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Andy Cohen Almost Didn’t Cast Bethenny Frankel, Kim Zolciak, or Lisa Rinna as Housewives

Andy Cohen Almost Didn't Cast Bethenny Frankel
Andy Cohen almost didn't cast Bethenny Frankel on The Real Housewives of New York City.

Clearly he’d had too much vino! Andy Cohen is the Housewives whisperer of Bravo, but his choices weren’t always spot-on. In an upcoming special interview with Bethenny Frankel, the Watch What Happens Live host, 46, admitted that he almost turned down three very important ladies in Housewives history: Frankel herself, Kim Zolciak, and Lisa Rinna

Related: PHOTOS: Before they were Real Housewives

“I was initially wrong about you,” he told Frankel on the special (via Bravo’s The Dish). “Because I, initially, when I saw the first casting of New York, was reticent about you because you had been on The Apprentice. And I thought that that was weird at the time. Isn’t that funny?”

Related: PHOTOS: Former Real Housewives stars

Cohen went on to note that the now-returned Real Housewives of New York City star was “born to be a Housewife.” 

And he also revealed that we almost never met the wig-wearing mama of six, Zolciak, on The Real Housewives of Atlanta

Kim Zolciak and Lisa Rinna
Kim Zolciak and Lisa Rinna almost weren’t cast on the Real Housewives thanks to Andy Cohen.

“I didn’t get Kim Zolciak in the initial casting of Atlanta,” he said, adding that she reminded him of a country singer. “I did not get… We have this white woman. I just didn’t get it.”

Related: PHOTOS: Real Housewives' pets

As for the most recent Real Housewives of Beverly Hills add, Rinna, Cohen initially rejected her. 

“You know Lisa Rinna was on the first casting tape for Beverly Hills,” he noted. “In the first season of Beverly Hills, I thought ‘I don’t see it. It’s weird. It’s not what this show is.’ But then last year I wanted her on.” And now Amsterdam will never be the same. 

Related: PHOTOS: Real Housewives' weddings

Tell Us: Are you glad Andy decided to cast Bethenny, Kim, and Lisa?

Watch What Happens Live: Bethenny Turns The Tables airs on May 26 at 10 p.m. ET on Bravo.

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