Leah McSweeney Might Not Return To RHONY. Here's Why

Leah McSweeney made a splash when she joined Real Housewives of New York for Season 12 in 2020. Fresh off the heels of Bethenny Frankel's departure, Leah came through skinny dipping, throwing tiki torches and tossing ravioli. She provided some much-need perspective in addition to ample comic relief. Considering that Tinsley Mortimer left RHONY in the middle of Season 12 and Dorinda Medley confirmed that she wouldn't be returning for Season 13, Leah has to be returning, right? Well, in September 2020, the New York Post reported that Leah is interested in a second season, but she will only come through if she gets a salary bump.

Leah reportedly received a "pathetically low" pay raise to return and she won't accept that. Reps for Bravo and Leah did not respond to the outlet's request for a comment on the reported salary negotiations. TMZ echoed the New York Post, reporting that Leah was offered a low pay bump, describing it as "miniscule." The outlet claimed that she felt "disrespected" by the offer. 

Sources told TMZ that Leah made an estimated $3,000 per episode on her first Real Housewives of New York season, which amounted to about $60,000. Leah hasn't public acknowledged the speculation that she's holding out for a larger paycheck, but fans will know soon enough since, as of this writing, Season 13 is supposed to start shooting in September 2020. TMZ pointed out that Leah added the talent agency WME to her Instagram bio, which may have something to do with the reported negotiations.

Fans panicked about Leah McSweeney's future on Real Housewives of New York when she removed the show from her Instagram bio in September 2020, wondering if it was some sort of sign. This was a standout move among Real Housewives fans because of past precedent. Case in point? Real Housewives of Orange County alum Tamra Judge sparked speculation when she removed the orange emoji from Instagram bio in January 2020. OK! magazine reported that Tamra added it back to her profile following fan speculation. However, Tamra got the cut from the show that same month.

Sure, it's strange that Leah changed her social media bio. However, she has referenced her "next season" in multiple interviews, seemingly indicating that she would be down to film again. In August 2020, Leah told Page Six, "I hope that there's not only diversity of race, but an even deeper diversity of where someone lives or what their interests are," explaining that "New Yorkers are not a monolith, obviously."

Leah said that her younger sister Sarah McSweeney, who appeared on a few Real Housewives of New York episodes, would "be so great" for a role on Real Housewives of New York during an August 2020 Entertainment Tonight interview. Considering that Leah has made many comments about the future of the show and casting decisions, it would make sense to assume she intends to stay, but will she get the salary she thinks she deserves? Only time will tell.