Bethenny Frankel Calls Jill Zarin ‘A Survivor’

Bethenny Frankel is taking the high road in the most recent “Real Housewives” alumni war of words.

Recently, her former “New York City” co-star, Jill Zarin, claimed responsibility for discovering Bethenny for Bravo, as the brunette reality star gears up to move on with Season 3 of her spin-off show, “Bethenny Ever After,” on February 20 at 9 PM EST/PST. But, when given the opportunity to hit back – a reporter at Saturday’s Television Critics Association Winter Session asked Bethenny if she had any advice for Jill, who was axed from the upcoming “RHONYC” cast — the new mom took the high road.

“Jill Zarin is definitely a survivor and she is definitely well to do and I don’t think she’s worried about finding a job,” Bethenny said. “It’s difficult… She was on the show for years… In many of the [Real Housewives] cities people are only on for one or two seasons. It just happens they make it a little fresher and, I’m sure she’ll find what exactly she’s looking for.”

Bethenny said she can understand that Jill might be a hurt by being cut from “RHONYC,” while watching the Skinnygirl move on.

“It probably just stings a little bit, it’s a little bit difficult and she has her own way of dealing with it,” Bethenny said. “I’m sure it’s difficult a little bit for her to watch what’s going on for me.”

As for Bethenny’s own difficulties, including ones in her marriage to Jason Hoppy, she’ll be sharing them in the new season of “Bethenny Ever After.”

“I just turned 41, and to be perfectly honest, I unintentionally crammed everything in. I got pregnant, I got married… and I sold my business, or part of my business, and now we’re just settling into what married life really is, without the excitement of the wedding and the baby and we come from totally different backgrounds and we’re going through it. I’m in therapy,” Bethenny said. “I’ve always been good at business, but I always struggled with relationships based on my background. And we kind of get into that this season.“