Former Real Housewives of New York City star Jill Zarin has been on a quest to return to the franchise ever since she was shown the door. When Andy Cohen announced that there was going to be a separate series with RHONY alums, Jill pounced. She tagged Andy with a phone emoji on the Bravo announcement about the RHONY: Legacy series.
While Jill didn’t get a call back from Andy, one of her former co-stars did. Bethenny Frankel revealed on her podcast, Just B with Bethenny Frankel, that she was offered an apple. But Bethenny doesn’t think that Bravo can afford her. That must annoy Jill.
Bethenny and Jill were fast friends in the early days of RHONY. But Bethenny’s increasing popularity drove a wedge between the duo. During Season 3, Jill famously told Bethenny that their friendship was over. “You know what Bethenny, we are DONE!” Jill exclaimed before hanging up on a shocked Bethenny.
Jill’s beloved husband, Bobby Zarin, who was very fond of Bethenny, lost his battle with brain cancer in January of 2018. Bethenny attended Bobby’s memorial service, which was filmed by Bravo cameras.
At the time, Jill explained that she wanted the cameras to capture this normally private moment. “This was all about memorializing Bobby — [there was] no drama,” Jill explained. “He was an important part of the show and a great friend to many who appeared on it.” Other RHONY stars attended Bobby’s service, including Sonja Morgan, Ramona Singer, Kelly Killoren Bensimon, and Aviva Drescher.
In April of 2022, Jill changed her tune about the reason that Bethenny attended Bobby’s funeral. “She came with cameras [to Bobby’s funeral], which I didn’t know were going to be there, so that changed it for me,” Jill stated. She added that she was so happy to see Bethenny that she didn’t question her motives. Bethenny did meet with Jill privately, but then allegedly went and and filmed with her RHONY co-stars, updating them about visiting Jill. “I did feel a bit used,” Jill remarked.
During a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Andy and Bethenny discussed Bobby’s memorial service. Andy read a question from a fan. “Your response to Jill Zarin saying you showed up to Bobby’s funeral for publicity because you brought cameras. Now I believe that…go on,” Andy stated.
“I don’t own any cameras. So, I didn’t bring any cameras,” Bethenny responded. “Right,” Andy said.
Bethenny continued, “And I remember you and I had a discussion, and you told me that she wanted…why don’t you tell it.” Way to pass the hot potato, Bethenny!
RELATED: Jill Zarin Blames Daughter Ally Shapiro For Instagram Comment Asking Andy Cohen To Call Her For Real Housewives Spin-Off
“I think she invited us. I think she said, ‘If you want to cover this…If you want to include it in the show,’ by the way, which we did, because he was an important part of the show,” Andy stated.
“You think or you know?” Bethenny asked Andy. “No. I know,” the host replied.
“Right, and you know what?” Bethenny remarked as she held up a sign that read “agree.” Score one for Bethenny.
Jill’s daughter, Ally Shapiro, sounded off in the comments of Bravo’s WWHL Instagram page. “There’s so much I want to say,” Ally wrote.
Jill is a cast member on Season 2 of Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, which features former Housewives from different franchises. Jill and her co-stars will be living the dream in RHONY alum Dorinda Medley’s Berkshires mansion. The Season 2 trailer looks promising, and I’m looking forward to watching all the craziness unfold!
TELL US- DO YOU BELIEVE THAT JILL INVITED BRAVO TO FILM AT BOBBY’S FUNERAL? DID BETHENNY USE THAT MOMENT FOR PUBLICITY?
[Photo Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo]
