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The Bravo network is moving full speed ahead after firing four of the Real Housewives of New York City cast members!
For the past week, we have been hearing that the network had already cast 3 new ladies to replace the fired housewives — Jill Zarin, Alex McCord, Cindy Barshop, and Kelly Bensimon — and now the identity of those women have been revealed!
The NY Daily News is reporting the women pictured above from left to right, Carole Radziwill, Heather Thomson, and Aviva Drescher, have signed on to do the show. Below are brief bios of each of the new poor souls ladies -
Carole Radziwill - Carole is a distant relative of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis through her late husband Anthony Radziwill. Anthony’s mother Lee Radziwill is Jackie’s little sister. Anthony passed away of cancer in 1999 just four weeks after John F. Kennedy Jr and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy died in a plane crash. Carole was very close friends with Carolyn. Carole, a former ABC producer and now a bestselling author, appeared on the Oprah Show in 2005 to discuss her memoir What Remains: A Memoir of Fate, Friendship and Love. She has no kids and is reportedly single.
Heather Thomson – Heather is described as a successful designer and stylist. She owns the shapewear business, Yummie Tummie, which is sold in over 2,000 stores and has been featured as one of Oprah Winfrey’s “Favorite Things.” Jill’s not going to be happy about this! She has worked with the likes of Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez to help create and launch their respective labels. Heather is a married mom of two.
Aviva Drescher – is married to Reid Drescher, founder of Spencer Clarke Securities & Investment Banking. The couple have three children together. Sources says producers wanted a “Wall Street wife,” and Aviva just happens to fit the bill perfectly.
While Heather and Aviva have crossed paths with some of the RHONY housewives, a source states Carole has “never met any of the women.” Should be an interesting season!
Meanwhile Ramona Singer, one of the lucky three housewives who didn’t get fired by Bravo, is now speaking out on the firings while also revealing Jill was “cancerous” to her.
Ramona, who was “surprised” by the firings, tells the HollywoodLife, “I think Jill being gone will be [good] for me … Jill became a negative force in my life… It was just too much negative energy. There’s nothing wrong with having altercations and disagreements and arguments, but it can consume you and it can’t become cancerous. I felt with Jill, that’s what it became for me.”
In unusual Ramona fashion, she actually reveals she is sorta sad about the ladies’ departures. “I’m sad to see the other women go,” says Ramona. “I’ve been with some of them since the beginning and we kind of plowed the way with our show. So it’s sad, but it’s also on the same token, Bravo’s smart. They listen to the fans and I’m excited about it. Sometimes change is good.”
And finally, Jill continues to do her press tour, using the firing as a way to promote her Skweez Couture shapeware line. Jill gave an interview to GMA this morning during which she claimed she’s okay with Bravo’s decision because her line is now bringing in millions of dollars.
She also spoke about RHONY stating the show had become toxic and that while fans complained about all the fighting, it was sort of encouraged via the high ratings. Actually a valid point except things simply got too nasty on RHONY mostly thanks to Jill. When you start accusing your costar’s husband of physically attacking you to garner public sympathy, then that’s when the show stops being fun.
It gets even better as Jill also spoke about Taylor Armstrong. She said if she were in Taylor’s shoes, she would take 6 – 12 months off from talking to the press, while also quitting the housewives series. “Honestly, I wouldn’t talk to the press or anyone for six months to a year,” said Jill. “I would buckle down with my family and I probably wouldn’t come back on the show.”
Can you imagine Jill going 6 months without talking to the press??? Or even a week for that matter? Yes, neither can I! A video clip of Jill’s interview is below -
TELL US – THOUGHTS ON THE NEW HOUSEWIVES? PLUS THOUGHTS ON JILL & RAMONA’S COMMENTS?
@95So So So sad that Carole Radziwill has joined the cast. I have always respected her for being such a lady, and showing unbelievable class and dignity while facing such an ugly chapter in her life….Now, I will have to watch her go up against the likes of “The Countess” and Ramona….Yuck. I don’t want to watch her lose her dignity…..It will make me sad.
____________________
I agree! But if you read her book you know that her background is working class. She also makes it clear that Lee and Caroline K were kind of cool towards her. She said that JFK Jr was nice though. I hope she doesn’t bring up his death on the show. It’s still so sad.
I kinda agree with The Original Susan up there…seems any reputable woman is tainted after doing reality. It brings out the ugly side.
