Jill Zarin Reveals Bravo Penalized Her for Rejecting a “Meager Offer” for RHONY Legacy, Opens Up About Daughter’s Wedding, Anxiety Meds, and Possible TV Return

The Real Housewives of New York has undergone significant changes since it first aired in 2008. Like many long-running shows, it has seen multiple cast shakeups, culminating in a full reboot that left some longtime fans disappointed. Despite these changes, the original cast members (OGs) still hold a special place in viewers’ hearts, with many eager to catch up on their lives beyond the screen. Recently, Jill Zarin, one of the beloved OGs, opened up about her life post-RHONY and how much she’s changed since leaving the show.

Fans will remember Jill as one of the original cast members of RHONY. After being part of the show for the first four seasons, she was let go but made a brief return in season 9. Since then, Jill has made a few appearances on reality TV, including a controversial stint on Below Deck. Her behavior towards the crew on that show sparked backlash from viewers, marking a low point in her reality TV journey.

Recently, The Cut did a feature on former RHONY stars, giving fans a glimpse into where they are now. Jill Zarin’s profile, in particular, stood out. One of the most interesting takeaways was a story she shared that directly contradicted her previous on-screen behavior, especially what fans saw on Below Deck. Jill recounted a difficult experience at an airport that showcased her personal growth. Reflecting on the incident, she revealed that her ability to handle stress had improved dramatically, something she credited to being on anxiety medication.

“That would’ve been a great scene on Housewives 20 years ago,” Jill admitted, “because I would’ve had a meltdown.”

Jill also shared how her life has improved overall and what fans might see if she were to return to reality TV today. Beyond her personal development, she’s currently busy helping plan her daughter’s wedding, which has brought its own set of challenges. “As you get older, your life gets better. If you were watching me now, you’d see party planning, the fighting — her fiancé wants a kosher wedding because his father’s kosher. So, for one person, am I gonna make a whole kosher wedding?”

In addition to reflecting on her present life, Jill opened up about the highly anticipated RHONY: Legacy show that ultimately didn’t happen. She revealed that the network’s offer to her was far less than what other cast members were being offered, which led her to push for everyone to receive equal pay under a “favored nations” deal.

“Bravo put out a story that I was asking for a million dollars an episode. They wanted to make me look bad, which wasn’t nice,” Jill explained.

She also shared how Luann de Lesseps had tried to convince her to participate, suggesting they pitch the show as a season of Ultimate Girls Trip instead. However, the show moved forward without her, leaving Jill feeling snubbed.

“They wanted to punish me, so they didn’t invite me,” Jill said candidly. “But really, the punishment was for the fans.”

Looking ahead, Jill has made one thing clear: “I will never do a television show that I don’t have control over again.”

Even though Jill Zarin is no longer on television, she has stayed busy with her entrepreneurial ventures. She has a number of products on the market, including her Jill Zarin Home collection, and she has been developing a new candle for the past few years. While her time on RHONY may be in the past, Jill continues to build her brand and stay connected with fans in new and exciting ways.