Dorinda Medley was stepping back into the spotlight just as a major shakeup hit E!’s upcoming Real Housewives of New York revival. A source confirmed that Medley was joining The Golden Life after Jill Zarin exited the project before filming began, following backlash over her comments about Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show.
Medley, who spent six seasons stirring drama and hosting unforgettable gatherings at Bluestone Manor, was expected to be part of the ensemble from the start.
“Dorinda was always in the mix,” the source said. “The timing just shifted.”
Real Housewives of NY cast member Jill Zarin’s vile criticism of Bad Bunny just got her fired from her upcoming show before production even began.
— Brittany Belle (@BrittanyinTexas) February 10, 2026
She wanted attention… and she got it in the form of UNEMPLOYMENT.pic.twitter.com/WT6muP9CYh
The new series reunited familiar faces from the original RHONY era, including Luann de Lesseps, Sonja Morgan and Ramona Singer. Medley’s addition came as producers moved quickly to keep the project on track.
Zarin was removed after posting a video criticizing the halftime performance, calling it “the worst ever,” questioning why it was delivered in Spanish, and claiming there weren’t any white people on the stage. The remarks sparked swift backlash and led to her departure. In a statement, the production company said it chose to move forward without her to stay aligned with its values.
After being dropped, sources say that Zarin felt that she wasn’t given a chance to make things right after the backlash.