The Real Housewives of New Jersey star Jackie Goldschneider is calling out Bethenny Frankel’s Skinnygirl brand for profiting from, and according to her, perpetuating the notion that a thin female physique is the ideal body type.
Jackie has been extremely open about her lifelong battle with an eating disorder. On Monday, she attended a live taping of Page Six’s Virtual Reali-Tea Live podcast in New York City, where she sat down and slammed the RHONY alum’s brand.
“Bethenny has Skinnygirl, and I’ve got a very strong opinion on this one because I say, ‘F–k marketing skinny,’” Jackie said.
“I’m sick of f–king marketing skinny. I don’t want to drink something because it’s going to keep me skinny, so f–k you, Bethenny. F–k your skinny brand. That’s how I really feel.”
When reached out for comment, Bethenny did not respond directly. Instead, she went through her rep, who stated that Bethenny has “personal experience” with eating disorders. She even claimed that Jackie herself has reached out to Bethenny multiple times. However, she’s never heard the RHONJ star’s strong opinions on the subject.
“Jackie has reached out to Bethenny and corresponded several times, so it’s interesting that she didn’t reach out there. She is very engaged and connected to her audience. Bethenny wishes Jackie well on her personal and business journey!” Bethenny’s rep, Jill Fritzo, relayed.
Bethenny has previously defended her choice of branding, and she said that she intentionally chose the Skinnygirl name, calling it “aspirational.” She said that it “accentuates a positive state of mind” for women of “all ages, races, and sizes [who] love that.”
Season 12 of The Real Housewives of New Jersey saw Jackie reveal more regarding her struggles with body image and anorexia. The show followed her closely as she began seeking treatment for her illness.
“I have expanded to a team, instead of just the one therapist,” Jackie told Page Six back in April. “So, I speak to my therapist twice a week, I speak to a medical nutritionist once a week and I have a women’s wellness physician.”
Jackie has previously stated that she has “put on weight” following the emotional past season of RHONJ, but the daily struggle is still very real and present in her life.
“I thought I would just start eating more and everything would come together, but there’s been a lot of hurdles for me, so I’m definitely, like, well on my way, a thousand times better than I was last year, but I do have issues,” she told the outlet over the summer.
