Rebecca Minkoff addresses Brynn Whitfield’s exit from ‘Real Housewives of New York City’ (exclusively)

Rebecca Minkoff is not surprised Brynna Whitfield have decided to leave The real housewives in New York City.

Fashion designer tells People exclusively on Tuesday, June 10, the premiere of the new documentary, A man with Sole: the effect of Kenneth Cole, That Whitfield’s departure did not surprise her.

“I wasn’t shocked at all,” says Minkoff, 44. “I think it was in the cards before she even said she left.”

The designer’s comments follow Whitfields Monday June 9th message that she walked away from Fragment.

Whitfield, 39, published a long statement to her Instagram stories and said she made the decision to leave the series, which she added will “always be one of the funniest, chaotic and magical chapters of my life.”

“It was a lifetime to help restart such an iconic franchise,” she explained. “From the first day I have believed Fragment is a fans show – we are only temporary guardians of something that really belongs to the viewers. ”

She said that despite her exit from Rhony, She “just started” and noted that she is working on her podcast, See below And the dating app she founded, Hoppy.

In the explosive season 15 finals and its subsequent two-part reunion, the season-long tension between Whitfield and Costar Change Hassan Finally came to a head.

When the actor was on vacation in Puerto Rico, Whitfield told her comrades that she was upset over Hassan for suggesting Whitfield “slept with someone” to get a role in the Bravo series. She also noted that Hassan, 41, said this after Whitfield trusted her about her Before sexual abuse. Hassan then confronted Whitfield, and the latter pointed out that Hassan might not remember Whitfield’s revelation.

Before Whitfield’s latest announcement revealed Minkoff on Tuesday, February 4th, that She left the Bravo series – as was also the air date for the last part of Fragment Season 15 reunion.

“2025 is a new beginning for me and with current events in the world I remind the importance of family, friends and community now more than ever,” Minkoff wrote in a Instagram post.

Minkoff, who joined the long -lasting series as a friend for season 15, tells people that she will miss the “shared band between the women.”

“We had a lot of fun together, and I got some amazing friends out of it. So I’ll miss it,” she says on Tuesday, June 10, the premiere. Adds, “I will miss the fans’ excitement and meet them; it was all incredible.”

Never miss a story – register for People’s free daily newsletters Keeping up to date on the best of what people have to offer, from celebrity news to compelling stories of human interest.

While Minkoff has gone – and is not shocked by Whitfield’s output – she tells exclusively people to have hope for Season 16 casting. She says she “crosses her fingers” as rumors that Summer house star Lindsay Hubbard will Join the series are true.

“She’s good TV,” says Minkoff about colleague Bravo star. “So bring what the fans want.”