” According to Frankel, producers shut the idea down, allegedly telling her they “could never touch” a project involving Leakes because she is “kryptonite and toxic.”

Frankel didn’t say when the pitch happened, but insisted she’s ready to back it up, claiming to “have all the receipts.”

She also questioned how Leakes’ new Bravo chapter will work given their messy history, pointing to the lawsuit Leakes filed against the network and Andy Cohen in 2022.

“I’ve never in history heard of someone go after a company and take legal action for different accusations, and then that company hire them back. That’s just an interesting dynamic. I don’t know if there are any other examples of that.” Whew!

What Lawsuit?

Well, in the lawsuit, Leakes, who exited “RHOA” in September 2020, accused Bravo and Cohen of “foster[ing] a corporate and workplace culture in which racially insensitive and inappropriate behavior is tolerated — if not, encouraged.”

After four months of behind-the-scenes talks, she moved to dismiss the case “without prejudice,” leaving the door open to revive it later.Despite everything, Leakes and Cohen managed to smooth things over following her very public criticism of him.

Clearly Ms, Frankle feels some type of way but Bravo fans are happy that the queen is back!