Bethenny Frankel to expand Skinnygirl product line

NEW YORK (AP) ? Bethenny Frankel plans to expand her Skinnygirl line of wine and spirits and power bars to include more food products.

"You'll definitely see Skinnygirl food," the former reality TV star said in a recent interview. "If it's something that I'm passionate about, if it's something that solves a problem for women in particular because that's who I connect with the most, and (it's) any product that I can improve upon or any problem that I can solve, then Skinnygirl will be attached to that."

She has added what she calls "The New Girls" to her popular line of ready-to-serve drinks, including Moscato, White Cherry Vodka, Mojito and Sweet 'n Tart Grapefruit Margarita.

Frankel, whose entrepreneurial reach also includes diet books and videos, and a novel, had a six-city run of "bethenny" on Fox-owned stations last year. The show will air in cities across the country this fall.

"Initially people were afraid of me doing the talk show," Frankel said. "I kind of had to push through and be tested, but I think as women we're always being tested (and) the reward is so much sweeter. You've got to fight for what you want, but if you really are passionate and you really have drive, then you (can) pretty much accomplish anything."

Frankel was a runner-up on "The Apprentice: Martha Stewart." She appeared on "The Real Housewives of New York City," where she became a breakout star, then starred in a pair of her own reality shows.

She believes her honesty about the ups and downs of her personal life has helped people relate to her.

Frankel filed for divorce from her husband, Jason Hoppy, in January. They have a daughter, Bryn, who will soon celebrate her third birthday.

"Bryn's great. She is so sweet," said Frankel. "I just love taking her to school and going to the park. I do try to do a lot of different activities. She has such a great life."

Frankel said when she decided to do reality television, "I was going to "put it all out there and be honest about my flaws and the struggles."

"That's what really ended up creating a connection between me and women and I think what enabled (me) to have a talk show," she said. "It's just really a dialogue. It's been a trust and a relationship and a conversation that's gone for years."

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Online:

http://www.bethenny.com/

http://www.skinnygirldaily.com/

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Alicia Rancilio covers entertainment for The Associated Press. Follow her online at http://www.twitter.com/aliciar .

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/bethenny-frankel-expand-skinnygirl-product-line-191858266.html

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