Kelly Bensimon: Missoni for Target Launch

Kelly Bensimon attends the Missoni for Target Collection launch at the Missoni for Target Pop-Up Store on September 7, 2011 in New York City.

Photos by Wire Image

Kelly Bensimon Visits "Good Day New York"

Kelly Bensimon, Shape Magazine's September cover girl, stopped by "Good Day NY" where she showed off some of her Kelly by Kelly Killoren Bensimon Jewelry Collection.

Regarding the next season of "Real Housewives of New York," Kelly said that she'd love to come back and that some of her close friends have auditioned for a spot as well.

Kelly Bensimon Debuts Her Jewelry Collection

Kelly Killoren Bensimon attended the preview of her Kelly by Kelly Killoren Bensimon Jewelry Collection hosted by Alice + Olivia and Stacy Bendet (also pictured) on August 20, 2011 in Southampton, New York.

Credit: Zimbio

Photos by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images North America

Kelly Bensimon Addresses All the Rumors

The scene is all too familiar to fans of Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York City: Kelly Bensimon is sitting across a restaurant table from a woman who is suggesting that she’s as nutty as a fruitcake, a stuck-up mean girl, and not the brightest bulb in the pack. But unlike past confrontational conversations (some legendary), this one doesn’t end with Kelly bursting into tears. “I love it,” she says. “I thought we’d talk about my diet and workout first, but let’s get to the juicy stuff right away and break it down. This will be fun!” 

Looking relaxed and amused, Kelly begins addressing the allegations one by one.

Real Housewives Rumor #1: Kelly Bensimon has a screw loose

There’s no denying that the second and third seasons of RHONYC featured Kelly, 43, at her erratic best. After the cast trip to St. John’s, where Kelly had her now-infamous meltdown, “people called me crazy,” she admits. “But what they saw was me reacting—in an honest way— to a situation that wasn’t honest. Then everyone ganged up on me. So of course I looked crazy!”

Because of the public’s response Kelly came thisclose to quitting last year. “I promised myself I’d never be in that position again,” she says. “I’d rather be home with my kids than out arguing with other people.” But it was actually her daughters, Teddy, 11, and Sea, 13, who persuaded her to return. “Teddy said, ‘You have to show them the real you.’ So this season I’m sort of the voice of reason. I’m listening to the others and giving advice and focusing on being a good mother and friend.”

Real Housewives Rumor #2: Kelly Bensimon is a snob

In the throes of a showdown with former Housewife Bethenny Frankel at New York City’s Brass Monkey more than two years ago, Kelly burst out, “I’m up here, and you’re down here.” With that one fateful sentence, her reputation for being pretentious was sealed. “People really thought I believed I was better than her, which is ridiculous,” Kelly says now. “It wasn’t about social hierarchy but about her behavior. She called me a bad name, which I thought was fourth grade–like—hence the ‘down here’ comment. Since then, I’ve also called people bad names on the show. I’m not proud of it, but it happens.”

Real Housewives Rumor #3: Kelly Bensimon is on drugs

Despite her unpredictable behavior, Kelly insists that drugs are not part of her lifestyle. “Everyone always asks me why I wasn’t on the cocaine and vodka diet when I was a model,” she says. “I was going to college and couldn’t be bombed out of my mind.” These days, her fitness philosophy hasn’t changed. “My body is like a Ferrari,” says Kelly. “I know what it needs to run well—and that doesn’t include drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes.”

To keep her engine in top form, she exercises regularly and sticks to a super-healthy food plan six days a week—saving splurges for Sunday, “or what I like to call ‘Funday,’ ”says Kelly. For breakfast, she likes almond milk on All-Bran cereal topped with seasonal fruit, and lunch is usually shrimp or chicken with brown rice and vegetables. Dinner is a group effort with her daughters. “By cooking together, they’re learning to make meals that are delicious and healthy,” says Kelly.

Real Housewives Rumor #4: Kelly Bensimon is less than brilliant

“I find it hilarious when someone says I’m not smart,” says Kelly, who has a degree in literature and creative writing from Columbia University. “I’ve written three books, including American Style, a review of U.S. fashion, which is a textbook in some schools.” Her fourth book, a fitness and lifestyle guide, will be published next year. “The premise is that you can be healthy, happy, and hot,” says Kelly. 

