Bethenny Frankel Voices Disgust Over Bravo Filming Funeral

Real Housewives of New York alum Bethenny Frankel has voiced her disgust over Bravo‘s decision to film at a funeral.

Bethenny reconciled with a dear friend at the memorial of Bobby Zarin. The moment caught between Bethenny and Bobby’s wife Jill Zarin was filmed on Bravo’s ever-present cameras. But Bobby’s widow says Bravo never had permission to film. And Bethenny is speaking out against the network’s decision to violate that emotional moment. Read on to find out what the controversy is all about.

Bethenny And Jill Reconcile Amid Grief

When Bobby Zarin passed, his funeral famously became a filmed spectacle between Bethenny Frankel and his wife, Jill Zarin.

Bethenny and Jill were long-time friends who had been feuding for years before Bobby’s passing. When Bethenny surprised Jill by attending the funeral, the pair seemed to share a moment of accord while Bravo cameras caught it all. However, it turns out that the grieving widow never gave the network her consent for filming.

On Bethenny Frankel’s ReWives podcast, she and Jill Zarin discussed the funeral and the infamous reconciliation scene.

Jill said that she had no idea the scene was being filmed outside of the memorial. What’s worse, she said she did not consent to the intimate moment being filmed. Bethenny responded, “That’s literally the most disgusting thing I’ve ever heard.” She called it embarrassing, then reiterated that it was disgusting. Bethenny added to Jill, “I apologize, because it was a spectacle and a circus and yes the lines are blurred.”

Bethenny Frankel Blasts Bravo For Filming Friend’s Funeral Against Widow’s Wishes

During the pair’s reunion on Bethenny’s podcast, Jill ardently denied consenting to filming at the funeral. And she says she did not know Bethenny would be attending after the former friends spent years feuding. Jill explained, “You were there, and I was so happy, then I come downstairs.” Someone then told Jill that Bethenny wanted to speak with her. When they spoke, Jill did not have a microphone on, but Bethenny did, apparently expecting that they were both participating knowingly in the filming.

A horrified Bethenny clarified, “So what you’re saying is, I f**king ambushed a funeral for reality television?” Bethenny said that Bravo producer Andy Cohen had assured her that they had permission to film at the funeral. While Jill said she spoke to the network about some aspects of Bobby’s death, she had no idea they filmed her reconciliation with Bethenny until the scene aired months later.

Jill said it “might have been ok” but that she felt taken advantage of because she didn’t know that the moment was being filmed. It led to further strain between Bethenny and Jill who felt she was ambushed during a vulnerable time. But the two seem to be making up for lost time, and the podcast appearance could be the start of a beautiful new (old) friendship.

Do you think Bethenny Frankel knew she was setting Jill Zarin up? Or do you believe she was misled? Sound off about the controversy in the comments. And catch RHONY on Bravo and Peacock.