As fans of the popular Bravo reality series know all too well, Bethenny Frankel had never been a favorite amongst her former NYC housewives co-stars.

But despite differing opinions and drama on and off screen, they’re offering their support and advice after the 42-year-old reality star who announced she and her husband Jason Hoppy are separating after two years of marriage.

Alex McCord, who was one of the original Big Apple stars before being replaced last year, exchanged holiday well-wishes via email with Frankel just this week — but was just as surprised by the break-up news as the rest of the Bravo fans.

“Someone actually called to tell me about the news,” she told Celebuzz in an exclusive interview. ”There’s nothing to say other than I’m sorry it didn’t work out.

“I hope they can take care of all the details as painlessly as possible.”

McCord is one of the few who remained close with the Skinnygirl mogul since she left the franchise in 2010 to star in her own spinoff, Bethenny Getting Married.

In fact, she’s been such a good friend that she was only among two housewives, including Ramona Singer, who was invited to Frankel’s lavish televised nuptials at the Four Seasons.

“It’s really sad news. It’s always sad to hear about couples breaking up. I hope they’re able to navigate this as best as possible for them and their child,” McCord added.

Real Housewives of Miami star Marysol Patton, whose divorce from French businessman Philippe Pautesta-Herder played out last season on her show, says she can understand what Frankel is going through.

“It’s really hard for everybody, plus they have a baby,” Patton told Celebuzz. “I don’t have children and I can’t even imagine it must make everything so much harder. It’s so sad.”

In a previous interview with Celebuzz, Patton admitted to being “an emotional wreck” during filming, but the fact that she “tried” her best helped her get through the pain of her marriage’s demise, she said.

“All you have to do is know your own truths and have to find solace in that,” Patton added.

“As long as they (Bethenny and Jason) are supportive to one another and don’t know let the press tear their family bond apart, they will be fine.”

“For me and my ex-husband, we had a nice relationship. When we went through our divorce we made it through because we were kind. As long they are nice to each other through this transition, it will make everything easier for both of them.

“Bethenny is a strong woman, she’ll know what to do. I’m sure it’s tough now, but time heals all wounds for both of them.”

Jeana Keough, one of the original Orange County housewives who left the show in 2009 but still makes occasional cameos, was one of the first to experience the glare of the camera during her divorce from former baseball pro Matt Keough.

The ex-housewife actually suggests the mother of 2-year-old Bryn look to another OC star for divorce etiquette.

“Bethenny just needs to handle it like Vicki Gunvalson did from the OC Housewives – with dignity,” she said. “And be fair because you can’t pull any tricks on your spouse. Everything is public knowledge. Bethenny will be fine, she has lots of attorneys.”

While fans of Bethenny Ever Afterhave seen firsthand their marriage troubles, is it still possible a reconciliation between the estranged couple could be in the future?

Patton said when it comes to couples who have a long history anything can happen.

“It took a while for us to split, but who knows, Bethenny and Jason could reconcile,” the reality star said.

“We went back and forth. He wanted me and then I wanted him, but in the end we divorced. We are still in touch as friends and we wish each other the best.”

Marysol Patton has seen it all and then some. Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Miami star is used to being around high drama as she’s one of Miami’s elite PR mavens. But, what happens when the shoe is on the other foot?

Viewers and partygoers alike were stunned watching Patton’s mother Elsa going head-to-head with the infamous Thomas Kramer on Thursday’s episode. The showdown took place at a dinner party Kramer and castmember Dr. Karent Sierra hosted for the other housewives.

Celebuzz spoke with Patton to discuss her thoughts on Mama Elsa and Kramer squaring off, her take on Joanna Krupa and Adriana De Moura‘s battle royale, and what it is about Karent that rubs the other ladies the wrong way.

Celebuzz: Mama Elsa is getting in the middle of things, again, which we all love. What can you tell us about what’s going on at this dinner with Lea and how your mother gets involved?
Marysol Patton: Well, I had left at that point but I know that once I saw the commercials, I said to mother, ‘What happened?’ and she said that Lea was getting loud and she was telling Lea, ‘Lea, settle down, lower your voice.’ And then Thomas started screaming, ‘You don’t tell my quests what to do.’ And my mother’s been like Thomas’ mother for like 20 years. I’ve sat at dinners with Thomas’ mother sitting there and he’ll tell his own mother, ‘Elsa’s more of a mother to me than you are.’ So, when he loses his mind, and I’ve seen him throw dignitaries and celebrities out of his house, there’s always someone at every dinner party that he targets and he throws out. I’ve seen it happen over two decades. I’ve never seen him do it to my mother.

