When I Grow Up, I Want To Be Bethenny Frankel

July 7, 2010 11:00 am     Posted in Entertainment, Reality  Charlsie Niemiec g+ page


By Charlsie Niemiec

Bravo’s collection of Real Housewives has contributed many things to pop culture, such as the infamous New Jersey table flip, the term “prostitution whore,” multiple face-lifts and boob jobs (I’m looking at you Orange County!), and who can forget the song “Tardy for the Party”? Through all the drama though, one strong willed woman has truly climbed to the top – The Real Housewives of New York’s Bethenny Frankel.

The fast talking, quick witted, and always opinionated Bethenny first appeared on the Real Housewives as the only single lady looking for love, although skeptical about it from the get-go. More focused on her career and becoming a better version of herself, Bethenny stood out from the beginning as being an independent woman who wouldn’t stop until she got what she wanted. What a change in comparison to the rest of the housewives!

By the third season of the Real Housewives of New York, viewers got to see Bethenny in an entirely different light. She went from lonely career woman to a flourishing force to be reckoned with. While the majority of the Housewife characters spent the season arguing and stirring up drama amongst each other, Bethenny was constantly working her ass off on her multiple book deals, her “SkinnyGirl” brand, and her budding romance with her now husband, Jason Hoppy. She even found out that she was pregnant!

Now, with her new show on Bravo Bethenny Getting Married? featuring her marriage and pregnancy, it seems like Bethenny truly is sitting on top of the world. With the ultimate success in her public career life and her new private ventures, it seems like Bethenny has found a way to balance the best of both worlds – being a serious business entrepreneur while still managing to be a dedicated wife and mother, all while remaining true to the brand she created.

Media today rarely highlights success that women obtain in their careers, and it’s even less likely for the media to celebrate a woman who has everything they could aspire for. In a world of Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears always being put under a negative spotlight, it is sometimes hard to remember that women are out making a name for themselves every day.

For example, Bethenny has shown that her hardwork has truly paid off. In the last two years, she has published two New York Times best selling books: Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting and The SkinnyGirl Dish: Easy Recipes for Your Naturally Thin Life. She has been featured on three seasons of The Real Housewives of New York, as well as her own exercise DVD Body by Bethenny. She has even created an audio book this past year! With these accomplishments, it’s no wonder Bravo offered her a show all her own.

Through everything though, it seems like Bethenny hasn’t compromised herself, showing that hard work actually pays off, instead of taking the easy way out. (She could have easily just settled for her fame on the Real Housewives, but instead decided to make a name for herself.) Remaining steadfast in getting exactly what she wants, Bethenny shows young women that a little bit of effort and a whole lot of hard work truly pays off – and with today’s economic climate and negative female media attention, that’s a positive thing to see.

So, when I grow up … I want to be my own version of Bethenny Frankel, because with all her accomplishments, her blunt wit, and her you-can-have-it-all attitude, who wouldn’t want to be?

23 Comments on "When I Grow Up, I Want To Be Bethenny Frankel"

  1. Alison says:
    Wed, 7th Jul 201010:34 am 

    Anybody who is willing to be on the "Real Housewives" is a downright idiot. No exceptions. Bethenny may be better than the others, but eh, she's still just as catty and fake.

  2. Shaye says:
    Wed, 7th Jul 201010:34 am 

    Great piece. You're right…young women don't have much else to look up to besides Lindsay Lohan and Snookie. I'm glad Bethenny has shown us that it is possible to have fame and success tied to hard work.

  3. Charlsie - Hollins U says:
    Wed, 7th Jul 20102:35 pm 

    I don't necessarily think that just because someone is on "Real Housewives" they are an idiot. In fact, I think they are smart because it has brought a lot of publicity to these women and their career ventures — whether they do something in the public eye or not. I think they all going into it knowing that drama will ensue, but that is to be expected. I personally think that Bethenny stands out because she really came into her own on the show and now she's sailing her on ship, and I think it's truly positive to see a woman kicking ass and taking names — instead of sitting back and spending her time wasting life away.

  4. ic says:
    Wed, 14th Jul 20107:43 am 

    OMG, this Bethenny woman is so disgusting looking on the promo that is playing on BRAVO. I guess shes at the beach with her husband, but Holy crap man eewwww . I cant believe that BRAVO would have such Stupid, Lowlife characters on t.v.!!! Can't you people see that this is what your kids are watching and those are the TRASH like role models that they want to be like. What a shame that what used to be prestige driven network has become one for mediocre people with no class, taste and education..

  5. Cara says:
    Sat, 17th Jul 201010:16 am 

    Wait, what is she famous for?

  6. nicole says:
    Tue, 27th Jul 20109:04 am 

    i would want similar success, but i would never want to be her. maybe you forgot "like" ?

  7. Adair says:
    Fri, 30th Jul 20105:52 am 

    So all of us out there that want to be famous, get on tv and trash and use your father until he is dead, then trash your mother and blame everything that ever happen to you on your horrible life. I am so tired of hearing about her terrible childhood and that she was raised by wolves. Please stop, compared to most abused or neglected children, she had it ok. I am not saying she had Ozzie and Harriet , but most of us didnt, and were in situations so much worse. Stop the whining ,stop blaming the parents and FORGIVE or you will never feel better.

