Jill Zarin has been let go from E!'s upcoming Real Housewives of New York City reunion series The Golden Life following her controversial social media rant about Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance. The 62-year-old former cast member posted and then deleted a video criticizing the show's language and performers, which went viral after being reposted. Producers cited her public comments in their decision to cut ties before filming begins.
Oh honey, the Bravoverse is buzzing after Jill Zarin's latest mess-up. The original RHONY star, 62, found herself back on the job market Tuesday, February 10, when Blink49 Studios, the production company behind E!'s The Golden Life—a reunion series announced February 3—decided to drop her. In a statement to TMZ and Variety, they said: '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.'
It all stems from Zarin's Instagram video posted Sunday night, February 8, right after Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show. She called it 'the worst halftime show ever,' complaining, 'I just don’t think it was appropriate to have it in Spanish,' and adding, 'I don’t speak Spanish. I would’ve liked to have known the words he was saying.' She went further, saying it 'looked like a political statement because there were literally no white people in the entire thing... I think it was an ICE thing. I think that the NFL sold out, and it’s very sad.' Zarin also slammed Bad Bunny's performance, claiming he was 'grabbing his G [groin] area' and acting insecure, and took a swipe at Lady Gaga's cameo: 'Lady Gaga got a facelift—I didn’t recognize her! I literally had to Google her face.'
Zarin deleted the video quickly, but fans like content creator Gibson Johns reposted it on X, where it exploded. Backlash poured in from fellow Housewives: Tamra Judge tweeted, 'What the actual F*#k'; Chanel Ayan said, 'I had to unfollow disgusting' with a vomit emoji; and Margaret Josephs wrote, 'I’m horrified, disgusted and disappointed... BUT elated by the NFL and Bad Bunny’s beautiful representation of America.' Even Zarin Fabrics, her former company, distanced itself.
Speaking to InTouch, Zarin responded: 'They didn’t even give me a chance. I took it down right away. People make mistakes. I’m human.' A source told the outlet fans are 'up in arms' because they love her and 'Jill will be back—this won’t keep her down.' A cast insider noted the group was warned against controversy, and while excited initially, they understand the firing. So, is this the end of Jill's Bravo comeback, or just a dramatic pause? 🔥
