Bethenny Frankel Hires Power Attorneys to Fight for Reality TV Star Protections: 'This Is Going to Be a War'

Bethenny Frankel is serious about securing protections for reality TV stars.

On Friday (July 28), Variety reported that the 52-year-old Real Housewives of New York alum has hired two highly sought-after power attorneys to help launch her fight to protect reality TV stars from exploitation from networks and studios.

Keep reading to find out more…

Bryan Freedman, who was hired alongside Mark Geragos, told the outlet that he had heard from approximately 50 reality show cast members who believe they had been “used and unfairly” treated by networks and streamers.

“Something has to change because the current system is broken,” Mark added.

Bethenny‘s announcement comes amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes. Reality TV is still able to be produced during the double strike, with most networks planning to rely heavily on their unscripted content during the fall. But Bethenny has argued that reality stars should negotiate for their rights as well.

“I think this is going to be just the start of the truth telling about what’s really going on,” Bryan said. “I’ve met with a lot of people who told me a lot of stories. This is going to end up being a war and I’m going to lead the war.”

“I’m collecting stories that violate OSHA [Occupational Safety and Health Administration] standards, that violate workplace safety regulations,” he continued. “There is case law out there on some of this fraudulent stuff and waiving future harm.”

“It’s no different than other grievances that are going on right now like when you look at the actors and writers strikes,” Mark noted. “They sign one thing but they didn’t sign on for everything else they’re being exploited for.”

“I know I’m right, and I never know I’m right,” Bethenny told Variety. “I’m not, ironically, a know-it-all. I love crowdsourcing, which I’m still doing. But I often second guess myself. But right now, I’m shocked by the people in the industry that would usually look at me and say to me, ‘What are you doing? Don’t do it.’ But no one is saying that right now. They are saying, ‘Keep going.’”

Earlier this week, Bethenny got candid about her engagement to Paul Bernon. Find out what she said here.