Rebecca Minkoff ExitsThe Real Housewives of New York CityAfter 1 Season: ‘Time to Turn the Page’

Mar. 15, 2025

Rebecca Minkoff at ‘The Real Housewives of New York City’ season 15 premiere.Photo:Clifton Prescod/BRAVO via Getty

Clifton Prescod/BRAVO via Getty

On Tuesday, Feb. 4, the fashion designer and best-selling author announced she was exiting the long-running Bravo series, which she joined as a Friend for season 15.

“2025 is a new beginning for me and with current events in the world, I am reminded the importance of family, friends and community now more than ever,” Minkoff, 42, wrote in a lengthy Instagram post.

She went on to explain that she has developed a “new perspective” over the last month and wants to focus on “my wildly amazing 4 kids, my supportive husband, my business of 20 years” and a slew of other projects including her podcast,Superwomen with Rebecca Minkoff.

“I want to reprioritize the things that mean the most to me: designing, giving back, supporting women and raising my family,” Minkoff said. “I am truly grateful for the experience, the friendships and the fans that have been part of thisRHONYchapter.”

“Time to turn the page,” she said.

Minkoff’s post came hours after her appearance on part 2 of the season 15RHONYreunion, alongside HousewivesSai De Silva,Ubah Hassan,Erin Lichy,Jenna Lyons,Jessel TaankandBrynn Whitfield.

The co-founder of the Female Founder Collective was on the defense during the bulk of her time on the reunion, with Whitfield, 38, criticizing her for using the show to promote her brand rather than share things about her personal life.

From left: Rebecca Minkoff, Jessel Taank and Jenna Lyons on ‘The Real Housewives of New York City’ season 15 reunion.Clifton Prescod/Bravo via Getty

Clifton Prescod/Bravo via Getty

Host andHousewivesexecutive producerAndy Cohenalso asked Minkoff about her hesitance on the show to open up to the group about being a Scientologist.

“I was reluctant to discuss it,” Minkoff noted. “I feel like in general, this subject with me and the show has been disrespected. It is a personal belief, it has helped me overcome depression, anxiety, be a better mom, be a better communicator, deal with the incredibly intense pressure of running a company. And then to get attacked for it? We’re dealing in a time of being attacked for what we believe in.”

“Some of the things said in confessionals really hurt,” she added. “And I think that outside of the show, you get attacked all day. So I’m dealing with it from both ends.”

From left: Jenna Lyons, Rebecca Minkoff and Sai De Silva on ‘The Real Housewives of New York City’ season 15.Charles Sykes/Bravo

Charles Sykes/Bravo

The entrepreneur, who is also Jewish, went on to explain that she felt as though her cast mates would only bring up Scientology as “clickbait” to get her “to react” rather than because they wanted “to know more.”

“I’m happy to talk about it if I feel like I’m in a place where I can have an honest conversation,” she said, as Lyons, 56, told her “we were all feeling like we didn’t want to bring it up because it felt like it was a closed subject.”

Before her exit, Cohen, 56, asked Minkoff how she felt about those who have called Scientology a cult.

“That is a bigoted term,” Minkoff said. “It’s hate-speech to keep calling a religion a cult. You wouldn’t be asking me these questions about Christianity, [Islam], Judaism. I’m tired of the attacks and it’s suddenly okay for this religion. It is not.”

Rebecca Minkoff strikes a pose for ‘The Real Housewives of New York City’ on Bravo.Getty Images

Getty Images

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It is unknown whether Minkoff will be the only member of theRHONYcast to depart ahead of season 16. PEOPLE reached out to Bravo, but the network typically does not comment on casting.

Filming for the series is expected to start later this year.

Previous seasons ofThe Real Housewives of New York Citycan be streamed on Peacock.

source: people.com