Bethenny Frankel seems surprised that Bravo is working with ‘toxic’ NeNe Leakes

Ancient “The Real Housewives of New York” star Bethenny Frankel insinuated she was surprised to see Bravo reunite with the ‘Real Housewives of Atlanta’ alum NeNe leaks after suing the network in 2022.

In January 2026, Leakes made headlines when she confirmed that she would return to the “Real Housewives” franchise in the network’s “Ultimate Girls Trip” spinoff.

In a TikTok video, Frankel congratulated NeNe Leakes on her epic comeback before revealing that she previously hosted a show with a similar concept to “UGT” and said Bravo shot it down because Leakes was too “toxic.”

Frankel, one of the OG “Real Housewives of New York” cast members, shared a video saying she was “thrilled” for Leakes, who has been away from the network since 2020. In her video, Frankel explained that people make decisions for many reasons, whether they’re financial or practical.

With that, the Skinnygirl founder hinted at her shock that Bravo had buried the hatchet with Leakes, who in 2022 accused the network of discrimination in an explosive lawsuit.

“NBC, Bravo, and True foster a company and workplace culture in which inappropriate and racially insensitive behavior is tolerated and even encouraged,” part of the lawsuit states. “As the Black Lives Matter movement swept our country, Ms. Leakes – Bravo’s historically most successful black female talent – ​​should have been adopted by NBC, Bravo and True.”

According to Frankel, she has “never heard of anyone [going] after a company, filing a lawsuit on different charges, and then that company hired them back. Continuing, Frankel called it an “interesting dynamic” before spilling even more tea.

According to a previous report from The Blast, Leakes will return to Bravo in the upcoming spinoff “Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip,” which will celebrate 20 years of the iconic franchise. Although Leakes won’t be a full-time cast member, the spunky TV personality will have a “notable” presence during the Atlanta road trip episode.

In her TikTok, Frankel revealed that she had a show on Bravo years ago about herself and Leakes traveling across the country in an RV. Frankel claimed that after his meetings with the producers, they told him the show wouldn’t work because Leakes was “kryptonite” and “toxic” and that “they could never touch it.”

Continuing, Frankel noted that she doesn’t think Bravo stole her idea, saying that road trips have been filmed and broadcast for years. However, she said Bravo’s latest move is an “interesting” look at how dynamics can change. “I think it’s a positive thing. The bridge hasn’t been burned because they’re doing this show with NeNe with the same concept.”

Concluding the video, Frankel once again expressed his joy for Leakes and ended with a seemingly shady message. “You’re welcome,” she said. “Time heals all wounds.”

In a video shared online, Leakes confirmed her return to Bravo, describing her return as a “very long journey” that she couldn’t believe was over. “I’m happy, thrilled to say that I’ll be coming back to Bravo,” she said.

The former Broadway star thanked many people, including Bravo executives Frances Berwick and Andy Cohen, as well as Bravo talent such as Porsha Williams and Phaedra Parks.

“So many people continued to put my name in the ring. Thank you to everyone at Bravo. Thank you to everyone at Truly Original. Thank you, Shed Media. Thank you to the producers on the ground who are calling me and texting me, wanting this to be an amazing thing,” she said.

The Blast reported that many Bravo stars sent their congratulations and best wishes to Leakes, including “Real Housewives of New Jersey” stars Melissa Gorga and Teresa Giudice. “Welcome, my love,” Giudice wrote, while Gorga added, “Here she is!!!!”