Ariana Biermann seriously considered walking away from “Next Gen NYC” after filming took a toll on her — and mom Kim Zolciak was ready to support whatever she decided.
Ariana opened up about the difficult period during an appearance on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s “Off the Vine” podcast. The “Next Gen NYC” star said filming for months and dealing with everything that came afterward left her questioning whether she wanted to continue with the Bravo show.
“I thought about stepping away [from the show] this year,” Ariana said. “It was a lot. And the comedown… of filming back to back … for two and a half months, three months, and then stopping filming. And then [there were] things that followed, and then thinking about my behavior.”
Ariana said she eventually told Kim she wanted to go home.
“I told my mom, I was like, ‘I want to come home. I want to see you. I don’t want to do this anymore. I am like completely tapped out and honestly so drained,’” she recalled.
According to Ariana, Kim did not pressure her to stay.
“And she was like, ‘You don’t have to. Get home if you want to get home. Come live with me. Do whatever you want,’” Ariana said.
Ariana Biermann Says ‘Next Gen NYC’ Left Her Completely Drained
Ariana said the months after filming were especially difficult.
“But it was really a lot. And I don’t think I have been in quite as dark of a place that I was in this January and February,” she said.
Ariana said she is doing better now, but admitted the upcoming “Next Gen NYC” reunion has her stressed.
“So I think that’s why this reunion is really stressful for me. But I’m going to walk in with my head held high and tell whoever I need to tell to … (expletive) off,” she said.
Part of Ariana’s difficult season involved her friendship with Riley Burruss. The two clashed after Riley felt Ariana did not defend her during her separate argument with Georgia McCann.
Riley later doubled down during the “Next Gen NYC: After Show,” saying Ariana did not meet her expectations for a friend. Ariana subsequently revealed on “Watch What Happens Live” that Riley had not contacted her after the episode aired.
Ariana Says Riley Burruss’ Comments Left Her in Tears
Despite their issues, Ariana made it clear she still cares about Riley.
“I love Riley. … In the ‘Watch What Happens Live,’ I meant she has not spoken to me since the episode had come out. She hasn’t reached out to me. I think my words got a little bit misconstrued. It’s also a very touchy subject with me. I never want to upset her. … But I love Riley, and I will always care about her, and I always want to be her friend,” she said.
Ariana also acknowledged Riley’s concerns about needing more from her as a friend.
“I did [understand], because I feel like, you know what, you never know how to be the best friend you can possibly be to somebody all the time. And so I’m always down to listen and hear what she needs from me and stuff like that,” she explained.
However, Ariana said hearing Riley discuss their friendship on the “After Show” caught her off guard.
“I think that the part that kind of threw me off a little bit was watching the ‘After Show’ where she’s basically talking about how I’m a (expletive) friend,” she said.
Ariana admitted the comments hit her hard.
“And that kind of threw me for a little bit of a loop and hurt my feelings. I was in tears watching it because I was like, ‘Wait, I’m so confused. I thought we were like past this,’” she said.
Ariana then offered her own assessment of the friendship, adding, “And also, I would say I’m there for her quite a bit more than she’s there for me.”
Tell us! Would “Next Gen NYC” be the same without Ariana? Let us know in the comments below.
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