Luann de Lesseps says Ramona Singer’s alleged firing from RHONY is ‘just talk’

Don’t believe the rumors that Ramona Singer is leaving The Real Housewives of New York City “At least in the near future,” says her co-star Luann de Lesseps.

The countess and cabaret singer, 56, presents in the Monday episode of PEOPLE (The TV Show!) that the rumors that Singer was fired from the show are just truth.

“Listen, Ramona is an OG,” explains de Lesseps, who is partnering with Mattress Firm on a new campaign to rid the world of “sleep deprivation.”

“I can’t imagine Housewives of New York without Ramona,” she adds. “So, I think it’s all just talk.”

Singer is the only cast member to have appeared as a full-time housewife in all 13 seasons since then. RHONY premiered in 2008. She will also star in an upcoming crossover series on Peacock alongside de Lesseps, Cynthia Bailey, Melissa Gorga, Teresa Giudice, Kenya Moore and Kyle Richards.

She had previously addressed the rumors of her exit from the long-running Bravo show on Instagram, responding to a fan’s question, “Were you fired?” by simply saying, “Nope.” (Bravo had no comment to PEOPLE at the time.)

RELATED: Ramona Singer denies she was fired The Real Housewives of New York City

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The founder of Ageless by Ramona has been at loggerheads with newcomer Eboni K. Williams this season, who denounced Singer’s “white fragility” in a recent episode.

Their feud seems to be getting strong in the second half of the season, as seen in the midseason trailer. But de Lesseps teases PEOPLE (The TV Show!) that there will soon be a reconciliation.

“Well, there will be a few little hurdles before they reach the prize,” she says. “I call it the Ramona roller coaster. So the ride is not over yet.”

RELATED VIDEO: Eboni K. Williams takes the responsibility of being RHONY’s first Black Housewife ‘very seriously’

As for the discussions about race that have been going on throughout the season and sparked heated debates among fans, de Lesseps supports the issue.

“It’s an important conversation and the great thing is that we’ll sit down at the negotiating table and you’ll see our relationship grow,” she said. “We’re overcoming the hurdle and getting closer.”

She added that filming during “Black Lives Matter, the election and COVID” meant those issues would obviously come up during a reality show.

Bravo, meanwhile, has been involved in the race discussions – and Williams has led many of them.

“Bravo invited Eboni K. Williams as the first black woman to join the cast of The Real Housewives of New York to be herself, which has brought a new perspective to the show,” the network said in a statement provided to E! News. “We support Eboni in expressing her views and we are proud that the show addresses these important and relevant topics.”

The Real Housewives of New York City airs Tuesdays (9 p.m. ET) on Bravo.