Bethenny on Getting Married, Being Mom and Having A New Show
No, “Bethenny Getting Married” will not be a continuation of “The Real Housewives of New York City.” That’s what star Bethenny Frankel told a gaggle of reporters about her new show, which premieres on Bravo June 10th at 10 p.m. ET.
“Everyone at Bravo is so surprised it’s so different,” she commented. “You get into the minutia and the details of my life. It’s really funny but emotional, but it’s not caddy. I don’t have to be at a charity event and rip someone a new one for it to be entertaining.”
This time around, the focus is all on her as she tries to juggle her career, plans to wed Jason Hoppy, and preparation for the of their first child, Bryn, who was born last month. In between editing her third book and making a TV appearance, Frankel took time to dish on everything wedding, ‘Housewives,’ breast feeding and more.
Q: Your show seems to have a lot more humor integrated into it than “The Real Housewives of New York.” Is this something you did intentionally?
Bethenny: ‘The Real Housewives’ doesn’t show me in my true light. You see bits and pieces, but I’m not a woman who really hangs out with a lot of women. I focus mostly on work and when I’m in a relationship on my relationship. This gets more micro into the details of my life. There aren’t blowouts or charity events. I don’t really go out that much. I’m pretty much home in my pajamas most of the time unless I have to go out for work. That’s more of what my life is like versus ‘Housewives.’
Q: So is this show more dedicated to your personal life or your professional life?
B: This show is a balance of both. It’s more dedicated to the struggles I go through being 39, getting engaged, getting pregnant, doing everything backwards like being pregnant at my bridal shower and balancing my career. All my things are doing well, I’m lucky to be successful, but it’s more about Jason and I planning the wedding and me shopping for a wedding dress when I’m six months pregnant.
The devil is in the details. I sweat the small stuff. I could have a C-section and not be in any pain with medication, but if you give me too small of a portion at the ice cream store, I could have a nervous breakdown. That’s the kind of person that I am.
Q: Are you apprehensive about showing your therapy session on the show?
B: I don’t have time to go to therapy, but I would do a show just to have therapy once a week and have to be there – I’d run there. I don’t notice that the cameras are even there. I’ve learned a lot and I can’t wait to go back. It was actually my idea to do therapy on the show. I mean, I need therapy. When you’re pregnant, while planning a wedding, while doing a book tour and formally having been afraid of commitment, it’s not a bad thing to lock the door before you get robbed.
Q: We see Alex and Simon come to your dinner party in the first episode. Are you integrating other Housewives into this show?
B: It’s only to the extent of what’s going on in my life. I invited Alex to my bridal shower and she came and I invited Ramona and she was out of town. It’s not orchestrated and there’s no drama. And Jill will not be on the show because she’s not in my life.
Q: Has Jill reached out to you during this time?
B: No, I saw her at the reunion but she’s not in my life anymore. This time I really want people that are good for me and good for my family and I want clean energy.
Q: Is that why you might be pulling out of “Housewives”?
B: It’s not a cliché when I say I don’t believe in staying at a party too long. But what am I going to say to Jill? The purpose I have on the “Housewives” show is my comments, so if they need my running commentary, perhaps I would do it. But you’re seeing my life here on this show, so I don’t know what I’d be doing there.
Q: How did you feel about Jill announcing the birth of your baby first on Twitter and erroneously announcing it was a boy?
B: My honest reaction was she can’t get out of her own way and it wasn’t like she had to pick the winner of the Kentucky Derby. She had a 50/50 chance and still didn’t get it right.
Q: How do you react to Kelly and Dina calling you scary and intimidating?
B: Kelly has this whole nonsense bullying angle she’s working now, which is idiotic; she’s a 41-year-old woman. Anything she says you can’t listen to because she’s out of her mind and certifiable. But Dina is a really sweet, nice Jersey girl, so I can see her thinking I’m scary. I grew up at the racetrack, I’m a little street and definitely a little rough around the edges and a scrapper, so I get it.
Q: What was more painful – labor or your trip to St. John’s with Kelly?
