The Real Housewives of New York is heading into its tenth season, and the show is reportedly looking to boost its diversity as it does so.
PageSix reported insiders close to the show as saying that showrunners were concerned about the lack of diversity the show has seen thus far. “After nine seasons, the show’s been very white, and in the most diverse, melting pot of a city,” one such source told the site, adding, “They just shot the reunion — so now is the time [that] they start really looking at what they’ll do with the next cast.”
Another source was quoted as saying, “New York is such a diverse city. The show should definitely reflect that.”
The cast is on board as well. In fact, Star Bethenny Frankel recently told Parade, “I would like to see some younger cast members. I’d like to see an African-American woman on the show. I suggested someone who didn’t work out. There are really no Jewish women in the cast. There are also no Asian, Latino or gay women on the show. I’d like it to represent New York more.”
But according to the source, whoever it will be will likely already be known to the current cast: “Unless you’re famous, you really have to be friends with someone on the show to get cast.”