‘Real Housewives of NYC’ Adds Sixth Player

Author and Fashion Editor Kelly Bensimon Joins the Cast

By Larry Barrett -- Multichannel News, 7/24/2008 12:30:00 PM

Bravo Thursday announced that author and fashion editor Kelly Bensimon will join the five original housewives for the second season of its popular reality show The Real Housewives of New York City.

Bensimon (pictured) joins returning housewives Alex, Bethenny, Jill, Luann and Ramona for the second season which is already in production. The series follows the “busy lives of everyone’s favorite Manhattan women as they juggle their careers, children, summer in the Hamptons and their jam-packed social calendars,” Bravo officials said.

The show’s season-one finale garnered 1.1 million adults 18-to-49 and 1.4 million total viewers, up 33% (1.1 million versus 796,000) and 32% (1.4 million versus 1.1 million) respectively from the penultimate episode.

Designer, model, author and fashion editor Kelly Bensimon is a staple on the Manhattan social scene. A columnist for Hamptons Magazine, she is also editor at large for Hamptons, Gotham and LA Confidential magazines. In addition to her magazine work, Bensimon has written three books on fashion, and also created her own jewelry line that is currently sold in top Manhattan boutiques. She splits her time with her two daughters between New York City and East Hampton.

“I am flattered by the opportunity to be on The Real Housewives of New York City. I feel it's a great way to showcase my personal and professional life,” Bensimon said in a statement.

The Real Housewives of New York City is produced by Ricochet Television Inc. Jennifer O'Connell, Nick Emmerson and Matthew Anderson serve as executive producers.