Look for more on Kelly Bensimon in the September issue of SHAPE, on newsstands now.

Credit: Claire Connors for Shape Magazine

Kelly Bensimon: GLAAD's Brazilian Carnival

Kelly Bensimon attends the GLAAD Manhattan: Brazilian Carnival at 230 Fifth Avenue on August 2, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Zimbio

Photos by Jemal Countess/Getty Images North America

Kelly Bensimon's Lunch At Da Silvano's

Kelly Bensimon of the Real Housewives of New York nibbles on some lunch as she enjoys an al fresco lunch at Da Silvano's in Manhattan.

Credit: Zimbio

Photo by PacificCoastNews.com

Kelly Bensimon Not Sure If She'll Be Returning

The fourth season of the Real Housewives of New York came to a close last night, and one cast mate isn't sure she'll be returning for the franchises' fifth season.

“I don’t even know if I’m coming back,” Kelly Bensimon told Boston Herald's Inside Track. “None of us are for sure. It’s up to Bravo and casting. They may want to switch it up and change the game.”

Even if she doesn't come back, she is grateful for what the show and Bravo have given her during her run on the hit show.

“I think the best thing I’ve gotten out of it is that when most women get divorced, it’s a daunting moment. I think getting divorced and being single and responsible for two children is a lot, emotionally and financially,” said Bensimon. “I think the greatest thing about it is it’s afforded me the luxury to reinvent myself, and do something out of the box. Bravo has afforded me an entirely new life at 43.”

Of the 2 part reunion special, Kelly said: “Our reunion shows are a free-for-all. It’s nice to be like ‘You’re lying.’ ”

Kelly Bensimon: Khirma Eliazov For Myhabit.com

Kelly Bensimon attends Khirma Eliazov (also pictured) Handbags Amazon's Myhabit.com launch at the Dream Hotel on July 20, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image (Nunez)

Kelly Bensimon: "Crazy, Stupid, Love." Premiere

Kelly Bensimon attends the "Crazy, Stupid, Love." World Premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater on July 19, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image (Spellman)

What Kelly Does & Doesn't Miss About Bethenny

Real Housewife of New York Kelly Bensimon is happy for Bethenny Frankel's success and spinoff show. No, really.

"I love it when people do well," she told me during our exclusive interview with her as she showed us around East Hampton. "The better that she does, the better the franchise of Housewives does."

Credit: E! Online (Cristina Gibson)

Kelly Bensimon: 'Snow Flower & The Secret Fan'

Kelly Bensimon attends the Cinema Society with Ivanka Trump Jewelry & Diane Von Furstenberg screening of "Snow Flower And The Secret Fan" at the Tribeca Grand Hotel on July 13, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image (Spellman)

Kelly Bensimon Introduces Her Jewelry Line

Kelly Bensimon introduced her 2011 Summer jewelry at Cindy Barshop's Completely Bare Salon in New York last night, June 30, 2011.

Credit: Getty Images (Cindy Ord)

Kelly Bensimon: Cirque Du Soleil "Zarkana"

Kelly Killoren Bensimon attendeded the opening night of Cirque Du Soleil "Zarkana" at Radio City Music Hall on June 29, 2011 in New York City. Also pictured, daughter Sea Bensimon.

Credit: Wire Image (G. Gershoff)

Kelly Bensimon Attends Music Video Premiere

Kelly Bensimon attends Countess Luann De Lesseps' Music Video Premiere hosted by Life & Style Weekly at Bar Basque on June 28, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image (M. Coppola & N. Barnard)

Kelly Bensimon: Rue New York City Launch

Kelly Bensimon attends the Rue New York City launch at CO-OP Food & Drink at Hotel Rivington on June 14, 2011 in New York City. Also pictured, Kelly Rutherford.

Credit: Wire Image (Amber De Vos)

Kelly Bensimon: New York Red Bull Game

Kelly Bensimon attends the New England Revolution vs the New York Red Bulls match at Red Bull Arena on June 10, 2011 in Harrison, New Jersey.

Credit: Wire Image (Jerritt Clark)

Kelly Bensimon At The Beekman Beer Garden

Kelly Bensimon attends the Grand Opening Party of Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club on June 7, 2011 in New York City.

Credit: Wire Image (B. Raglin & Dave Kotinsky )