Ramona’s right about Jill and I hope beyond hope she fades away…no matter what she talks about she is deperately toxic.
From what I know of Carole, her and Bravo might be a mismatch. Last year, we had hopes for Cindy. She was a supposed to be a single woman, a new mom to twins, all while juggling her career as the CEO of a successful chain of spas. Exciting, right? Wrong. It was just bad tv. Painful to watch.
With Carole, some of the scenes will seem forced since it sounds like she doesn’t hang in the same circles as any of the other ladies. Cindy and Jen Gilbert actually knew some of the women, and that didn’t help them, so maybe this is good.
Also, now that Ramona has responded, I think she should just zip it. Kicking someone when they’re down is never attractive.
I will give the next season a chance but gawd, Yummie Tummie? Maybe Carole is writing a novel to push? LuAnn has another song? Ramona will probably start a microbrew? I will brace myself for another infomercial.
Could it be Bravo is trying to bring some much needed class to RHONY!
Sick of seeing Jill Zaaaaaaaaaarin on talk shows promoting her crappy Skweeze Couture. Good thing she is BFF’s with Joy Bahar. She can’t believe Ramona called her cancerous yet she called Bethenny toxic.
Wendy Williams brought up the lawsuits with Bethenny and Jill was smart not to really comment but did say she would like to be friends again. You know inside she is thrilled about all the negative press Bethenny is getting regarding Skinnygirl.
Jill e-mailed all the girls but Alex would not respond. Um….could it be that you were such a snake and Alex just wants to move on.
Sorry Bravo did not include Cat O. (RHODC) but their loss.
My main concern about these ladies; will they be able to put that bulldog bitch Ramona in her place? Will they take her down many pegs? Will they make her cry? Will they have videotape of Mario with another woman?
Hope springs eternal.
@101 The Original Susan – so agree.
I hope that these ladies don’t feel the need to get down in the trenches with all the petty jealousies and arguments. I for one would like to see some bonding between these people. I don’t believe that the public wants only dysfunctional drama but people will eat what they are fed. Bravo, for a change how about feeding us something substantial?
I wish Jill would take her own advice and take 6 – 12 months off from talking to the press
Hey Koo Koo Kelly-NEWSFLASH-your ass is fired!!! Ignoring the truth does not make it go away!!! You and Jill Zarin thought you were ALL THAT and it got your asses fired!!!
@46 and @55..
Keep in mind that that 28 million was RECORD BREAKING, not the average that a network show gets on anaverage night. Network shows are usually lucky to get even half that on a regular night. 4 million for a cable show is pretty darn good.
Just take a look at the number of viewers other shows on ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX have gotten this week…no where near TAHM’s season premiere with a whole new cast.
Anthony Radziwill was a Prince so by the Countess’s logic, we should be addressing her as Her Serene Highness Princess Carole Radziwill
@110 Selena;
I personally am going to stick with Ms Radziwell and Ms DeLessups.
Deny titles!
I think Jill has gotten an unfair wrap-her friendship with Bethenny has caused all of this dislike for her. I haven’t seen anything Jill has done that caused her to be fired over Ramona. Ramona is very sneaky and vindictive-she should have been fired with Alex. I wonder how Alex feels now-while she was fighting for Ramona this last series-her behavior has gotten her fired. Alex should have been fired last season -what happen to her French teacher for her kids, lies lies lies.
@112 ann,
I agree, it’s so funny with the double standard. Bethenny talked about people and acted like a pure asshole her last season on HW’s yet was rewarded her own show, why because she had unprotected sex with a guy and he decided to put a ring on it. Nice! Ramona and her actions were disgusting, she’s nothing more than a drunk, Sonja acting like she’s 25 was equally disgusting! Not interested in season 5, there’s nothing to watch! I wonder how the new ladies will like seeing Sonja’s wrinkled ass or having Ramona get in their faces because “she tells it like it is”!
#112 & #113…ah here come Jill’s minions to deflect and twist the truth.
Bethenny’s True Hollywood Story was on TV last night…. I LOVE her!
I caught Jill on Wendy Williams yesterday and she insisted on doing Wendy’s show by herself. Cindy was invited, but Jill said NO! It was talked about openly on the show yesterday. The whole time, Jill would not stop flapping her lips, she was even called out for her. I hope that new lady has much more success with her girdles, lol
Lots of interesting posts from u all! FREDS I loved reading yours. Hi mein!
here to hoping these new three will maybe knock the remaining off their high horse… Daaaahling.
