Then she looks back toward her door with a door-knocker in the shape of a bee.
We better do this inside, she says.
The author, entrepreneur, podcaster, and reality television star is practicing a time-management strategy she calls stacking.
Which is nothing, compared to some days.
Its a short stack, Frankel says.
The high notes will be familiar to fans.
Frankel admits she heard as much when she first started to think about leaving the show.
We might be reaching that time where people are going to be like,Why are you still there?
Its a rhetorical question.
The reason to be there is money, Frankel says.
Or so her 12-year-old daughter tells her.
Just to get her opinion.
She’s like, Mom, you’re able to’t go back toHousewives.
It’s not you, Frankel says.
You don’t apologize to your kids for working, but it did stick with me.
It would have to be good enough to justify the media circus surrounding the show.
You go onWatch What Happens Live, and it’s a gotcha moment, she says.
[Housewives] go on antidepressants and get anxiety.
It’s all about the money.
People are getting anxiety and still doing it.
But shes not above the occasional, strategic use of theHousewivesPR machine.
Oooh, I have a question you could ask me, Frankel says.
Of all the Housewives, who’s ever donated [to BStrong]?
Of all the Housewives, whos ever donated to BStrong?
That’s a good one, she says.
Ramona did Cameos for Ukraine without asking for credit.
Jackie and Dolores and Margaret post about it, which is very meaningful.
Carole donated, Luann donated, and Ramona donated.
She doesn’t even know that.
I mean, I thanked her then, but that was a moment.
Tinsley and Scott, her boyfriend at the time.
And that’s it.
Refreshingly, much of her book is devoted to episodes that are not clear-cut wins.
Frankel announced she was leaving the partnership several months afterThe Big Shotaired.
Talking aboutThe Big Shotnow, Frankel praises MGMs Mark Burnett for showing her how a series gets sold.
There was a disagreement about salary.
Huma’s definitely been with a lint brush, but then also speaking with intelligence at the White House.
Is there a world where I can do a studio show?
Something where it’s like I show up over there in your house?
I don’t want everyone at my house.
Inside, a framed, calligraphed poster lists all of the homes owners dating back to the 1700s.
Theres row after row of dead WASP couples and then Bethenny Frankel.
Ive asked Frankel to talk about what it means to run a brand called Skinnygirl in 2022.
Oh, I love that.
Stay here, she says, rising to pop swing open the refrigerator.
I’m going to get some fruit.
The refrigerator door shelves are labeled to the inch.
NotDairy, butCream cheese.
Where Skinnygirl failed as a marketing proposition, she explains, was swimwear.
How many women want to step into a dressing room with a bikini labeled Skinnygirl?
Back at the refrigerator, Frankel changes her mind about the fruit.
Ill do this later, she says.
Unless you want something?
InBusiness Is Personal, Frankel writes that fear of getting canceled influenced her restraint with the branding Skinnygirl.
But, in person, she tells me, literally no one criticizes it.
You know what I mean?
I happen to be thin, OK?
I don’t exercise, she says.
Her tone says: What more do we want from her?
I’m doing that for everybody.
I’m not exercising.
I’ll do that.
I eat crappy food.
I’m doing that, too.
It’s OK to want to gain weight.
It’s OK to want to lose weight.
It’s OK to want to work out.
It’s OK to want to be a flabby 50-year-old.
I’m just saying …
I may be thin but I don’t want to exercise.
Iwantto want to exercise.
I want to have the time.
I just don’t do it.
Sleep is where I put my attention.
Frankels dress has just arrived from Oscar de la Renta.
I never call in clothes.
This sweater is H&M, she says, gesturing to a pink cardigan draped over her shoulders.
He sent me literally five pictures.
I said, I’ll take that one.
I’ve literally seen people first seen on theHousewivesto go through 20 [looks], she says.
She plans to ask the designer if she can buy the dress.
I don’t like to rent.
I’m not a renter in real estate or dresses.
I like it because last year the whole cast ofJersey Shoregot it.
So I’m just one person.
I’m not part of a cast.
