In a swift turn of events following an online controversy, Jill Zarin has been replaced in her anticipated television return. Zarin’s dismissal came after she made disparaging comments about Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime performance, citing a lack of diversity in the show.
Initially, Zarin was set to feature in E!’s upcoming docuseries, The Golden Life, which aims to reunite the original cast members of The Real Housewives of New York. The project, still in its pre-production stage, promised to bring back familiar faces including Sonja Morgan, Luann de Lesseps, Kelly Bensimon, and Ramona Singer.
However, Zarin’s recent video ranting about the halftime show led to her swift removal by the producers. Her comments, which were perceived as racially insensitive, sparked backlash and ultimately cost her the role.
According to Page Six, Dorinda Medley, another alum of The Real Housewives of New York, has been tapped to fill the vacancy left by Zarin. Medley, who enjoyed six seasons on the Bravo series, was one of the many who openly criticized Zarin’s remarks.
Now, Page Six has reported that Real Housewives Of New York alum Dorinda Medley will be taking Zarin’s spot on The Golden Life.
Medley, who appeared on RHONY for six seasons, was among the Bravo stars who publicly condemned Zarin for her halftime show comments.
Jill Zarin’s replacement has been revealed just days after she was fired from her TV comeback for her racist rant about Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show; seen in 2024
She slammed Bad Bunny’s performance as ‘the worst halftime show ever’ and complained about him ‘having no white people’ on the stage; Bad Bunny seen Sunday
Medley was already expected to take part in the series, sources told Page Six on Thursday.
The network was reportedly planning to announce Medley’s role in the show closer to the premiere date before they decided to have her replace Zarin as a main cast member completely, per the outlet.
Two days earlier, the E! network announced that Zarin was removed from the cast after her comments about Bad Bunny’s performance during the Super Bowl LX game, in which the Seattle Seahawks defeated New England Patriots.
On Super Bowl Sunday, she had posted a since-deleted video, in which she stated: ‘We all agree — it was the worst halftime show ever.
‘It’s 250 years that we’re celebrating right now in the United States, and I just don’t think it was appropriate to have it in Spanish.’
She also said that the performance ‘looked like a political statement, because there were literally no white people in the entire thing.’
In a statement obtained by the Daily Mail, the show’s producers, Blink49 Studios, said: ‘In light of recent public comments made by Jill Zarin, Blink49 Studios has decided not to move forward with her involvement in The Golden Life.
‘We remain committed to delivering the series in line with our company standards and values.’
Now, Page Six has reported that Real Housewives Of New York alum Dorinda Medley will be taking Zarin’s spot on E!’s The Golden Life; Medley seen in 2024
Medley, who appeared on RHONY for six seasons, was among the Bravo stars who publicly condemned Zarin for her halftime show comments; Bad Bunny seen Sunday
The lineup of confirmed cast members now includes: Luann de Lesseps, Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan, Kelly Bensimon and Medley; pictured in March 2008, the RHONY cast at the time, from left to right: Bethenny Frankel, Alex McCord, Lesseps, Singer, Zarin
Following her removal from the show, Zarin addressed the outrage and insisted she wasn’t given a chance to rectify the issue — though she notably did not actually apologize for her remarks.
‘They didn’t even give me a chance,’ she said in an interview with In Touch. ‘I took it down right away. People make mistakes. I’m human.’
Amid the fan backlash Zarin received, Medley as well as a slew of other Real Housewives had also called her out for her racist comments about Bad Bunny’s show.
While appearing on the Reality Checked podcast this week, Medley condemned her former costar’s remarks and said she ‘disagreed with absolutely everything she said.’
Medley said she was ‘horrified’ by Zarin’s comments and added that she is ‘so proud’ of Bad Bunny.
‘We woke up today to Jill giving her opinion on it,’ Medley said on the podcast episode.
‘I don’t need to tell you her opinion, but I disagree with absolutely everything she said. I don’t think you can walk away from what we had the luxury of witnessing yesterday.’
She continued: ‘The effect that it had on so many people… Especially people that are frightened right now, that are faltered. He created hope, and I felt sentimental about that Super Bowl halftime [performance]. I think the world has said it already, but I do not agree with any of it.’
Bozoma Saint John of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills mocked Zarin and wrote: ‘”I’m not taking a side,” yet [she is] very clearly taking a side. Please.
After Zarin was fired, she broke her silence and said she didn’t get the opportunity to fix her ‘mistake.’ However, she also notably did not apologize for her comments; seen in June 2022
Earlier this week, Medley said she was ‘horrified’ by Zarin’s statement and added that she is ‘so proud’ of Bad Bunny; seen in May 2024
Zarin only had the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum Brandi Glanville come to her defense; pictured in June 2022
‘I, on the other hand, LOVED Benito Bowl … for its beauty, culture, history, and message,’ she added.
The Real Housewives of Dubai star Chanel Ayan posted on social media that she was ‘seriously disgusted’ with Zarin’s comments.
The Valley’s Janet Caperna also weighed in and commented: ‘Tell me you’re racist without telling me you’re racist… YIKES!!!’
Medley, 61, previously starred on the Real Housewives of New York City from 2015 to 2020.
She was in the process of developing a new show about her gilded home, Blue Stone Manor as well as hosting her SiriusXM radio show Let’s Talk and Make It Nice.
She published Make It Nice, a memoir named after her iconic RHONY catchphrase, in 2021.
She also appeared in seasons two and four of The Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip.
