RHONY’s Dorinda Medley Says She ‘Cried My Eyes Out’ After Being Let Go

Dorinda Medley likes to make it nice and keep it real.

More than four years after leaving The Real Housewives of New York City, Medley, 59, remains grateful for the viewers who still want to see her return to the Bravo reality show.

“I always find it hysterical that [the fans] think we have something to do about it,” she exclusively told Us Weekly when promoting Words With Friends on Friday, November 8. “Call Andy [Cohen]! Andy’s the only one that can make that happen.”

She continued, “I was at a meet and greet last night and someone asked, ‘Would you ever?’ Listen, I’m open to all opportunities. I loved my time on Bravo. I cried my eyes out when they let me go. I’m not gonna lie. I’m not one of these people that made a statement that said I decided to take some [time off]. I don’t wanna go.”

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After six seasons, Medley announced in August 2020 that she would no longer be part of The Real Housewives of New York City. She has since appeared in two seasons of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip on Bravo.

In 2022, Bravo announced RHONY would return with a new slate of cast members. Medley revealed to Us that she is watching partly because she likes to share her thoughts on her SiriusXM “Reality Checked” show.

“I feel both intrusive and protective,” she told Us about her viewing experience. “It’s something I was on so I deal with it very gingerly and people love to do comparisons and make it negative. And I always just say, ‘Listen, it’s not like they chose one over the other. They decided to get rid of one and start this new.’ I say this with kindness, but the crown was heavy. The girls had a very strong legacy and people are very sentimental and committed to them.”

Dorinda Medley.

As Jenna Lyons, Erin Lichy, Sai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Jessel Taank, Brynn Whitfield and more stars continue documenting their lives for the cameras, Medley hopes people continue to give them a chance.

“We need to see what these young girls look like in New York,” Medley joked. “I don’t know what a 36-year-old woman looks like in New York anymore. It’s a very different way of running your life and raising your kids than when I was doing it. So I always say, ‘Give them a chance.’ And if there’s ever a world where we collide and something comes together, I’m sure that would be fun as well. Let the gods at Bravo decide. And we’re here, a telephone call away.”

For now, Medley has her hands full as she transforms Bluestone Manor for the holidays. She’s also teaming up with The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Dorit Kemsley for a new campaign about Words With Friends.

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Medley said she loves playing the popular word game where players take turns building words crossword-puzzle style in a manner similar to the classic board game Scrabble.

“We have a lot of downtime because we’re always traveling,” Medley explained about her and Kemsley’s lifestyle. “You’re always sitting in an airport, sitting in a car, waiting to go on an appearance, doing your confessionals. It’s a great way — without having to call and engage in that way — just to sneak away and just connect. It’s very relaxing. And who doesn’t like also getting your brain going, you know?”

With reporting by Mandie DeCamp