The long-awaited 16th season of Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of New York City” is set to premiere on September 8. Now, ahead of the first episode, returning fan-favorite Carole Radziwill is opening up about why she said yes to the show, becoming a full-time cast member, and her connection with Andy Cohen.
Carole Radziwill Reflects on Her RHONY Return
GettyRadziwill and the cast of “The Real Housewives of New York City” recently sat for a panel with Cohen to discuss the upcoming season. During it, he noted that she had been promoted to a full-time cast member, whereas she had previously been expected to be a friend of the show. Per the clip shared by Page Six’s Virtual Reali-Tea, “I have to assume that you were the most surprised of all.”
She said, “Well, I was surprised when you asked me in the first place.” After that, Radziwill revealed to the audience that she initially believed Cohen would ask her to join Bravo’s dating series, “Love Hotel.” According to her, “And I thought, this is going to be easy because I definitely can’t be on ‘Love Hotel.'”
She continued, “When he said RHONY, I don’t know, I didn’t speak for a few minutes.” Cohen then confirmed that Radziwill had been rendered speechless by his request that she return to “The Real Housewives of New York City.”
From there, Cohen asked why she said, “yes to coming back.” The noted journalist responded, “For a couple of different reasons. I think there was part of me that felt it was like such a big part of my life, you know, six years on the show, very powerful show, and it’s a part of my story.”
Radziwill went on to say she felt there was “more to tell” of her story via RHONY. Toward the end of the clip, she discussed a “perfect storm” surrounding a “narrative” that unfolded during the season.
Carole Teared Up Discussing Andy Cohen
GettyIn another clip from the “Real Housewives of New York City” panel, Radziwill could be seen discussing her recently mended friendship with Cohen. She said in the video, “I told him, and I’ll tell you, every time I saw Andy, every time I see him, I start to cry.”
The RHONY star continued, as she fought through tears, “It’s been great knowing him as long as I’ve known him, and it’s been great coming back.” She then said that she’s “thankful to him.” This then led Cohen to share that Radziwill had brought the entire “Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th” cast to tears during her appearance, which he says will be seen in episode seven.
She Previously Revealed She Wasn’t Sure About Returning
GettyRadziwill spoke to Bravo Insider in August 2026 ahead of the “Real Housewives of New York City” season 16 premiere. During the conversation, she stated that after Cohen reached out to her following BravoCon in November, she had an idea he would ask he to return.
She shared, “For some reason, I had it in my head. I’m like, he’s going to ask me to be on [the show].” Later, they spoke, and she’d been correct. According to her, “I literally, I had a brain freeze. I was like, ‘What? Like, I didn’t even think it could be a thing.’ To be honest, it was like 50-50 when I left the room. I really wasn’t sure.”
