Bethenny Frankel Fires Back at Joy Behar’s Criticism on The View

In a fiery response that has captured the attention of fans and media alike, former Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel hit back at The View co-host Joy Behar after Behar made a remark about Frankel’s appearance during a recent episode of the daytime talk show. The heated exchange began when Frankel, 54, shared her experience walking in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit runway show, discussing the glam process that took place before the event. Behar’s comment, however, quickly turned the situation sour.

Bethenny Frankel, a former “Real Housewives of New York” star, and Joy Behar have traded barbs after Behar took aim at Frankel during an episode of “The View.” (Left: (Photo by Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated), Right:  (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images))

The Clash: Frankel vs. Behar

The controversy started when The View aired a segment featuring Frankel’s comments about the runway show. Frankel had explained that the women walking in the event, including herself, underwent significant styling and preparation, including the use of professional glam teams to achieve their polished looks. Behar, who was responding to Frankel’s comments, remarked, “I appreciate her candor, but her boobs are still fake.”

Frankel was quick to respond, posting a video on her TikTok to set the record straight. “These are a lift, from like 20 years ago, maybe 15, 20 years ago,” she said, referencing Behar’s comments about her breast augmentation. “This is actually a lift, Joy.” Frankel continued to explain that the real message she was trying to send was about women of a certain age living their lives with joy and without shame.

She went on to call out Behar for what she saw as a malicious jab, saying, “I actually feel sorry for Joy that she hasn’t lived her life, or doesn’t seem to be living her life, with any joy. You have to be really miserable to take a swipe at something that is literally self-deprecating.”

Frankel’s Rebuke of Behar’s Attitude Toward Older Women

Bethenny Frankel’s rebuttal took a personal turn as she reflected on how women of a certain age are often unfairly portrayed in society. Frankel emphasized that the Sports Illustrated runway show, while glamorous, was a demonstration that women her age—like herself—are capable of living vibrant, fulfilling lives. “Sadly, Joy is painting the picture of the older, seemingly miserable, washed-up woman that all of us are trying to show that we aren’t,” Frankel said. “You keep being happy, you keep living your life, you keep being the example of a woman of a certain age that you would be proud of, and we have women like Joy Behar that remind us of who we don’t want to be.”

Frankel accused Behar of kicking someone when they were down, pointing out that her original comments were self-deprecating in nature, meant to highlight the hard work that goes into presenting polished images in the entertainment industry. “I’m not here for politics, I’m here for principle,” Frankel said, focusing on the deeper message behind her remarks, which were about the reality of image-making in Hollywood and the expectations placed on women.

Joy Behar attends a discussion of the View’s “Behind the Table” podcast at 92NY on October 08, 2024 in New York City.  (Gary Gershoff/Getty Images)

Audience Reactions and the Growing Backlash

As Frankel’s video went viral, reactions flooded social media. Many applauded Frankel’s confidence and bold response to Behar’s criticism, calling her comments a much-needed stand for women. Fans of Frankel praised her for defending herself and, more broadly, women in general. “Finally, someone who speaks the truth,” one viewer tweeted. Others echoed Frankel’s sentiment, saying that Behar’s comment reflected the toxic attitude towards older women and body image in the media.

But not everyone was on Frankel’s side. Some of Behar’s fans and critics of Frankel’s response accused her of not accepting constructive criticism. Others pointed out that Frankel had a tendency to engage in drama for attention. Despite the mixed reactions, the majority of responses appeared to support Frankel’s position, especially given the broader cultural context of ageism and unrealistic beauty standards imposed on women.

A Reflection on Body Image and Industry Realities

In her initial comments on The View, Frankel had spoken about the reality of the fashion industry, where every model’s look is carefully curated with the help of professionals. She explained that it wasn’t just about the models’ natural beauty; rather, it was about the hard work that goes into creating those polished images—something that was often invisible to the public. “Every woman that was with me on that stage did not look that way two hours prior, okay? It was everybody’s job, and that’s what goes on in Hollywood and the entertainment industry,” Frankel had said.

Her remarks resonated with many viewers who understood the work that goes into creating the idealized images of celebrities, from makeup and hairstyling to body contouring and lighting. The conversation around this incident quickly shifted to a broader discussion about the pressures on women to conform to an idealized image, especially in the public eye.

Bethenny Frankel at the premiere of “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans” held at MOMA on January 23, 2024 in New York City.  (John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images)

As of now, neither Joy Behar nor The View has publicly responded to Frankel’s remarks. But the incident has undoubtedly sparked new conversations about how women in the entertainment industry are treated and how older women, in particular, are portrayed in the media. Frankel’s stance on image, aging, and body positivity has positioned her as an advocate for women of all ages and backgrounds who are often marginalized by the beauty industry’s rigid standards.

The situation has also highlighted the ongoing divide in how celebrity figures and public personalities handle criticism. Frankel’s refusal to back down from Behar’s comment has only made her more relatable to her supporters, while some critics argue that it was an overreaction.

Ultimately, the drama surrounding Frankel and Behar has stirred up broader conversations about the pressures placed on women in the public eye and the complex intersection of body image, ageism, and the pursuit of authenticity in today’s media landscape. The fallout from this exchange is likely to continue as both women navigate the cultural conversations that this confrontation has sparked.