Martha Stewart is setting the record straight when it comes to those Real Housewives of New York rumors.
“She says she is not a ‘Housewife,’” Susan Magrino, Stewart’s rep, told Page Six on August 12, after rumors circulated online and in print that the lifestyle guru was being “courted” to join the reality television series’ 16th season.
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Though she might not show up on the series, Stewart, 84, is no stranger to the RHONY universe. In 2017, she accused Luann de Lesseps’ ex-husband, Tom D’Agostino Jr., of failing to return her favorite apple pie dish after he borrowed it. Stewart and former RHONY star Bethenny Frankel have also had a testy bond through the years.
The tension between the two began when Frankel was a contestant on Stewart’s The Apprentice: Martha Stewart reality series. In the podcast episode, Frankel said she approached Stewart at a yacht party, and Stewart thought the reality star was angry at her.
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Frankel wasn’t, and allegedly told her, “Martha, I’m not mad at you. You’re like an ex-boyfriend that I hate, but I’m still in love with.”
The pair also reconnected at the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in New York City. “I walked up to Martha and I sat down, and I said, ‘You’re amazing. What you’ve been doing is unbelievable. I’m so impressed.’ I kissed the proverbial ring,” Frankel added.
She continued, “I said, ‘I’m so sorry for anything that has ever happened.’ Full tail right between legs. Don’t even know what I’m sorry for, doesn’t f***ing matter. Meaning like, we’re both grown-a** women who have nothing to prove in this life.”
Frankel attempted to address the drama during a 2013 episode of her Bethenny series, when she asked Stewart point-blank why she didn’t like her. “It was such a big moment in my life, I kinda just wanted to know what you were feeling. It felt like you didn’t like me to be honest with you,” Frankel told Stewart of losing on The Apprentice.
“You were a pest,” Stewart answered.
On the December 12, 2023, episode of her “Just B with Bethenny Frankel” podcast, the former reality star revealed she and Stewart had buried the hatchet.
“The comments that she’s made to me are insane and the comments that I’ve made back are insane. It’s really been like this nemesis, sort of friendly rivalry,” Frankel, 54, said.
She continued, “It was back and forth, but it was never vicious. It was just sort of like, healthy battle, you know? And for no good reason.”
A premiere date for the 16th season of RHONY has not yet been announced by Bravo, but fans have been closely monitoring casting rumors and filming locations. In May 2025, a source exclusively shared with Us Weekly that “Final decisions haven’t been made, and they are seeing if they can find a solution. The network and producers have been debating whether or not to bring it back.”
RHONY’s Rebecca Minkoff ‘Wasn’t Shocked at All’ by Brynn Whitfield Exit
On June 9, 2025, RHONY star Brynn Whitfield announced she will not return to the series.
“After a lot of thought, I’ve made the decision to walk away from reality TV. For now,” Brynn wrote via her Instagram Story. “To every person who gave me a chance, cheered me on, and afforded me love and grace — thank you.”
