Reality bites! Real Housewives of New York City alum Alex McCord slammed the series’ stars in a new interview and questioned why they would choose to engage in the drama if it put their family life at risk.
Simon van Kempen and Alex McCord
All the women who stayed on the show have lost their marriages and their family,” the TV personality, 42, said during a Tuesday, July 5, appearance on Australia’s Sunrise morning show. “Why would you ever give up your children and your husband for crazy women?”
As viewers have witnessed, the Manhattan-based reality show has documented the demise of several failed marriages over the last few years.
Countess LuAnn de Lesseps split from husband Count Alexandre de Lesseps in 2009, while Bethenny Frankel is still fighting to end her divorce from Jason Hoppy. (The couple wed in 2010 but called in quits in 2013.) More recently, Bravo newbie Jules Wainstein pulled the plug on her marriage with hubby Michael Wainstein after learning of his alleged affair with another woman.
Ramona Singer — who ended her 20-year union with husband Mario Singer in 2015 — recently spoke with Us Weekly about how the show can easily take a toll on one’s marriage.
“I mean, listen, let’s face it: Half the marriages [on Real Housewives] do end in divorce,” the Ramona Pinot Grigio founder, 59, told Us on June 15. “And they end in divorce for a lot of assorted reasons.”
Simon Van Kempen, Alex McCord and their sons
McCord, who exited RHONY in 2011 and moved to husband Simon Van Kempen’s native Australia with their two sons, Francois, 12, and Johan, 10, also suggested that the wives’ lives are not as fabulous as producers would like you to believe.
“The funny thing is when I look back and remember the parties and events, and they look so glamorous but they never are,” the mom of two shared during her chat on Sunrise. “It’s not very glam in real life. Anyone who has had that life would understand.”
Since saying goodbye to the Big Apple in favor of a lifestyle Down Under, McCord has never felt more fulfilled. “We’re now five minutes from all of Simon’s family,” she enthused on Tuesday. “I’m so happy we’re here.”
The Real Housewives of New York City airs on Bravo next month.
