Carole Radziwill returns to RHONY after eight years, sets conditions with Andy Cohen

Carole Radziwill is teasing what fans can expect from her return to RHONY. 

The former ABC News journalist, who appeared on the show from seasons 5 through 10, revealed in a New York Times interview that she negotiated the terms of her comeback carefully.

“To go back to something that I was such a big part of, you know, is a bit of a risk for me,” Radziwill, 62, admitted. She shared that she asked executive producer Andy Cohen if she could “film as much or as little as I want,” a request he approved.

Andy Cohen, 57, expressed his excitement about her return, telling the outlet, “My pitch was essentially to join us in a way that should be light, fun, additive to the show. And, hopefully, somehow, to her life.”

Radziwill departed RHONY in 2018 following a public falling out with Cohen, though the two reconciled last year, with Radziwill making a surprise appearance on his talk show in August 2025.

Her return comes amid renewed public attention, including chatter about her past friendship with Ghislaine Maxwell and the FX series Love Story: JFK Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, inspired by the lives of her late husband Anthony Radziwill’s family. 

Reflecting on navigating public scrutiny, Radziwill credited advice from her mother-in-law:

“She knew that part of being very, very public and very famous, like she was, was that people are going to misunderstand, and you had to be okay with that,” Radziwill said. 

“For a very, very long time, I was not okay with it, but now I am. It’s a really hard place to get to, but once you’re there, it’s like a peaceful feeling. You’re going to be misunderstood, and it’s okay.”

Bravo officially announced her return earlier this month. Radziwill will appear as a “friend-of” for Season 16, alongside returning season 15 cast members Erin Lichy, Jessel Taank, and Sai De Silva, as well as newcomers Erika Hammond, Daisy Toye, and Hailey Glassman.

“Friends on the Housewives appear in various episodes throughout the season, but aren’t considered a core cast member,” the network explained in an Instagram post celebrating Radziwill’s comeback.

Radziwill noted that her decision to return felt right after attending BravoCon 2025 last November. “I thought when I left eight years ago, I could go quietly into the night,” she said. “There is a sisterhood here. I might not have a lot in common with all the women. Some I’ve met for the first time tonight. But there’s a sisterhood on the stage. It’s really powerful.”

Radziwill’s return marks a significant moment for RHONY fans eager to see her back on the Bravo screen, bringing both nostalgia and fresh dynamics to the upcoming season.