As The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY) struggles with declining ratings, former cast member Kelly Bensimon is taking matters into her own hands.
The reality star and real estate mogul has reportedly pitched a fresh lineup of potential cast members to Bravo executive Andy Cohen,
hoping to revamp the show and bring back its former glory.
Bensimon’s Vision for ‘RHONY’
Bensimon, who starred in RHONY during Seasons 2, 3, and 4 and later appeared on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip,
recently revealed that she has taken an active role in suggesting changes to the struggling series.
“Everybody says I should be back on Housewives,” she told Page Six. “And I’m happy to do it with—not to be mean—but, like,
not this cast. I sent a whole list to Andy. I was like: Here’s the mothership.”
While she didn’t disclose any specific names on her list, Bensimon made it clear that she is not advocating for the return of any former RHONY stars—except herself. Instead, she believes the show needs fresh faces with compelling personal stories that reflect the essence of New York City.
‘RHONY’ Struggles with Ratings Drop
Bravo made a bold move in 2023 by completely revamping the RHONY cast. Longtime fan favorites like Luann de Lesseps and Sonja Morgan were removed, and the network introduced an entirely new group of women, led by former J. Crew president Jenna Lyons.
However, the reboot has faced a significant ratings decline. The sixth episode of the most recent season brought in just 281,000 viewers—marking the lowest ratings since the show’s debut in 2008. With these figures raising concerns about the show’s future, Bensimon believes a major overhaul is necessary.
Bensimon’s Criticism of the Current Cast and Show Direction
According to Bensimon, one of the biggest flaws in the current version of RHONY is its failure to showcase the city itself.
“My biggest criticism—and it’s been the same thing throughout since I was on—is that the ultimate character on the show is New York, and we’re not seeing New York,” she stated.
She pointed to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills as an example of how the franchise can successfully highlight its location.
“You see all the glamor and the glitz and the gorgeousness,” she explained. “And we just don’t—we’re not seeing that [in RHONY].”
Would Bensimon Return to ‘RHONY’?
While Bensimon expressed interest in making a return, she made it clear that it would have to be with a different cast. She envisions a group of women who embody the energy and vibrancy of New York, bringing strong personal narratives that can captivate viewers.
Although Bravo has not publicly responded to her proposal, the show’s current struggles could mean the network is open to considering changes.
What’s Next for ‘RHONY’?
The fate of RHONY remains uncertain as Bravo assesses the performance of its current cast. If the ratings continue to decline, the network may be forced to re-evaluate its approach to the show. Whether that means bringing back familiar faces like Bensimon or introducing a completely new cast remains to be seen.
For now, Bensimon is making it known that she’s ready to step back into the spotlight—just as long as she’s surrounded by the right group of Housewives.
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