Brynn Whitfield is officially not coming back to The Real Housewives of New York City after ongoing drama with her costars.
“After a lot of thought, I’ve made the decision to walk away from reality TV. For now,” Brynn, 39, wrote via her Instagram Story on Monday, June 9. “Last week, Hoppy — the dating app I co-founded and proudly serve as Chief Marketing Officer — hit a massive download milestone. I can’t even put into words how surreal it feels. All I want to do now is pour every ounce of energy into building Hoppy into the #1 dating app in the world.”
Brynn noted that she was thankful for her time on RHONY, adding, “[It] will always be one of the most fun, chaotic, and magical chapters of my life. It was the honor of a lifetime to help reboot such an iconic franchise. From day one, I’ve believed RHONY is a fan’s show — we’re just temporary custodians of something that truly belongs to the viewers. I hope I made you laugh (a lot), cry (a little), and more than anything — I hope there’s a TV in heaven so that Mimi (who LIVED for her shows) could watch me and be proud.”
While discussing her two-season stint, Brynn said she was “endlessly grateful” for the opportunity.
“To every person who gave me a chance, cheered me on, and afforded me love and grace – thank you,” she continued. “I’ve never felt more me than on my Spotify podcast, Please See Below. And prepare to laugh, cry, and possibly poop when you read my book coming out later this year. To-date, I’ve only shared a fraction of who I am, what I’ve been through and what I’ve learned. It’s the most vulnerable thing I’ve ever written…”
She added: “Splitting my time between my London and NYC offices, building Hoppy alongside the most successful entrepreneurs, developers and marketers — creating THE app where the good guys are (where dating feels fun, safe, and cool again) feels like a life long dream I never knew is coming true. As Sheryl Sandberg said: ‘If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat. Just get on.’ So here we go. We’re done dating his dad. It’s time to steal his inheritance.”
The news comes after Bravo viewers questioned Brynn’s future on the show when tension between her and her costars took a turn during the RHONY cast trip to Puerto Rico in the season 15 finale. In the episode, Ubah Hassan alleged that Brynn slept with someone to get cast on the show, which led Brynn to share that she had been sexually assaulted in the past. Brynn claimed Ubah, 41, knew about the incident and was upset she would make the insinuation after hearing the story.
Ubah, however, was adamant that she had no knowledge of Brynn’s experience. Brynn later allegedly told Erin Lichy that she said she didn’t know if Ubah had “clocked it” when she revealed the incident during an emotional phone conversation.
The drama has since continued off-screen, with Brynn doubling down on her version of the events in an interview with Rolling Stone
“It’s not right to assume that everyone remembers everything that you say all the time and then hold them accountable for that,” Brynn said. “I know for a fact that I said it, but when someone’s screaming into the phone, the other person might not necessarily hear them.”
Brynn said it was “shocking” to hear her costars accuse her of lying. “You’re telling me that in the three minutes from when I’m called horrible names [by Ubah] and I’m obviously upset that I somehow devised a plan?” she said. “It’s disgusting that I’m talking about two things that I would hope that no woman or person would have to experience — suicide and sexual assault — and everyone’s like, ‘Brynn, we feel taken advantage of.’ Maybe don’t use those words to describe the situation. I just feel like I wasn’t shown much [respect].”
Ahead of the Tuesday, January 28, reunion episode of RHONY, news broke that producers put out a casting call. “It’s that time…,” the Shed Casting account wrote via Instagram on Monday, January 27. “🍎Come and get your apple.” (The media company has previously worked with Bravo shows including RHONY and The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.)
Shed Casting also answered some commonly asked questions about the casting process via their Instagram Story, sharing that producers are looking for those who live in Brooklyn and Manhattan who have an “organic connection to someone on the cast.”
Shed Casting shared that they are looking for women who “should be living a Bravo lifestyle” and noted that they are searching for those who “make sense with the current cast. 30s-50s.” Us Weekly reached out to Bravo for comment at the time.
Alongside Brynn, Ubah and Erin, the most recent season of RHONY starred Sai De Silva, Jenna Lyons, Jessel Taank and Racquel Chevremont as well as Rebecca Minkoff as a “friend” of the women. It is not confirmed whether all of the cast members are returning.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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