Bethenny Frankel Opens Up About Her Hesitation to Date

The former reality TV star shared her feelings about dating struggles on TikTok, describing herself as “afraid to date”—not entirely in a literal sense, but more as a hesitation rooted in past experiences. She compared her current reluctance to the fear many feel after food poisoning, where the idea of eating that food again causes anxiety despite knowing it’s unlikely to cause harm.

Frankel explained that after months of avoiding dating, she finds herself hesitating even when she considers starting new relationships. Although she gets excited to meet someone, she often ends up backing away, fearing rejection or disappointment. She metaphorically describes her approach as dipping her toe in the pool, realizing it’s “too cold,” and deciding not to go in anymore. Ultimately, she has decided not to even try, saying, “Until the pool is warm, I’m not even dipping my toe in.”

She also mentioned that she tends to hype herself up and make initial efforts to connect but then quickly retreat, citing not being a “breadcrumb-er”—a term for sporadic attention without commitment. She likens her behavior to testing the waters and then pulling back once she notices the coldness.

Her dating outlook has been influenced by experiences in her personal life. She previously shared that her last engagement to Paul Bernon ended, and her last public relationship was with Tom Villante, with whom she was seen in December 2024. Furthermore, she expressed frustrations about dating men in their 50s, noting that at this age, men often seek casual interactions rather than meaningful connections.

Frankel is known for her candidness about her personal life, including her history of marriages and her role as a mother to 15-year-old Bryn. Despite her reservations, she remains hopeful that one day she might overcome her fears and rekindle her willingness to date.