DailyMailTV EXCLUSIVE: Sonja Morgan teases that drama-filled season 12 of RHONY is a 'hot mess' ... and says Bethenny Frankel is 'never replaceable'
Sonja Morgan is far from the Big Apple, quarantining outside of Los Angeles, but her heart is in New York as the new season of her hit Bravo show is set to kick off.
Morgan exclusively chatted with DailyMailTV about season 12 of Real Housewives of New York which she promises will be a much needed 'hot-mess.'
The 'straw that stirs the drink' also dished on the newest Housewife, Leah McSweeney, who she said could 'never' replace Bethenny Frankel.
![They're back: Sonja Morgan exclusively chatted with DailyMailTV about season 12 of Real Housewives of New York which she promises will be a much needed 'hot-mess'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/04/02/16/26729770-8178181-image-a-2_1585841308223.jpg)
They're back: Sonja Morgan exclusively chatted with DailyMailTV about season 12 of Real Housewives of New York which she promises will be a much needed 'hot-mess'
'Oh, this season is intense because the closer we get, we know what buttons to push in each other,' Sonja said.
DailyMailTV had the opportunity to speak with the cast in the days leading up to the Thursday premiere, and all the Housewives seem to agree that this season is one of the best in years.
'What a hot mess comin' up,' Sonja quipped. 'Which I know you love.'
Luann de Lesseps, Ramona Singer, and Dorinda Medley all at one point dubbed this season a lot of 'fun' but Sonja was quick to add: 'We're always funny, but wherever we go there's drama.'
!['Oh this season is intense because the closer we get, we know what buttons to push in each other,' Sonja said. 'What a hot mess comin' up. Which I know you love.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/04/02/20/26741102-8178181-image-a-1_1585856056144.jpg)
'Oh this season is intense because the closer we get, we know what buttons to push in each other,' Sonja said. 'What a hot mess comin' up. Which I know you love.'
![Drama: Newcomer Leah McSweeney has joined the cast and despite Leah telling DailyMailTV that she gelled pretty well with the cast, Sonja was a touch bristly when she was asked about the newbie](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/04/02/16/26731982-8178181-image-a-9_1585842017655.jpg)
Drama: Newcomer Leah McSweeney has joined the cast and despite Leah telling DailyMailTV that she gelled pretty well with the cast, Sonja was a touch bristly when she was asked about the newbie
This season newcomer Leah McSweeney has joined the cast, or the 'youngin' as Sonja calls her.
Despite Leah telling DailyMailTV that she gelled pretty well with the cast, Sonja was a touch bristly when she was asked about the newbie.
'I always say Ramona's an itch I can't scratch,' Sonja said. 'This girl's like a rash... the new girl.'
'Well, you're going to see a lot this season about what I have to say about Miss Leah, but one thing I can say she's a bonafide New Yorker,' she said teasing a potential conflict. 'This girl is tried-and-true a real New Yorker.'
!['I always say Ramona's an itch I can't scratch,' Sonja said. 'This girl's like a rash... the new girl.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/04/02/20/26741118-8178181-image-a-2_1585856078312.jpg)
'I always say Ramona's an itch I can't scratch,' Sonja said. 'This girl's like a rash... the new girl.'
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/04/02/16/26731978-0-image-a-7_1585841925291.jpg)
'Leah was coming in before Bethenny told us she was leaving,' she said. 'Let's get that straight. My girl B is never replaceable. And you all know that.'
It's been widely reported that Leah was brought on the reality show to replace Bethenny Frankel who abruptly exited the series last year. (Her departure will be addressed in the premiere.)
However, Sonja said that Leah was always supposed to join season 12, even before Frankel quit. Morgan also seems firmly team Bethenny.
'Leah was coming in before Bethenny told us she was leaving,' she said. 'Let's get that straight. My girl B is never replaceable. And you all know that.'
While she played coy about specifics, Morgan revealed that she show will bring some much needed levity during a troubling time in the world.
![Big laughs: While she played coy about specifics, Morgan revealed that season 12 of the show will bring some much needed levity during a troubling time in the world](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/04/02/16/26731474-8178181-image-a-4_1585841762077.jpg)
Big laughs: While she played coy about specifics, Morgan revealed that season 12 of the show will bring some much needed levity during a troubling time in the world
!['We're always there to make you feel better about your problems because we are one big wacky bowl of nuts. So that's what the show's for.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/04/02/16/26684714-8178181-image-a-5_1585841777678.jpg)
'We're always there to make you feel better about your problems because we are one big wacky bowl of nuts. So that's what the show's for.'
She said: 'We're always there to make you feel better about your problems because we are one big wacky bowl of nuts. So that's what the show's for.'
For her part, Sonja is in lockdown in Desert Springs, California and taking a page out of Ramona's book by 'renewing' herself with some self-care.
'I'm juicing and doing colonics. Is that TMI? No, not between us, right? You know everything about my life,' she laughted. 'Getting my [immunity] up and making sure I don't spread the virus.'
Sonja went on to explain that she is trying to be empathetic and sympathetic to the public on the whole during this crisis.
![On quarantine: During self-isolation in California, Sonja says she's focusing on self-care and trying to use humor to diffuse the stress, but, she is being mindful of using social media to remain sensitive to those who are struggling](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/04/02/20/26741106-8178181-image-a-3_1585856097196.jpg)
On quarantine: During self-isolation in California, Sonja says she's focusing on self-care and trying to use humor to diffuse the stress, but, she is being mindful of using social media to remain sensitive to those who are struggling
'Even during this, I use humor to get through tough times and I am using it right now,' she explained, adding that she is making a choice to remain sensitive to others in tough spots.
'I've been very careful on my social media, in fact, I went a little MIA. I didn't want to be not mindful of others out there who are less fortunate than myself who are holed up in small apartments in New York City.'
Season 12 of the Real Housewives of New York premieres Thursday night at 9 p.m. EST on Bravo.
![Tune in! Season 12 of the Real Housewives of New York premieres Thursday night at 9 p.m. EST on Bravo](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/04/02/16/26596836-8178181-image-a-6_1585841845064.jpg)
Tune in! Season 12 of the Real Housewives of New York premieres Thursday night at 9 p.m. EST on Bravo
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