Wish Bravo would have fired bug eyed Ramona and ditzy Sonja go as well.
bye bye jillzy! you so richly deserved what happened to you.
lumann….how you missed the chopping block is beyond me.
alex while not the most entertaining, was the best educated and nicest…no dears…the meek do not inherit the earth.
THESE WOMEN SUCH BE MADE TO DONATE THE MONEY FROM BRAVO IT`S NOT LIKE THEY NEED THE MONEY
I’m glad they kept Ramona. Without her I would have stopped watching!
Per Ramona, “Bravo knows what they are doing and listens to the fans”…they didn’t listen that closely because Ramona didn’t get fired. Sorry Bravo, I am afraid I will not be watching.
I am looking forward to the new hw’s but mostly just no Jill, crazy Kelly, and Silex! The Countless should have made her exit as well.
@120 Beth…….You can never really know about people’s finances. So many of these housewives end up declaring bankruptcy and/or dealing with financial drama soon after they join these shows. It seems the driving force for many of these women is to make money to avoid bankruptcy (or promote their businesses)– e.g. Sonja, LuAnn (who desperately needs this job for a paycheck), Alex, Teresa, Melissa, Taylor, Sheree, NeNe, etc.
I wasn’t going to watch another season of NY because of Jill & Kelly but I will have to watch now because I don’t want Jill to think the ratings slipped because she’s gone. I think Jill is the most self-absorbed delusional reality star next to Teresa Guidice. She is a proven liar and tried to sabatoge her best friend and Alex’s book but yet still tries to convince herself that she is all about helping people. She is going down in flames. While Bethenny still has her own show and so many opportunities Jill gets fired and I’m sure many opportunities have been blown for her since she won’t have the free advertising. She will fade away but not soon enough for me. I will watch the new season whether it’s good or not just to spite the venomous Jill. Also wonder how long before she dumps Kelly as a friend. She only befriended Kelly because she is Bethenny’s enemy but she’ll have no use the dumb one now. Jill is soooo transparent.
My oh my, Ramona took out the hatchet and she hasn’t put it down yet! Me thinks she’s gonna be scrambling to keep up with the new up and comings….She’ll have to hawk a lot of new products to keep us with Wall Street bucks…LOL!
Aviva Drescher will have Ramona running around in circles trying to keep up.
http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/aviva-drescher-net-worth/
I hate when Romona speaks about others like she is so much better than them. Does she forget all of the things she has done, I guess when she does it all is okay.
Shut up Jill. You are not relevant and everyone hates you. You are not making a dime on your stupid Skeeze girdles and you know it. The only way I would ever watch you again would be in a caged deathmatch with Kate Gosselin. Its win-win because two bitches enter, one bitch leaves (for good!).
What is it with these NY housewives and their shapewear lines? First Bethenny than Shrill and now the new one.
Oh, and as much as this pains me I have to agree with Shrill’s comment about Taylor taking time off from talking to the press and be with her family.
CeeJay – thanks for the link – very interesting. Luann and Romona are going to be so jealous (and also she who shall not be named – we just want her to shut up and go far far away).
@123 – AV – Hello lady, I so agree!!!! I am also looking forward to the new additions. Something tells me that Bravo is trying to recreate the whole Bethenny story line (since it was so successful for them) with the casting of Carole Radziwill. Single white female doing it all in NYC….I may be wrong, but it just has that Bethenny feel all over it.
I really also feel that Bravo almost had to let Silex go in order to kind of justify giving Jill the axe.
I thought that they would have sent LuAss packing as well. It will be so interesting to see how she copes without her sidekick bullies next season. She just may be the fall HW for next season, you know the one that everyone gangs up on……
I am so thrilled that I will no longer hear that horrible shrill from Jill and her talking incessantly about nothing…..maybe she can get her own webisodes titled Jill knows everything – NOT!!! Lmao…….
Hi Bond Girl! I know! How amazing will it be to have the NYHW’s without Shrill Jill? I will not miss her or her drama at all. She makes women look bad.
I also agree that Carole Radziwill is cast to be the “Bethenny” but honestly, I don’t think Bravo should try to do that. They should just cast the women and let their relationships grow organically. I hope they don’t set up the drama as they are now doing for all the rest of the series. These shows were fresh when they first came out–now they are stale.
