Bethenny Frankel Details How She Originally Landed 'RHONY' Role

As Frankel tells it, Bravo only had The Real Housewives of Orange County at the time, and the production company wanted to start Manhattan Moms, which was supposed to chronicle rich moms in Manhattan. She said they "wanted someone rich and aspirational," and the cast needed five moms. Frankel said Jill Zarin and Ramona Singer (eventual Housewives) were among four women who were lined up to do the show. But the production company was looking for a fifth mom. Problem is, Frankel says they scoured the city and couldn't find anyone they liked.