After a 24-hour contract dispute with Bravo, the Real Housewives of New York City cast has agreed to return for a sixth season, sources tell Us Weekly. Original cast member Ramona Singer was the first to reach an agreement with the show's production company, according to an insider. Sonja Morgan and Aviva Drescher followed suit, while Carole Radziwill and Heather Thomson waited until late Friday night to make a decision. Countess LuAnn de Lesseps will also be returning, according to Deadline.
With its six cast members in place, the network is eager to begin production on new episodes. TMZ and The New York Post's Page Six had previously claimed that the women banded together in an effort to increase their earnings. Though Bravo chose not to comment on the claims, sources claimed the network threatened to clean house if the women didn't reach an agreement by May 10.
Radziwill tweeted about the stressful contract negotiations late Friday night. "I still haven't decided. Payscale is ridiculous and it irks me to be given ultimatum," the author wrote. "Just ask my last five boyfriends."
The network has yet to officially announce The Real Housewives of New York City's renewal. The show's previous cast members include Bethenny Frankel, Jill Zarin, Alex McCord, Kelly Bensimon and Cindy Barshop.
