Heather Thomson will not be seen during tonight’s Season 8 premiere of The Real Housewives of New York City , nor will she be seen on any further episodes of the series.
Last year, ahead of production on Season 8, Heather Thomson announced she would not be back when the series returned, and while there were rumors regarding her possible firing, she appeared to have left on her own accord.
“When the opportunity came to do this show, I had this list of pros and cons,” Heather Thomson explained to Us Weekly in September 2015. “Three years in, the pros list is just gone. They don’t exist anymore.”
Heather Thomson Quits #RHONY ? – https://t.co/UBZRCoeKQV pic.twitter.com/wOHAacdcL3
— Riot Wrestling (@RiotWrestling1) March 28, 2016
“[Heather Thomson] just knew it was time to move on,” her co-star, Carole Radziwill, explained.
Andy Cohen, the producer of The Real Housewives of New York City , reportedly “understood” Heather Thomson’s decision, which she made due to her desire to focus solely on her family, including her husband and two children, and her career.
“He knows I have a big business that needs my focus. He’s proud of me and the job that I did on the show. He graciously complimented my integrity, who I am and who I’ve always been,” Heather Thomson recalled.
Heather Thomson joined the cast of The Real Housewives of New York City after Season 4, when Jill Zarin, Alex McCord, Kelly Bensimon, and Cindy Barshop were all left out of contract renewals. At the same time, Bravo brought Carole Radziwill and Aviva Drescher aboard, but Drescher only appeared on the show for two seasons.
After leaving The Real Housewives of New York City , Heather Thomson has been focused on her two full-time jobs, being a mom to her daughter, Ella Rae, 8, and son, Jax, 10, and running her shape wear company, Yummie by Heather Thomson.
“The long shooting days don’t work for me anymore,” Heather Thomson said.
Still, Heather Thomson did speak well of her co-stars, claiming she would miss the laughter they shared.
Heather Thomson Calls Dorinda Medley and Luann Out – https://t.co/J368A3VMRR #RHONY pic.twitter.com/raQ9mxkhPk
— Riot Wrestling (@RiotWrestling1) March 31, 2016
Carole Radziwill, meanwhile, felt the same way about her former co-star.
“We had some really good times,” she told the magazine of her relationship with Heather Thomson.
“Heather is a very accomplished and honorable person,” Radziwill continued. “She brought that and so much more to the show. She’s an incredible mom and business woman, with or without the show. There is no doubt Heather will always do great things. While she won’t be part of the show, she is still a part of my life, and for that I’m grateful. Holla!”
In addition to Heather Thomson’s exit from The Real Housewives of New York City , Kristen Taekman will also not be seen during Season 8. Following a scandal involving her husband Josh Taekman, and his account with an infamous cheating website, it was revealed that the mother of two would not be returning.
“I feel like I had a great two year run, it was so much fun,” Taekman explained to Fox 411 after her exit was revealed. “All good things come to an end; onward and upward onto new things. The beauty of it is I am still really good friends with all of the ladies, I just don’t have any of the drama anymore.”
During the same interview, Heather Thomson’s former co-star, Taekman, admitted that she would be open to doing more reality television in the future.
The Real Housewives of New York City Season 8 premieres tonight, April 6, at 9 p.m. on Bravo. Check out a sneak peek at the upcoming season below.
[Photo by Robin Marchant/ Getty Images ]
