According to a new report, The Real Housewives of New York City will start filming the new season without Leah McSweeney over contract negotiations.
As previously reported, TMZ reported that McSweeney was only being offered a “minuscule” pay raise for the upcoming 13th season. The source is also saying that she feels “disrespected” by the low offer. McSweeney is said to be holding out for a bigger offer that she feels she deserves.
Now, new sources have emerged about the show's upcoming thirteenth season. “Leah is trying to strong arm them into paying her double, putting her on the same money level as old timers LuAnn [de Lesseps] and Sonja [Morgan]. However, Bravo is not budging. They are starting to film without Leah and think she will back down after a few weeks of them not needing her,” an insider told OK!
The insider added, “Bravo is super tight when it comes to money. None of the ladies earn millions on the show. The reason the franchise is so successful and won’t be cancelled like the Kardashians is because Bravo watches the bottom line like a hawk. The only person making a ton of money off this franchise is Bravo.”
Alicia Quarles, who is a Daily Mail correspondence, is rumored to join the show to increase diversity to the series.
“Alicia has been demoted to a ‘friend of’ the show and is being paid a day rate rather than a salary — until she proves herself,” OK! reported. “Bravo is frightened that she might be ‘too nice’ to fight and hang with these super tough ladies.”
The outlet reports that Quarles isn’t the only person of color joining the show. “Another lady will be starting tomorrow,” said the insider, “but so far the ladies have no clue who she is because Bravo is scared of leaks.”
However, a Bravo spokesperson shuts down OK!’s claims, adding, “All of this inaccurate.”
Photo Credit: Bravo/NBCUniversal; Getty Images