B: By far – St. John’s with Kelly! The C-section was less painful than being with Kelly. That trip was horrendous….horrendous!
Q: Did the doctor say why Bryn was born prematurely?
B: I thought it was because I was active, doing yoga and walking, but the doctor said there would be only two reasons and they are infection and unknown. I like answers, so I have no idea. But she’s over six pounds now. She eats so much. I think she’s making up for being so small.
Q: Are you breastfeeding her?
B: I am and it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. It’s so time consuming and you don’t have your own life. I haven’t even showered yet today. I’ve been editing my third book, and haven’t showered because of the feeding and pumping – and by the way, I should be on the cover of Jugs magazine – so it’s rewarding but it’s definitely challenging.
Q: Are you getting any sleep?
B: I’m feeling really exhausted because she gets up every three or four hours and I have to pump too, so no, I’m not sleeping a lot, but it’s OK. I have a baby nurse, so it’s been a real learning experience. Jason and I feed and bathe her, but it’s nice to have a nurse tell you that they have to get the burp out and that you don’t put alcohol on the belly button thing so it’s nice to know what’s going on.
Q: Are you planning on going to the Hamptons this summer and if so, what are some of your favorite places there?
B: I love the Montauk Yacht Club and we’re going there in August. I like the Hideaway in Montauk, which is a dive Mexican place and you know I love margaritas. We will also go to The Palm, because Jason loves to get a good steak, John’s Drive-in has the best ice cream – I love the Peanut Butter Explosion, we play golf at the Montauk Downs, John’s Pancake House and yoga at Fangha.
Q: Are you excited to have a baby in the summer in New York?
B: The baby never leaves the house. I have only gone across the West Side Highway and I almost had a nervous breakdown crossing it with her. The thought of how much it takes to schlep out to the Hamptons could give me a nervous breakdown. We are going to take her, but I have no idea what we’re going to do.
Q: Do you think at some point you might not want Bryn to be exposed to the reality world?
B: She’s in my show a little bit, but she’s just a little baby, so it’s not like she does anything. But it is a concern for once she’s older. So, in moderation,
Q: How is [your dog] Cookie reacting to Bryn?
B: I just spent some Cookie time in my bed, but she’s been a tiny bit, not neglected, but it’s been an adjustment. But I’m more concerned about when she’s a toddler. My vet told me to read CHILDPROOFING YOUR DOG, so I’m cautious but she’s very calm and protective.
Q: Can you address the recent criticism that you lost too much weight too quickly?
B: Yeah you can’t win for losing, so you have to take it with a grain of salt since it came from Page Six (of the NY Post). I gained 35 pounds when I was pregnant and gave birth five weeks early and probably would have been at 40 pounds, which is healthy, so as far as sending a message to women, it’s that you should be healthy before, during and after your pregnancy. My books have sold hundreds of thousands of copies because I teach women how to be naturally thin without obsessing over it. I was in the hospital six days, and most of it was baby stuff like water. I ate sensibly when I was pregnant but with indulgences, so if I wanted cheesecake I had it for lunch, not for dinner. I don’t count calories, but I was definitely eating more. But walking and doing yoga and just being normal – it comes off. The people who have a major struggle have gone off the rails and are going to McDonalds and Taco Bell. I really didn’t do anything different.
Q: Have you ever struggled with your weight and how can someone be naturally thin who has struggled with their weight?
B: I used to be a yo-yo person, obsessed with dieting and was up and down and hearing internal food noise. I learned how to become naturally thin and never diet again, just be one of those people who can control their portions and view their diet as a bank account. Never did I have an eating disorder, but I think it’s a disorder to be so obsessed with dieting, but I was never anorexic or anything like that. As for those struggling with their weight, you can rev up your metabolism by changing up your workout. I don’t believe in eating at certain times of the day, but listen to your body.
Q: How does it feel to be a real ‘housewife’?
B: It’s great. The minute I walked down the aisle, I was just so happy to be marrying Jason. I love being married and married to him. Everything came together and it’s really nice.
