Bethenny Frankel Offered $1.5 Million For Season 9 Of ‘RHONY,’ LuAnn De Lesseps ‘Battling It Out’ To Remain On The Show

After all of the drama of the Season 8 reunion, will Bethenny Frankel return for Season 9 of the Real Housewives of New York? While Frankel was offered six figures to return, her RHONY co-stars weren’t so lucky. Who had to fight to stay on the show for Season 9?

According to Daily Mail, producers are willing to pay Frankel $1.5 million to stay on, while other cast members had to fight and claw for new contracts. With Frankel earning the most next season, an insider revealed the rest of ladies resorted to their “the usual back-stabbing, claw-digging and nastiness.” Frankel’s new contract is understandable given her ability to drum up drama.

In fact, producers might be low balling Frankel, who managed to pick a fight with just about everyone on the show last season.

As far as the other ladies are concerned, they are reportedly looking to earn around $400,000 for the next season.

“They just can’t pay everyone $1 million – they can’t afford that,” the insider stated.

Meanwhile, producers are also looking for new faces for next year after Jules Wainstein’s departure. No official announcements have been made, although rumors hint that Bravo might transfer a Real Housewives member from another show.

This isn’t the first time RHONY has faced contract rumors. According to Fox News, LuAnn de Lesseps, Ramona Singer, and Sonja Morgan all fought for better salaries last season.

Their efforts eventually backfired as Bravo downgraded them to part-time stars, but de Lesseps went full-time after her drama with Tom D’Agostino Jr.

Have @Bethenny And @CountessLuann Moved Passed Their #RHONY Season 8 Reunion Drama?: https://t.co/u2C5ifSNb2 pic.twitter.com/EH5eMNxAxL

— Caitlyn (@nyltiaccc) September 8, 2016

Speaking of de Lesseps, Movie News Guide is reporting that she might not return for Season 9. De Lesseps and Frankel fought throughout the entirety of Season 8, and their feud outlasted the reunion.

Frankel’s main beef with de Lesseps centered on her relationship with D’Agostino. As fans will recall, Bethenny Frankel confronted de Lesseps about D’Agostino’s shady past. She later showed de Lesseps proof that her fiancé cheated on her on the night of their engagement party.

During the reunion, de Lesseps insinuated that Frankel was cheating with Dennis Shields, who is technically still married.

Considering all the cheating scandals and contract drama, reports indicate that de Lesseps has had enough of RHONY and will not be a part of Season 9.

While fans wait to learn de Lesseps true fate, it is clear that Wainstein is leaving the show. According to E! Online, the reality star is sitting Season 9 out in order to focus on her rebuilding her family.

“Jules is going good through a divorce and is putting her family first,” an insider told the outlet.

Season 8 was the first year for Wainstein, who also went through a nasty divorce from her husband Michael after filming concluded.

'RHONY' Star Jules Wainstein's Divorce — Awarded $10k in Monthly Support … But Good Luck Collecting https://t.co/f5rlyU9SjO

— TMZ (@TMZ) September 8, 2016

Wainstein’s divorce drama has only gotten worse in recent months, especially after she called the cops on Michael and filed for a temporary restraining order. Wainstein and Michael were married for eight years before deciding to cut ties. The couple had two kids during their union, Rio and Jagger.

“She is a great mom who is just focused on her kids right now,” the insider shared, adding that Wainstein is “trying to take the high road” when it comes to dishing on her divorce.

With Wainstein out the door and de Lesseps likely to follow, there’s no telling who Bravo will cast for next year’s season.

Whatever happens, it sounds like fans can count on Frankel being back in action, especially considering her lucrative contract.

Season 9 of the Real Housewives of New York is expected to premiere on Bravo next year.

Tell us! Would RHONY be the same without “The B”? Let us know in the comments and check out what Bethenny Frankel had to say about the reunion in the clip below.

[Image via Bravo]