Jill Zarin fired from 'Real Housewives' reboot on E! before air

Backlash over comments about Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show led to Zarin's dismissal from "The Golden Life" cast.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Jill Zarin, a former cast member of "Real Housewives of New York," has been fired from the upcoming E! Network show "The Golden Life," a revamp of the "RHONY" franchise. Zarin's dismissal came after she posted a video on Instagram criticizing Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance, calling it "the worst halftime show ever" and complaining that there were "no white people" in the performance.

Why it matters

Zarin's comments were seen as insensitive and out of touch, sparking backlash from viewers who felt her remarks were racially charged and dismissive of Bad Bunny's celebration of his Puerto Rican heritage. The decision to remove Zarin from the cast underscores the importance of diversity and inclusion in reality television, as networks seek to avoid controversies that could alienate viewers.

The details

In her since-deleted Instagram video, Zarin criticized Bad Bunny's decision to sing almost exclusively in Spanish, saying she felt the performance was a political statement against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The production company behind "The Golden Life," Blink49 Studios, confirmed Zarin's firing in a statement, saying they remain committed to delivering the series in line with their company's standards and values.

  • Jill Zarin posted the controversial video on Instagram prior to the premiere of "The Golden Life."
  • Blink49 Studios announced Zarin's dismissal from the show this week.

The players

Jill Zarin

A former cast member of "Real Housewives of New York" who was set to appear in the upcoming E! Network show "The Golden Life." She was fired from the show after making controversial comments about Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance.

Blink49 Studios

The production company behind "The Golden Life," which confirmed Jill Zarin's dismissal from the show in a statement citing their commitment to delivering the series in line with their company's standards and values.

Bad Bunny

A Puerto Rican reggaeton singer who performed the Super Bowl halftime show, which Jill Zarin criticized as being too focused on Spanish-language music and lacking in "white people."

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Blink49 Studios (The Hollywood Reporter)

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of sensitivity and inclusivity in reality television, as networks seek to avoid controversies that could alienate diverse audiences. Zarin's dismissal from "The Golden Life" underscores the need for cast members to be mindful of their public comments and the potential impact they can have on a show's reputation and success.