Why did Heather Thomson quit filming for 'RHONY' Season 13? Leah McSweeney calls her 'Karen' amid catfight
Fans of Bravo's hit 'Real Housewives of New York City' were super excited to see their favorite former housewife Heather Thomson's return on the show as the friend of the housewives. Unfortunately, it seems like Heather's stint on the show was cut short thanks to a bitter fight with Leah McSweeney.
According to reports, Heather was roped in after she seemed very excited about new cast member Eboni Williams. So, the production managed to get Heather in by having the OG housewife, Ramona Singer, invite Heather to the Hamptons trip. Although we don't have the complete details of what went down in the trip, it seems like things didn't go too well, for Heather quit filming for the show after returning from the trip.
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A source reportedly told US Weekly about a 'messy exchange' between Leah and Heather that might have pushed the former housewife to quit filming. "Heather’s popular history with the old cast and the excitement about new cast member Eboni Williams prompted production to maneuver her return." "Shortly after she arrived, Leah [McSweeney] and Heather butt heads. Their exchanges got messy and included some name-calling," added the source.
Heather, who starred on 'RHONY' from Seasons 5 to 7, left the show in 2015. But since her exit, she has made brief cameos in various seasons. Her latest was during season 12 at Dorinda Medley's home. This was also when Heather met Leah for the first time. The duo reportedly had a pleasant interaction. So, understandably the former housewife was 'stunned' by Leah's sudden change of behavior at the Hamptons.
The source told the publication, "Heather could see Leah was acting up for the cameras and using behavior she considered demeaning and exploitative and frankly, crossed a line. Heather wanted no part of Leah so after she left that weekend Heather had no interest in continuing the season at all and stopped filming.”
Fans got a peek of the heated exchange between the ladies on the season's trailer released by the network. In the trailer, Leah can be seen calling Heather a 'Karen'. It's not just Leah who seems to have had an issue with Heather, according to reports the other housewives especially Sonja Morgan and LuAnn de Lesseps, and even new housewife Eboni weren't able to get along with Heather. Page Six revealed that a source told them, "Heather was kind of like a Debbie Downer and plus, no one trusted her because of everything she talked about in the press after she left the show." We will have to watch the season to see how things play out between Heather and the other housewives.
'Real Housewives of New York City' Season 13 is set to premiere on May 4 at 9 pm ET on Bravo.