Bethenny Frankel has opened up about her current dating struggles in a candid TikTok video posted over the weekend. The 54-year-old reality TV star made what she called a vulnerable confession about her relationship status after months of being single.
The former Real Housewives of New York City cast member shared her honest thoughts in a selfie-style video on the social media platform. She explained her current mindset about dating and why she has been avoiding romantic connections.
Frankel admitted that she is “afraid to date” but clarified that she is not “actually actively afraid” but rather “hesitant” about getting back into the dating scene, as reported by Page Six. She used a relatable comparison to explain her feelings, comparing her situation to the aftermath of food poisoning.
Frankel compares dating fears to food poisoning trauma
The reality star drew an interesting parallel to help her followers understand her current state of mind. She explained that her dating hesitation is similar to how someone might feel after getting sick from food.
“You know how when you get food poisoning, you’re just scared to eat that food again, even though rationally you know that you’re likely not gonna get food poisoning again from that same food? But you just can’t bring yourself to do it,” Frankel said in the video. She added that this is exactly how she feels after months of not dating anyone.
The entrepreneur revealed a pattern in her recent dating attempts. She explained that she will get excited and “start talking to someone” but then ultimately decides to “run away” from the situation. Frankel said she will simply stop texting the person rather than continuing the conversation. She was quick to clarify that this behavior is not breadcrumbing, which involves giving someone small amounts of attention without real commitment.
Instead, Frankel used another comparison to describe her approach. She said she will “dip her foot in the pool, find that it’s too cold” and then decide she doesn’t want to go in. The TV personality admitted that she has been doing this repeatedly with potential romantic interests.
Looking ahead, Frankel expressed hope that things might change in the future. She said that maybe one day “the pool will be warm, and it’ll be a beautiful enough day to like get in.” However, for now, she has decided to stop even trying, saying she is “not even dipping my toe in anymore.”
This is not the first time Frankel has spoken publicly about personal challenges. She has become increasingly vocal about various issues, including her activism regarding reality TV star compensation, showing her willingness to address difficult topics openly. In June, she posted an Instagram video discussing the difficulties of dating men in their 50s. She criticized this age group for breadcrumbing behavior and said they are looking for “adult pen pals that perhaps they could sleep with.”
Frankel’s last known public relationship was with Tom Villante, with whom she was last seen in December 2024. Before that relationship, she was engaged to Paul Bernon. The mother of one shares her 15-year-old daughter, Bryn with her second husband Jason Hoppy. Frankel has been protective of Bryn’s privacy over the years, keeping her away from cameras until recently when she made her first TV appearance.. Her first marriage was to Peter Sussman.
