Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo
Bethenny Frankel revealed why Housewives “clamor” to be Andy Cohen’s “friend.” She also praised Raquel Leviss for “playing hardball” with her Vanderpump Rules contract after the 28-year-old was “dragged through the streets” and “abused mentally” over her affair with Tom Sandoval.
Recently, the Real Housewives of New York alum has become the spearhead for a potential reality star union, calling for celebs to demand better treatment in the industry.
In an interview with ET, Bethenny was asked about Andy’s responsibility amid the turmoil.
She said the host and executive producer is “responsible” for “one very specific group of women,” and “all” the Housewives “clamor” to be his “friend” and be in “high standing.”
Bethenny claimed their reason is a desire “to be asked back to the party,” come on his show, and “be his favorite.” According to the alum, however, Andy’s “favorites change.”
“Nobody including Andy Cohen has anything that I want,” said Bethenny, who claims this is why she’s the “perfect person” to speak about the issues of reality stars. “Burn me to the ground and cancel me. I’ve checked my balance. I’m good.”
The alum also addressed the current situation with Raquel and said the 28-year-old should continue “playing hardball” amid negotiations with the network.
“The girl was a punching bag for everybody on every talk show in the entertainment industry,” said Bethenny, via Page Six. “So you get beaten up? Like Erika Jayne did, get paid … You’re gonna put me in a ring with [Mike] Tyson, I’m gonna get paid.”
She seemed to indicate that Raquel’s scandal was not a “big deal,” and she applauded her decision to not attend the cast trip at Lake Tahoe.
“She should not be shooting,” Bethenny explained. “She should be negotiating a contract that says … ‘I got dragged through the streets, and I was abused mentally.’”
Bethenny admitted that people with mental health concerns should “absolutely not” go after a career in reality TV, but she predicted that the “money” and “relevance” will end up being “too strong” for the star to resist, and Raquel will want to show she’s “really not the terrible person that they all think.”
“That’s a producer’s talent,” Bethenny went on. “When you’ve been beaten down and everyone hates you, [they say], ‘You gotta go back next season. You can’t end on this note.’”