Bethenny Frankel

N THE HISTORY OF REALITY TV, BETHENNY FRANKEL IS UP THERE WITH the genre’s pioneers. While most people know her from Bravo’s she actually got her start as the runner-up on produced by Mark Burnett. Now, nearly 16 years later, she (April 29), a reality series where contestants will compete to work for Frankel’s lifestyle brand Skinnygirl. “The thing that these people are competing for are all real. I need this person.” And it’s going to take someone unique. Frankel’s decision to leave wasn’t easy. “I never really had a big road map. I just make decisions with gut instinct.” She says the show can be a double-edged sword. “If I do something right, I’m a humanitarian, philanthropist, mogul businesswoman with a $100 million business. If I do something wrong, I’m a nasty housewife.” But with her podcast and Skinnygirl, it’s clear Frankel isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.