Patti Stanger’s Bold New Chapter: Unpacking Her Departure from Bravo, WE tv Ventures, and Candid Thoughts on Andy Cohen
After captivating audiences for eight seasons with her no-nonsense approach to love and relationships on The Millionaire Matchmaker, renowned dating guru Patti Stanger has officially announced her departure from the Bravo network. This significant career move sees her transitioning to WE tv, where she will take on a multifaceted role, serving as both an executive producer and producer for an exciting new series. Additionally, Stanger has already laid the groundwork for a second project, which is slated to pilot later this year, signaling a major expansion of her brand and creative vision. This shift has naturally sparked considerable curiosity: why did she decide to leave the network that made her a household name? What attracted her to WE tv? And what does this mean for her professional and personal relationships within the industry, especially with Bravo’s prominent figure, Andy Cohen? HollywoodLife.com had the exclusive opportunity to sit down with Stanger and get all the answers, offering an insightful glimpse into the motivations behind her monumental career change and what fans can expect from her next chapter.
Why the Definitive Move from Bravo? Creative Differences and a Desire for Growth
Patti Stanger candidly shared the primary catalysts behind her decision to leave Bravo, articulating that her departure was fundamentally rooted in creative differences and a profound need for her brand to evolve and expand beyond its existing confines. “It was more about creative differences and the brand needed to grow,” Stanger explained, highlighting a core tension between her evolving vision for the show and the network’s direction. She harbored ambitious plans, including the desire to “take the show on the road and do a lot of different things to it,” initiatives which, she regretfully noted, were consistently thwarted. While expressing genuine affection for Bravo, acknowledging it as a “great brand,” she emphasized a personal and professional imperative to “spread my wings.” This sentiment underscores a common challenge faced by long-standing talent: the yearning for creative autonomy and the opportunity to innovate when a successful formula begins to feel restrictive.
The transition was not a quiet one; Stanger revealed that a “bidding war” ensued for her talent, a testament to her enduring appeal and market value. Her ultimate choice of WE tv was not arbitrary. She found herself drawn to the network’s impressive growth trajectory and, more importantly, to its leadership. “When I looked at WE tv’s increases, I fell in love with (WE tv president) [Marc Juris] and (EVP) Lauren [Gellert],” she recounted. This connection was deeper than just business; it was about recognition and shared vision. WE tv’s executives, she felt, saw her for her full potential, embracing her as a “relationship queen — a big, big star.” This contrasted sharply with her perception of her potential for growth at Bravo, particularly amidst the powerful and often overshadowing “Housewives brand,” which she felt dominated the network’s identity and resources.
Stanger also touched upon the rapidly shifting landscape of modern dating, citing the rise of apps like Tinder and Hinge as indicators that “the world is changing.” She recognized that traditional perceptions of online dating—once stigmatized as being “for the dateless and desperate”—were being dismantled. This evolving social context informed her desire to refresh her show, pushing for more contemporary and relevant storylines. Indeed, she revealed a hard-won victory during her final season at Bravo: “We had the biggest season, because I pushed and forced them to do celebrities. It was a really big deal — I fought for that for five years.” The inclusion of high-profile individuals, such as Hilary Duff, underscored her belief that “dating online is not a bad word” and was crucial for attracting a younger demographic. Her ultimate goal was to “get millennials to get and watch and buy TV,” demonstrating a clear vision for expanding her audience and modernizing her approach to matchmaking.
More Than Just Money: The Emotional and Professional Calculus of Leaving Bravo
When asked if her move to WE tv was primarily motivated by financial incentives, Patti Stanger was quick to clarify that while “WE was very generous,” it was “not only about money.” Her decision stemmed from a deeper, more personal, and professional reckoning after dedicating eight years of her career to Bravo. She eloquently likened the separation to a relationship ending: “When you break up with a boyfriend, it’s because it’s not working.” This analogy beautifully encapsulates the emotional investment and the inevitable realization that, despite mutual affection, a partnership might no longer serve one’s best interests for growth and fulfillment. Stanger believed that her show had the potential for significantly higher ratings—she envisioned achieving “two’s and three’s, and really blown the house off the ratings”—but felt consistently “blocked from my ideas,” stifling innovation and expansion.
