In a fiery exchange that has ignited a media storm, former Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel is clapping back — hard — at The View co-host Joy Behar after Behar mocked her runway walk during a recent fashion show appearance. What started as a sarcastic jab on national television quickly escalated into a full-blown war of words between two powerful women known for never backing down.
It all began during a segment on The View earlier this week, when Behar, 81, decided to comment on Frankel’s appearance at a New York fashion event where the entrepreneur-turned-activist strutted confidently down the runway in a bold designer ensemble. But Behar, with her usual biting humor, didn’t hold back.
“I’ve seen stiffer mannequins at Macy’s,” Behar quipped to the laughter of her co-hosts. “Bethenny looked like she was chasing a bottle of Skinnygirl down the catwalk!”
The audience chuckled, but Bethenny Frankel did not. Within hours, she took to her Instagram with a blistering video response that now has millions of views.
“Joy Behar, a woman whose name contradicts everything she stands for, decided to tear me down on live television,” Frankel began. “This is the same woman who’s built a career on cynicism and nastiness, sitting behind a desk judging other women for trying something new. I walked that runway for a charity close to my heart, not to impress an 81-year-old daytime dinosaur.”
She didn’t stop there.
“Imagine being so bitter and so empty that you find joy — pun intended — in mocking someone who’s out there supporting young designers, raising awareness, and doing something she loves,” Frankel said. “Joy, you’re a miserable, washed-up woman who hasn’t lived a single day with any real joy in decades.”
Frankel’s words struck a nerve. Social media exploded, with fans and celebrities choosing sides in what’s now being dubbed the “Frankel vs. Behar Feud.” Supporters of Frankel praised her for standing up to what they see as “mean girl energy” from The View, while others accused her of overreacting and disrespecting a TV legend.
But those who know Bethenny Frankel know this: she rarely speaks without purpose.
“This wasn’t just about a fashion show,” a source close to Frankel said. “This was about a woman who’s constantly reinventing herself, being dragged down by another woman who hasn’t evolved in decades. Bethenny isn’t here for that.”
Indeed, Frankel’s life over the last several years has been one of evolution and advocacy. She’s built a massive philanthropic empire through her BStrong foundation, delivering aid to disaster zones and speaking out on everything from women’s rights to mental health. Her business acumen, meanwhile, continues to grow as she invests in startups and leverages her brand far beyond reality TV.
So when someone like Joy Behar — a woman often criticized for her combative style — took aim at her, Frankel didn’t just defend herself. She fired a warning shot to all those who belittle women under the guise of comedy.
“Mock me all you want,” Frankel concluded in her video. “But when you’re sitting behind that desk, protected by producers and cue cards, remember that the world is changing. We’re done laughing at the expense of other women.”
So far, Behar has not issued an apology or direct response. But insiders at The View say the atmosphere was “tense” in the days following Frankel’s video, with producers reportedly asking Behar to “tone it down” as the backlash mounted.
“She lives for this kind of controversy,” one staffer noted. “But this one might have hit harder than she expected. Bethenny’s got a real platform now, and people are listening.”
In the days since, Frankel’s video has been shared by stars like Chrissy Teigen and Kelly Clarkson, who applauded her candor and refusal to let casual cruelty slide. The larger conversation, however, goes beyond two celebrities trading insults.
“What we’re really talking about here,” said feminist author Diana Morales, “is the expectation that women must tear each other down to stay relevant. Bethenny flipped the script. She called out the bullying, and whether you like her or not, that’s a powerful message.”
As of now, the feud shows no signs of cooling. But if there’s one takeaway from this high-profile clash, it’s that Bethenny Frankel is not the woman she was during her Real Housewives days — and she has no patience left for snide remarks dressed as jokes.
Joy Behar may still have her seat at the table, but Bethenny Frankel is making it clear: she’s building her own table — and everyone’s watching.
