Bethenny Frankel
Bethenny Frankel is pictured attending the Emmy For Your Consideration Event for Showtime’s “Shameless” on May 24, 2018 in Los Angeles. Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Following Bethenny Frankel’s “Real Housewives of New York City” exit, ahead of Season 12, a new report claims Bravo executives are hoping to replace her with a younger cast member.

Last week, Bethenny announced her plans to leave the cast to focus on raising her daughter, Bryn, and supporting projects that empower women. However, her decision has left “RHONY” executives scrambling to find her replacement before filming the new season.

Radar Online reported the network was shocked to learn about Bethnney’s decision to leave the show. “She backed out so late, they do not have a Plan B yet,” an alleged source explained.

However, Bethenny’s exit has allowed the network to bring in a younger audience. “They are testing out two younger potentials,” the insider revealed.

“Look what happened to Vicki Gunvalson on ‘The Real Housewives of Orange County,’ they wanted to get younger women on, so they demoted her,” the source continued.

Despite Bravo’s hopes to attract a new audience, there is still some fear that the show could fall apart without Bethenny. “It’s not looking good. Season 12 could be a train wreck,” the mystery tipster said.

News of Bravo’s dilemma comes after reports that Bravo executives have been upset with the 48-year-old since March. At the time, Bethenny’s decision to partner up with MGM Television and Mark Burnett. Her plan to produce unscripted TV projects left executives feeling betrayed.

“They were very upset. A Housewife can do a one-off show like ‘Dancing With the Stars’…not a regular series in reality TV. Everyone was pissed off,” a supposed confidant previously told Radar Online.

“For all the things the network has done for Bethenny, it was a slap in the face,” the insider added.

Along with the higher-ups, Bethenny reportedly upset other staff members with her statement about empowering women, when she was one of the most confrontational women on the “RHONY” cast.

“People are shocked because she is the one who drove the show into all the drama and arguments. Now she is saying she doesn’t want to be part of it,” the tipster explained.

Although Bethenny will no longer appear on “The Real Housewives of New York City,” she encouraged fans to “stay tuned” and promised, “there are many amazing things to come.”

RELATED STORIES