Jill Zarin Fired From New RHONY Show After Bad Bunny Halftime Remarks
Jill Zarin has been fired from E!‘s recently greenlit reality series The Golden Life, which is set to star a few of the original Real Housewives of New York City.
Her removal from the cast comes following comments Zarin shared about Bad Bunny‘s Super Bowl Halftime Show. The former New York Housewife shared critiques for his performance in a since-deleted video, calling it “the worst halftime show ever,” continuing to slam the show for featuring mostly Spanish songs and “no white people.”
Blink49 Studios, which is set to produce the show, shared a statement with The Hollywood Reporter confirming the news: “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.”
“We all agree that it was the worst halftime show ever. And 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,” Zarin started in her video. “Quite frankly, I think him grabbing his, you know, g-area, I think it was totally inappropriate. Got all these young kids watching the Super Bowl, and he doesn’t have to be grabbing himself every five seconds. Is he so insecure? Seriously.”
She continued, “I didn’t understand — I don’t speak Spanish, I would’ve like to know the words he was saying. To me, it looked like a political statement, because there were literally no white people in the entire thing. I think it was a political statement, and I’m not taking a side one way or the other. I just do. I think it was an ICE thing.”
With Bad Bunny as headliner, Zarin said she believes “that the NFL sold out, and it’s very sad because, 75 years and, you know, shame. Shame.” She also said she “didn’t recognize” Lady Gaga and that she “had to Google her face to see who it was.” Zarin added, “At least it gave me something to do since it was so hard to watch.”
The Golden Life will star Luann de Lesseps, Ramona Singer, Kelly Bensimon and Sonja Morgan, who all previously starred in The Real Housewives of New York City. Zarin’s Sunday post swiftly went viral (and was deleted), with many stars from the Bravo universe speaking out against her comments, including her co-stars.
Dorinda Medley, who starred on RHONY and is rumored to make appearances on The Golden Life, shared her opinion on Zarin’s remarks on the Reality Checked podcast Monday. She noted, “We woke up today to Jill giving her opinion on it. 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.”
“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,” Medley continued. “I think the world has said it already, but I do not agree with any of it.”
Morgan shared an Instagram post on Monday, and without directly referencing Zarin’s comments, she wrote that she was “Celebrating with my chosen family Bad Bunny’s Grammy. While also reiterating that he’s the first Latino to win one and just showing my love for my Latin friends and supporters.”
De Lesseps, too, shyly weighed in, sharing a photo of the big screen from Bad Bunny’s halftime performance that read, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” She wrote in the caption, “Choose Love.”
During Andy Cohen’s Feb. 9 episode of his SiriusXM radio show, he lightly spoke about the controversy, noting, “In terms of Jill, just… I don’t know. You know, call E!”
The Bravo boss also addressed fellow former Housewife Taylor Armstrong, similarly condemning Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl spot. On her Instagram Story, the once Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star posted a photo of her head photoshopped onto Russell Crowe’s body in Gladiator, writing, “Were you entertained? I am embarrassed for the NFL and Apple for the Super Bowl half time show totally in Spanish with a Cuban Flag!!”
“Two people who are not employed by Bravo anymore,” Cohen said, continuing, “So just… Call E!”
