Bethenny Frankel's Surprising Feuds: Unlikely Clashes with Dave Portnoy, Martha Stewart, and Others
Bethenny Frankel created quite a stir with her unexpected feuds involving Barstool's Dave Portnoy, Martha Stewart, Sunny Hostin, and Chrishell Stause In February 2023, Frankel revealed that she almost collaborated with Stewart, despite the latter's apparent dislike for her
Bethenny Frankel has experienced her share of drama with Real Housewives of New York City members, but she has also stirred up controversy with those outside of the franchise. In February 2023, Frankel disclosed an unexpected feud with Martha Stewart following her appearance as a contestant on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart in 2005.
“We’re not friends, but we almost worked on a TV project together even though she can’t stand me,” Frankel revealed on an episode of her “Just B with Bethenny Frankel” podcast. “And I can’t stand her either. I’ve always admired her work ethic and that she’s a go-getter doing things her own way. Whether she admits it or not, she feels the same way about me.”
Frankel continued to explain how a series of misunderstandings caused tension between them. Although the Bravo personality made it to the season’s final two, she was ultimately fired by Stewart.
"What she told me when she let me go was unbelievable," Frankel revealed. "She said, 'Bethenny, you're too assertive, you show off, and you strive to make a physical impact that is not completely necessary at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.'"
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Stewart has yet to comment on Frankel’s allegations.
Keep scrolling to see more of Frankel’s unexpected feuds:
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Bethenny Frankel’s Most Unexpected Feuds: Barstool’s Dave Portnoy, Martha Stewart and More
Bethenny Frankel has had her fair share of drama with members of the Real Housewives of New York City, but she has also caused some controversy with people outside of the franchise. In February 2023, she disclosed an unexpected feud with Martha Stewart after appearing as a contestant on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart in 2005.
“We’re not friends, but we almost worked on a TV project together, even though she can’t stand me,” Frankel revealed on her “Just B with Bethenny Frankel” podcast. “I can’t really stand her, either. But I’ve always admired her work ethic and how she’s not afraid to go after what she wants. And whether she’ll admit it or not, she feels the same way about me."
Frankel then discussed how a series of misunderstandings caused tension between them. Despite making it to the final two, she was ultimately fired by Stewart, adding to the friction between them.
Frankel revealed, "The reason she gave for firing me was unbelievable. She actually said, 'Bethenny, you're too assertive, you show off, and you try too hard to make a physical impact, which isn't really needed at Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.'"
Stewart has not responded to Frankel's claims.
Keep scrolling to see more of Frankel’s unexpected feuds:
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Dave Portnoy
Barstool Sports Founder stated in December 2023 that he was on bad terms with Frankel after she commented on his split from Silvana Mojica. “I know your audience, first of all,” Portnoy said about Frankel on an episode of his “BFFs” podcast. “You think I give a f—k what you think?” Following Portnoy and Mojica’s breakup, rumors swirled that he had cheated on her with Vanderpump Rules alum Rachel “Raquel” Leviss, but Portnoy denied the allegation and criticized Leviss.
“I can confirm I’ve never met that trash bag in my life and it’s wildly insulting to even be mentioned in the same sentence as her,” he told Page Six in November of that year. After the “trash bag” comment, Portnoy claimed Frankel texted him to ask if he knew Leviss. (Leviss had previously made an appearance on Frankel’s podcast.) “I only know her from being the trash bag from Vanderpump Rules,” Portnoy claimed on his podcast, adding that Frankel allegedly asked him to apologize to Leviss. “I was like, ‘I gotta be honest … I would never give unsolicited advice to somebody that has our relationship,” he noted. In a since-deleted Tik-Tok video, Frankel also addressed Portnoy’s comments towards Leviss. “He doesn’t know Raquel, they’ve never met,” she explained. “She has made mistakes, but whatever he’s saying about her is based on an edited, alcohol-fueled, produced reality show. He’s going through a bad breakup and I’m sure his ex gave him a lot of s—t about being linked to Raquel but that’s not an excuse to say something like that to anyone, much less a woman.”
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Martha Stewart
Frankel alleged in February 2023 that Stewart was not a fan of hers after she appeared on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart in 2005. Despite making it to the final two of the season, Frankel was fired from the show. "Oh yeah, she hated me. She hated me," Frankel claimed on an episode of "Just B with Bethenny Frankel."
After the season ended, Frankel bumped into Stewart at a party in St. Barts. Stewart greeted her and introduced her to a friend, saying, "This is Bethenny, she was on my show but she didn't win, so she's mad at me."
The Bravo personality then informed Stewart that she wasn't angry with her, comparing their relationship to someone she used to date. The encounters between the two have persisted over the years, with Stewart appearing as a guest on Frankel's podcast. During the appearance, Stewart referred to the RHONY star as "a pest" from their time on The Apprentice.
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Sunny Hostin
The View cohost slammed Frankel on a June 2019 episode of the talk show while discussing a breakdown Frankel had during a Miami girls' trip on RHONY.
"I'm not personally acquainted with Bethenny, but I've witnessed her behaving in that manner at the beach," Hostin stated. "I saw her yelling at my child while exhibiting the same kind of conduct."
Hostin proceeded to allege that her daughter, Paloma, who was "about 7," was playing with other kids in the afternoon when Frankel insisted that her own daughter, Bryn, was "napping inside with the window open" and that the children were "being too loud on the beach."
"She shouted at my child, and I went out and positioned myself in front of my child. I raised my voice and reminded her that adults should communicate with adults," she asserted. "And she is aware that I am speaking the truth."
When Frankel was questioned about the occurrence on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, she insisted that she had no recollection of it ever occurring.
“I think she’s been drinking or taking some drugs. I don’t know her!” Frankel said.
Hostin took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to defend herself and slam Frankel once again.
“At that time, she wrote, “It’s no surprise that a Reality TV personality who screams and intimidates young children on a beach would also be dishonest. But I have witnesses @Bethenny. @rmjansen, feel free to weigh in. #receipts Oh and @Bethenny - defamation is not attractive….”
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Chrishell Stause
Before Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's highly anticipated interview on CBS in March 2021, Frankel criticized Markle.
"Stop complaining," she tweeted. "From being a game show host and relatively unknown actress, to living in a palace with tiaras and million-dollar weddings for TWO WHOLE YEARS, and now you're a household name."
She persisted, "I opted for reality TV to strive for financial success, even though it meant facing scrutiny and criticism. I accepted the rewards and the hardships that come with it. It's a double-edged sword. Many people aspire to be part of the often toxic environment that I willingly joined. This was the life I chose. You can't act oblivious and intelligent."
Following Frankel's remarks, Stause came to Markle's defense and condemned the RHONY star.
The Selling Sunset star wrote at the time, "I am not a white housewife comparing her struggle to Meghan's. This is about a woman of color joining the Royal Family. It's the delusion for me. Everyone is working overtime trying to silence her. Let us hear what she has to say!"