Despite the separation, Stanger emphasized the amicable nature of her departure, reflecting a mature understanding of industry relationships. “In an amicable breakup, you still talk to your ex boyfriend,” she stated, confirming that she maintains positive contact with Bravo executives such as President Frances [Berwick] and EVP Shari Levine, alongside “all of the people that were there.” This openness signifies a pragmatic and respectful approach to career transitions, leaving doors open for future collaborations. She firmly declared WE tv as her new professional “home,” yet strategically noted, “If WE passes on producing, I will take it over to Bravo — that’s what you do. If you leave the door open, you know, I’m not Chelsea Handler, I’m not walking away from NBC because I hate [them].” This comparison to Chelsea Handler, who notoriously ended her long-standing relationship with E! Entertainment Television, further highlights Stanger’s measured and appreciative stance. She harbors no ill will, deeply acknowledging Bravo’s foundational role in her career: “They built me up; they were my mother and father.” This powerful metaphor speaks volumes about her gratitude for the platform and opportunities Bravo provided, even as she now forges her own independent path.
The Unspoken Divide: Patti Stanger’s Relationship with Andy Cohen
While Patti Stanger confirmed that her departure from Bravo was amicable with the network’s executive leadership, a noticeable exception emerged in her account regarding her relationship with Bravo’s prominent host and producer, Andy Cohen. When asked if Cohen had reached out to her, Stanger’s response was a straightforward, “No.” She clarified that while “Frances, Shari, my publicist, [and] all the people at the network wrote me beautiful notes, and we still love each other,” Cohen was conspicuously absent from this show of camaraderie. This silence, she believes, is indicative of a deeper, long-standing friction between them. “I don’t think he likes me — I don’t think he ever liked me,” Stanger confessed, attributing this perceived animosity to a past feud involving two stars from The Real Housewives of New York City. “I took Jill [Zarin]‘s side in the fight [with Bethenny Frankel],” she revealed, adding, “I think he picked Bethenny’s side in the fight.” This incident, stemming from a highly publicized internal network conflict, appears to have created an indelible rift in their professional relationship.
Despite the personal tension, Stanger reiterated her professional efforts to bridge the gap. “We had to work together, [and] I’ve tried numerous times to produce with him. I reached out to him many times,” she asserted. This indicates a willingness on her part to set aside personal differences for the sake of collaboration and shared professional goals. Intriguingly, Stanger doesn’t harbor resentment, even referring to Cohen as a “creative genius.” This acknowledgment suggests a respect for his professional acumen, even in the face of perceived personal dislike. The conversation then delved into the intricacies of Hollywood social circles, with Stanger making a revealing comparison: “Look, he has A-lister friends, I don’t. I have billionaires as friends, I don’t have SJP and DVF.” This comment hints at a perceived difference in their social standings or perhaps the types of celebrity connections they cultivate, ultimately leading her to conclude, with a touch of wry humor, “Maybe I’m not cool enough for him.” This candid assessment offers a rare glimpse into the complex dynamics and often subtle social hierarchies that exist within the entertainment industry, particularly between established personalities within the same network.
A Glimpse into the Future: Patti Stanger’s Top-Secret WE tv Project
The anticipation surrounding Patti Stanger’s new venture on WE tv is palpable, yet details about the show remain tantalizingly under wraps. When pressed for information, Stanger was deliberately enigmatic, stating, “I can’t tell you the format [or] what it’s called. It’s top top secret!” This heightened secrecy only fuels speculation about the nature of her return to television. However, she offered enough tantalizing hints to suggest that her new series will be a significant departure and an evolution of her established matchmaking brand. Stanger promised to “take it up a lot of freaking notches,” implying a more intense, innovative, and perhaps even more dramatic approach to finding love. This commitment to elevating the viewing experience suggests a show that will push boundaries and defy expectations, moving beyond the traditional formats of dating reality television.
Intriguingly, she drew a comparison to a well-known reality dating phenomenon, noting, “like The Bachelorette in a different way.” This comparison immediately sparks curiosity about how her show will differentiate itself. Will it feature a single wealthy individual searching for love among multiple suitors, but with a unique Patti Stanger twist? Perhaps it will focus more on the psychological aspects of compatibility, or introduce more rigorous challenges for the participants. The emphasis on “in a different way” suggests a fresh perspective on a familiar genre, imbued with Stanger’s signature directness and expertise. Crucially, Stanger underscored her commitment to her audience, declaring, “We are going to give the fans what they want, not what we want.” This statement reflects a dedication to responsiveness, indicating that the show’s development is heavily influenced by audience feedback and a desire to deliver the content that viewers are truly craving from a master matchmaker. This new chapter is not just about a change of network; it’s a transformative period for Stanger herself. “I’m changing my life and my business at the same time!” she exclaimed, signaling a holistic evolution that promises to make her upcoming WE tv projects her most personal and groundbreaking yet. Fans can expect a renewed energy and a fresh perspective from the “Millionaire Matchmaker” as she embarks on this exciting new phase of her career, ready to redefine dating on television.
We will keep you updated on her new show — are you excited?
— Emily Longeretta
Follow @emilylongeretta