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Bethenny Frankel Opens Up About Skinnygirl, Lost at Sea Rumors

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Heard any good Bethenny Frankel rumors lately?

The wife, mom, author, mogul and reality star has had quite the week.

Related: PHOTOS: Bethenny and other bikini-clad moms with their babies

First, she was accused of staging a "lost at sea" ordeal for her reality show Bethenny Ever After? (Late last month, she and husband Jason Hoppy were stranded on a sailboat on the open sea for 20 hours in what was intended to be an 8-hour pleasure cruise.) Days later, the Huffington Post questioned Forbes' magazine's story that Frankel's Skinnygirl brand was worth $100 million, claiming it was acquired for just $8.1 million.

"The whole thing has been really upsetting," Frankel tells Us Weekly in an exclusive chat. "You have to spend 24 hours of your life defending your honesty to your fans. [These stories are] irresponsible journalism and … a waste of your time."

Related: PHOTOS: Her awesome post-baby body

Both accusations turned out to be patently false. Bravo issued a statement about the sailing incident. "It is accurate that Bethenny, Jason and their therapist were stranded at sea when the navigation on their boat broke during a taping for [the show]," the network said.

"The Coast Guard referred a private tow vessel who eventually led their boat out. When people see the episode, they will certainly see for themselves that this was very real."

Related: PHOTOS: Bethenny and other stars who opened up about eating disorders

Forbes magazine shot down the HuffPo's $8.1 million claim in a Thursday post called, "Bethenny Frankel's Skinnygirl Deal: The Numbers Still Hold Up".  Said one financial expert: "Suffice to say, this was not an $8.1 million acquisition."

The happy mother to daughter Brynn, 17 months, became a star and successful businesswoman based on her frankness on Real Housewives of New York and her popular spinoff.

Related: PHOTOS: Inside Bethenny's yoga workout

"I never realized I would even have fans by being so honest about being single, being broke, not being like the other wealthy women I was surrounded by," she explains to Us of her single Real Housewives days.

"My entire brand is based on that [honesty]," Frankel explains. "I felt like I had a responsibility to my fans to say something."

Still, with the fracas now behind her, Frankel is happier than ever. Little Bryn, she tells Us, is "amazing!"

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