Martha Stewart reacts to ‘RHONY’ casting rumors; television personality sets the record straight

The Real Housewives of New York City may thrive on prominent personalities, but one iconic name won't join the cast soon. After weeks of fan chatter suggesting that lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart was being courted for the show's upcoming 16th season, Stewart's longtime representative, Susan Magrino, set the record straight. 

"Not Martha… She says she is not a 'Housewife,'" Magrino told Page Six on August 12. A Bravo spokesperson also confirmed that the rumors were unfounded, putting an official end to the speculation

So while Stewart, now 84, won't be tossing martinis at a Hamptons dinner party or sparring over seating charts on Bravo, her name still carries weight in the Housewives orbit.

Martha Stewart's Surprising RHONY Ties

This isn't Stewart's first brush with the Real Housewives universe. In 2017, she made headlines when she accused Luann de Lesseps' then-husband, Tom D'Agostino Jr., of never returning a pie dish he borrowed from her. It was a blink-and-you'll-miss-it pop culture moment, but it instantly cemented her as a peripheral figure in the RHONY world.

Her history with Bethenny Frankel runs even deeper. Frankel, one of the franchise's most recognizable alums, first met Stewart as a contestant on "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart." Their dynamic was complicated to say the least. Years later, Frankel recalled seeing Stewart at a party and taking a lighthearted approach to patch things up. "Martha, I'm not mad at you. You're like an ex-boyfriend that I hate, but I'm still in love with," Frankel told her. 

Does Stewart Need RHONY?

At 84, Stewart is busier than ever and isn't slowing down to join the Housewives' dinner table theatrics. She recently launched her skincare line, Elm Biosciences, alongside dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali. Stewart swears by the products, telling The Wall Street Journal, "I have used it religiously for quite a while now, and my skin is pretty fabulous." Marketed as "intentional skincare for living well and aging well," the line reflects Stewart's longstanding reputation as a tastemaker who reinvents herself while staying firmly in control of her brand.

Instead of being on the receiving end of Bravo confessionals, Stewart is steering her empire into yet another profitable lane.

RHONY Season 16 and What's Next

Bravo has yet to reveal when season 16 of RHONY will premiere. But given the buzz surrounding the rebooted cast and the ongoing speculation about surprise appearances, fans are already gearing up for another dramatic run.

So no, Martha Stewart won't be showing up at Sonja Morgan's townhouse or clinking glasses with Erin Lichy.