Real Housewives of New York season 8 is filming but itâs 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!
âThey tried to power play Bravo,â revealed a source. âThey tried to hold out for more money.â Ramona, Sonja and Luann were trying to stonewall Bravo into paying them the same $1 million dollar salary Bethenny Farnkel earns. Bethenny doesnât think they deserve it, and unfortunately neither does Bravo!
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âThe network said, âGuess what? Weâre not even going to give you a contract,âââ reveals an insider. Instead Ramona, Sonja and Luann will be reduced to âpay for playâ roles, or the eponymous âFriends.âÂ
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.Â
An insider closely connected to Real Housewives Of New York tells Page Six that Luann, Ramona, and Sonja will only be filming âif they are necessary and it works in the context of their scene.â
However thereâs a bonus! âThey actually can make more money on [this] rate,â explains the insider. âThey donât have to work six days a week, and they donât have to go to events or go on vacationsâ unless they want to. Luann was demoted in season 6, and it was her best to date â she filmed the majority of the season and was in more scenes than many of the actual cast members, including participating in the reunion.Â
Of her previous demotion, Luann called the situation a âwin-win for me.â Â
âIâm still very much a part of the show, but itâs not a full-time thing,â Luann explained at the time. âItâs very engulfing when youâre on it. It takes up all of your mental and physical energy.â
In season 8Â 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.Â
Luannâs rep refused to confirm the status of Luannâs situation with Real Housewives Of New York because The Countess, âdoesnât discuss financial issues.â How gauche!Â
As for Sonja, itâs not clear if sheâs returning in any capacity. Is she still holding out, or is she too accepting her âFriendâ 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.Â
TELL US â ARE YOU SURPRISED RAMONA, LUANN, AND SONJA ARE âFRIENDSâ? IS THAT GOOD OR BAD?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]Â
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