Real Housewives of New York season 8 is filming but it’s missing a large portion of its cast! Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan, and Luann de Lesseps have been locked in a contract dispute with Bravo, and apparently they will not be Housewives next season after all!
“They tried to power play Bravo,” revealed a source. “They tried to hold out for more money.” Ramona, Sonja and Luann were trying to stonewall Bravo into paying them the same $1 million dollar salary Bethenny Farnkel earns. Bethenny doesn’t think they deserve it, and unfortunately neither does Bravo!
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“The network said, ‘Guess what? We’re not even going to give you a contract,’ ” reveals an insider. Instead Ramona, Sonja and Luann will be reduced to “pay for play” roles, or the eponymous “Friends.”
Ramona and Luann have accepted the demotion, and may already be filming. The ladies will reportedly earn $20,000 per scene and Luann is said to be relieved about fulfilling a smaller role.
An insider closely connected to Real Housewives Of New York tells Page Six that Luann, Ramona, and Sonja will only be filming “if they are necessary and it works in the context of their scene.”
However there’s a bonus! “They actually can make more money on [this] rate,” explains the insider. “They don’t have to work six days a week, and they don’t have to go to events or go on vacations” unless they want to. Luann was demoted in season 6, and it was her best to date – she filmed the majority of the season and was in more scenes than many of the actual cast members, including participating in the reunion.
Of her previous demotion, Luann called the situation a “win-win for me.”
“I’m still very much a part of the show, but it’s not a full-time thing,” Luann explained at the time. “It’s very engulfing when you’re on it. It takes up all of your mental and physical energy.”
In season 8 Luann is likely guaranteed the same situation. She has an enticing storyline: she moved into a new apartment and is also still feuding with Carole Radziwill, which Bravo is eager to have play-out.
Luann’s rep refused to confirm the status of Luann’s situation with Real Housewives Of New York because The Countess, “doesn’t discuss financial issues.” How gauche!
As for Sonja, it’s not clear if she’s returning in any capacity. Is she still holding out, or is she too accepting her ‘Friend’ status?
HEATHER THOMSON: A REAL HOUSEWIVES RETROSPECTIVE!
A lot of changes for Real Housewives Of New York! Kristen Taekman and Heather Thomson have also left. Bethenny, along with Dorinda Medley and Carole have re-signed contracts, and Bravo has added Julianne Wainstein. Now they must actively focus their efforts on casting additional women.
TELL US – ARE YOU SURPRISED RAMONA, LUANN, AND SONJA ARE ‘FRIENDS’? IS THAT GOOD OR BAD?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]