Look at how Trailer is ruining BH! And they are trying to make my fave (Lisa) look like the villain! Trailer will always be the villain to me–nasty, nasty piece of work.
I just wish Bravo would let their real lives come through and not worry so much about “bringing the drama.” NJ has become impossible to watch. I haven’t watched it since the 2nd episode. I can’t stomach Tree-ape.
@BondGirl–I also completely agree about Luass! But as you said, it will be interesting to see how she handles her new role. She’s the new poor gal on the show. She had a prenup and only got the Hamptons house from the Count. Her fake French bf (the gay one, you know) is broke as well. She’ll have a hard time keeping up financially. She couldn’t stand Alex–well, she’s the new Alex, I have a feeling!
I the begining the housewife shows were watching these women going about their daily lives. Then it turned into these women selling products they endorsed or whatever. It was like watching a commercial for crying out loud. With new blood it will be back to basics. So bravo Bravo.
I couldn’t even listen to the interview. That nasaly, foghorn voice is just so irritating. I can’t believe she wrote a book about mothering. She treats her own daughter like crap. Good riddance Jill!!!!!!!!
120BETH 22 Sep, 2011 at 11:07 am
THESE WOMEN SUCH BE MADE TO DONATE THE MONEY FROM BRAVO IT`S NOT LIKE THEY NEED THE MONEY
This is AMERICA Sweetie. No one should be “made,” to give their money to anyone!
@ 132 Bond Girl and 133 AnitaVacation X’s n O’s to you both!
I so agree. This season might be interesting and it’ll be fun to only have to FFWD through the Classless Countless’ scenes instead of Jill’s, Kelly’s and hers! LOL
The Grouper aka Shana Hughes/Taylor Ford Armstrong, has ruined RHOBH. I literally cannot stand to look at that woman. She needs to star in a Wes Craven horror flick. No special effects needed. Bravo had better leave our Lisa alone! She’s beautiful and classy and Bravo is ticking off a lot of her fans by trying to make her out to be witch this season. We aren’t going to be manipulated so easily this time!
Good Night Jill and Kelly. You thought you had a plan to cause drama believing you were Bravo’s favorite. You were both so arrogant, somebody had to pop the air out of your heads. I hope seeing the new cast above is a realization for you that you’re not coming back. You will not be future guest either. Planning drama and scheming to gang up on one person got you fired.
I don’t know about any of you but Jill’s mother got on my nerves as much as Jill. She to was very arrogant and I couldn’t stand watching the two big heads together. Bravo must have felt the same way because they put Jill’s mother and father on the editor’s cutting room floor.
Jill got VOTED out. No Recount for you this time around.
Jill giving advice to Taylor to avoid the press and quit the show is like …..Taylor giving advice to Jill on how to make millions!
Both are total idiots!
Pot, meet kettle!!
Jill Who?
Really anyone who thinks Ramona the drunk, bug eyed, idot should have remained on the show over Jill is just as lame as Ramona herself. The show is over folks!
RHONY has seriously gone down hill and has very little entertainment value left. At least Bethenny had a great way with words. And who could ever imagine Kelly would be the likeable one this year…Ramona and especially Sonja – YUCK. and LuAnne can’t help being up her ass. Doesn’t anyone on these reality shows know how to have adult relationships with each other?
now if they just dump the NJ housewives and the trashy Atlanta housewives. I enjoy the other shows but those two… I can’t even watch anymore because I cringe at how stupid and classless they are. They should of kepted the Washington DC housewives now that the gate crashers wife ran away with the rock star..
I don’t understand why everyone hates Jill so much. I don’t think she’s any worse than any of the others. I’m pretty sure I’ve been watching the same show as everyone else. I don’t get it. They ALL talk bad about each other, they ALL talk down to each other, they are ALL rude to each other, but everyone seems to focus on Jill. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t really like Jill, but I don’t hate her either. Can’t stand Bethanny and I did try to watch her show but I just can’t stand her personality. I also can’t stand Ramona. What a classless lunatic she is. Actually, come to think of it, I really don’t like any of them. I think I’ll stop watching!!
I was driving and I thought I had run over Ramona! When I stopped and looked, to my surprise , It was only The Big bulging eyes of a big toad I had ran over.