    And fire your therapist, he should have told you this.

  8. Paula says:
    Fri, 30th Jul 20105:53 am 

    You couldn't have said it better: Bethenny is a true role model. While some perceive her as "snarky", she has a wonderful, warm heart, and her sometimes snippy statements come out because her mind works so quickly. She is really a cool chick who has it all: brains, style, wit, compassion, and more talents than I can mention. Rather than spending all her time in the Hamptons getting her picture taken, or merely putting her name on other people's creations, (i.e., owl & feather jewelry, face creams, sheets, or ghost-written books), she does it all herself. And by the way, K, she's a fabulous chef! Bethenny Getting Married? has touched a lot of people's hearts, because for once, Bravo is airing something "Real".

  9. Cali girl says:
    Fri, 30th Jul 20106:28 am 

    Hey at least her house isn't in foreclosure and her financial house is in order. A lot of the other housewives are jealous of her. The troll from New Jersey copied the title of her book, skinny italian, the nut from New York believes she is only a cook and not a chef, and the fame whore from New York thought she could turn the tables and make everyone hate her because she wasn't paying enough attention to her and Bethenny wanted her to get a hobby.

  10. bob viner says:
    Tue, 3rd Aug 20101:15 pm 

    bethanny………you should post a picture of your new baby

  11. Shelly says:
    Fri, 6th Aug 20107:03 pm 

    Your role model is a college drop-out with a silicone rack and a toilet mouth who had both her books ghosted? Who coasted on

    Daddy's fame and money and bragged about being the world's worst golddigger and a runaway bride. Who dumped on her mother so she could get the cover of People Magazine. Who cries about being the child of an alcoholic while peddling mixed drinks. And let's not mention her peeing on camera twice and discussing her sex life within earshot of her mother-in-law.

    Turn off the TV, read some books and go meet some women who are doctors and lawyers who have actual accomplishments under their belt apart from being Paris Hilton's babysitter and appearing on three reality shows.

  12. Jenna says:
    Thu, 12th Aug 20103:52 pm 

    Shelly – while I would normally agree with your viewpoint, that there are much more courageous and heroic women in this world to to be admiring… why and how do you know so much about Bethenny? I would venture to guess you are a fan of the show??? ;O

  13. Missy Banks says:
    Sat, 14th Aug 20103:30 pm 

    I agree with Bethenny being a great role model because- she worked very, very hard to get where she is today. And most people do not see just how much she worked before she was even on housewives, HW was just a stepping stone and got her more notorioty for the things she was doing aleady.

    You don't hear her mom denying anything do you? If my mom was a mean crappy parent , darn right I would air it too. I agree bethenny has done well for herself and is going to be a great mom and wife and for those who do not like her blunt witt, at least she is being honest and not fake!

  14. Juls says:
    Sun, 15th Aug 20108:08 pm 

    I at first thought that the real housewives were crazy, until I realized, that I was watching the darn shows far too much. I understand that some of these woman are truly not worth watching and a big waste of time. However BF seems to have found some peace and clarity along the way. Good for her. I wish that other than haring a same last name, I had half her balls.

    J. Frankel

  15. Courtney says:
    Wed, 18th Aug 20107:37 am 

    @Adair…Your statements are invalid. It's not always forgivness that will bring closure. Sometimes in rare situations forgivness is not possible. Some people take their negative energy and turn it into success. Which is what Bethenny has done. Therapists are not there to tell you exacly what to do, but are there to help you make decisions, WHATEVER they may be. They will help you weigh the consequences of each outcome, and help you move on with the one you think would suit you best. They are there to listen and sort through your problmes, not to tell you every stinkin step to make.

    Bethenny is the most positive cast member of any "Housewives" season. She knows what she wants and makes it happen.If anyone is going to look up to one of these ladies, she would be the best choice. I'm not saying shes a one woman power house, she has help, but she wouldn't have all those people helping her if she wasn't a good person, They would have all quit, and sold their stories to the Enquirer by now. All in all, stop hating people. Don't be jealous, be a go getter. Don't pout. If you want it, make it happen.

  16. Judy says:
    Sat, 28th Aug 20102:51 pm 

    I cannot understand why these mean and vicious people here just want to hate and put down someone just because she's getting good things in her life and she deserves it. Most of these posts sound ignorant, jealous, mean spirited and down right nasty. Why do you post about a person on tv if you think its so horrible. Go watch the Disney channel.

  17. Jason says:
    Sat, 11th Aug 20124:59 pm 

    Bethanny’s new book is riddled with brelordine eating disorders. For example, go out to dinner, order a steak, and then only eat 3 bites. Eat a bagle, only a quarter then take out the inside bread. Really? That’s stupid and obsessive. Bethanny is naturally skinny because she has an eating disorder. She is not an expert on nutrition, she is just a reality tv star who happens to cook, cook then not eat it.I’ve read your blog for a long time now, and I think this is one of the most poorest entries you’ve written.Bethanny Frankel is not a role model rather someone that needs help.

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