Bethenny Frankel got ‘inspo’ from Oprah, Diane Sawyer while prepping for Raquel Leviss interview

Reality TV

Bethenny Frankel looked to some of the greatest interviewers of all time for inspiration when preparing for her controversial sit-down with Raquel Leviss.

The former “Real Housewives of New York City” star shared a behind-the-scenes video on YouTube Thursday that showed her getting ready for the bombshell podcast taping in Arizona and scanning her notes.

Among other documents in her “Prep” folder, Frankel’s schedule featured a rundown of the day, including a photo shoot with Leviss at 11 a.m. PT.

“Photos (Inspo: Oprah/ Diane Sawyer Style),” the bullet point read.

The schedule also included individual time slots for Frankel, 52, and Leviss, 28, to get glammed up before having a “preamble” and then a “main meet” for the interview.

Notably, from 12:45 to 1:20 p.m. PT, the ex-“Housewife” made sure to fit in some time for a “Post-Mortem Rant After Convo.”


A screenshot of Bethenny Frankel's notes
Bethenny Frankel revealed she drew inspiration from Oprah Winfrey and Diane Sawyer while preparing for her interview with Raquel Leviss.
bethennyfrankel/Instagram

Raquel Leviss and Bethenny Frankel sitting together
Frankel’s schedule stated that she wanted photos that looked similar to ones Winfrey and Sawyer have previously done.
bethennyfrankel/Instagram

Oprah Winfrey and Diane Sawyer
The pair are widely considered to be two of the greatest interviewers of all time.
Getty Images for AFI

Another packet Frankel showed was titled “What Is Emotional Abuse?” She took a yellow highlighter and highlighted a thick section of a paragraph.

In August, the Skinnygirl founder conducted Leviss’ first public podcast appearance since the “Vanderpump Rules” alum was caught having a months-long affair with her co-star Ariana Madix’s longtime boyfriend, Tom Sandoval.

In addition to Leviss sharing some details from her dalliance with Sandoval — which fans have dubbed Scandoval — she made several other allegations, including that she has not “seen a single penny” from Bravo.


A screenshot of Bethenny Frankel's notes
The “Real Housewives of New York City” alum showed a printed article titled “What Is Emotional Abuse?”
bethennyfrankel/Instagram

However, an insider told Page Six that the former beauty pageant queen was already making over $350,000 last season with her $20,000-per-episode contract.

Leviss also confirmed that her time on the reality show had come to an end after the network would not pay her the same amount as Sandoval, 41, and Madix, 38.

Leviss noted that she once “considered” returning to “Pump Rules,” but she ultimately decided she could not “endure that emotional abuse any longer.”


Bethenny Frankel and Raquel Leviss sitting together
The former “Vanderpump Rules” star joined Frankel to tell her side of her affair with Tom Sandoval.
bethennyfrankel/Instagram

Madix later addressed the interview and slammed Frankel — who admitted to not watching “Vanderpump Rules” — for not “know[ing] what the f–k” she was talking about.

“Bethenny actually upset me more in the things that were said,” the Something About Her co-founder said in the Aug. 25 episode of her co-star Scheana Shay’s podcast, “Scheananigans.”


Follow Page Six’s coverage of ‘Scandoval


Madix called Frankel’s comments “very hurtful,” especially after the “Just B” host downplayed the affair since the Lifetime actress and Sandoval were not married.

“In many states, [he was my common law spouse],” Madix explained. “I find that hurtful in regards to other women in relationships who don’t have children. Maybe they can’t have children or don’t want children or don’t want to get married.


A selfie of Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss
Leviss detailed her months-long dalliance with her co-star in the tell-all.
Instagram/@raquelleviss

Raquel Leviss and Ariana Madix posing together
Sandoval’s ex Ariana Madix later said the interview was “hurtful.”
Instagram/@raquelleviss

“None of those people’s relationships are less meaningful because of that. She should know better than to say that about anybody.”

Despite all the backlash from fans and Bravolebrities, Frankel has doubled down on how “happy” she feels about the conversation.

“We did exactly what we wanted to do,” she said on Aug. 24.

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