CB: We’d love to have you weigh in on what’s going on with other gals. Of course, we have the whole thing with Adriana and Joanne. What’s your take on the catfight?
MP: In the moment, I didn’t know anyone had been slapped until I saw the commercials. I had heard rumblings from the producers. ‘What did you think of the slap?’ and I said, ‘I didn’t know there was a slap.’ And they’re like, ‘It’s the first bitch slap in Housewife history. It’s the biggest thing ever.’ And I’m like, ‘What are you talking about? I never saw that.’ It was the one time I wasn’t standing right there for the chaos.

CB: Karent has gotten a lot of flack for being a social climber and getting in the middle of the other women’s relationships. Do you think she earned that or do think she’s getting a bad rap?
MP: I just think that a lot of us feel the same way. We all talk and we all agree. We don’t think she’s a bad person or a malicious person at all. We just think that she’s very, I guess the word we all use is overzealous. And then everyone else is kind of chill and just rolling with everything and then I guess it just rubs everyone the wrong way, the overzealousness and excitement to jump into the middle of everything. But, I don’t believe that anybody here — regardless of what you’ve seen — thinks she’s like a bad girl, or bad person or that she does it calculated or in a malicious way.

The Real Housewives of Miami airs Thursdays at 9 PM on Bravo.

What did you think of Karent’s dinner from hell? Are you surprised by Thomas’ actions? Sound off in the comments section below.

The Real Housewives of Miami star Marysol Patton is banking on the third time being the charm when it comes to marriage.

“I really would like to get married again,” Patton tells Celebuzz. “I know that sounds silly, but if Liz Taylor did it eight, nine times, why can’t I do a third?”

Fans of the Bravo reality series are well acquainted with the public relations pro’s romantic history. Her engagement and second marriage to French businessman Philippe Pautesta-Herder was a major storyline on the show’s first season. And this season (shot almost two years ago, according to Patton) portrays its demise, something Patton says was hard to go through in front of the cameras.

“I was really, really, really sad the whole time we were filming,” she says. “I was an emotional wreck. My father was sick. My parents had just separated. I was going through a divorce. I was filming. I was running my company. I had a lot on my plate and it was a really hard time for me. I was just an emotional mess, but I tried.”

Patton says that her favorite parts of the filming were when she shot the commentary interviews and got away from the show’s dramatic group situations.

“I really enjoy doing the interviews, because I come to life and I get silly,” Patton, who has launched a coffee line with her mother called Havana Elsa, explains. “I’m a very silly person. I’m a lot like my mother. I like to clown around a lot.”

Going through two divorces may have been hard for Patton, but she did come out of them with a better idea of the kind of guy she’s looking for.

“I actually think I need to date someone that’s my age or in their 50s and just in a different place in their life,” Patton, whose first husband was two years younger than her while her second husband was 10 years her junior, says.

And, she really wants someone who has “already had some children.”

“Both of my husbands had never had kids,” she explains. “I haven’t had children. I would really like to have a child. I probably can’t have one on my own, but I would like to adopt.”

The Real Housewives of Miami airs Thursdays at 9 PM on Bravo.

What are your thoughts on what Marysol is looking for in her next husband? Tell us in the comments section below.

It certainly came as a surprise to many Bravo viewers when the cable channel announced in February that it was going forward with a second season of The Real Housewives of Miami after a long hiatus and Season 1’s mixed reviews.

Season 2 got a retooling under a new production company, Purveyors of Pop. Plus, returning castmembers socialite Lea Black, art curator Adriana de Moura and PR maven Marysol Patton will be joined by four newbies: Model Lisa Hochstein, model/actress Joanna Krupa, attorney Ana Quincoses and celebrity dentist Karent Sierra.

When Celebuzz recently asked returning castmember Patton whether she was surprised by who was asked to return and who wasn’t, she simply said with a giggle, “No, I was not.”

What else did Marysol tell us about the changes on Season 2?

“I think last season there was just a problem with maybe one person, maybe two people,” she revealed.

As it stands, Season 1 castmembers Larsa Pippen and Christy Rice aren’t returning. Alexia Echevarria, who has been helping with her son’s rehab from a car accident earlier this year, will make appearances on the season.

“There’s a lot of us and there’s a lot of personalities,” Patton said of the current castmembers’ vibe. “It’s completely different, totally different.”

What can fans look forward to this season? “There’s a lot of heartfelt [moments], a lot of funny [moments], drama,” Patton said.

The show’s unofficial housewife would of course be the PR pro’s self-professed “bruja” mother, Elsa Patton. She was a favorite on Season 1 for many viewers and it seems her daughter could be her biggest fan.

“I always want it to be about my mom,” she told us. “I was looking forward to all the things that I saw her do and she films a lot without me too. So I’m just looking forward to seeing that, because the producers are always, ‘God, she’s so funny.’”

The Real Housewives of Miami premieres Thursday at 9 PM on Bravo.

Are you tuning in for the second season of Miami heat? Tell us in the comments section below.