Reality TV star and entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel has officially celebrated her 55th birthday with a spectacularly glamorous party in Miami, marking a significant personal milestone with a fashion-forward tribute to a cinematic icon.
A Night of Scarface-Inspired Glamour
Frankel, whose birthday was on November 4, finally hosted her grand celebration this weekend at the exclusive ZZ's Club in Miami. The former Real Housewives of New York star, who relocated to Florida over the summer, pulled out all the stops for the event, which was themed around Michelle Pfeiffer's character, Elvira Hancock, from the classic film Scarface.
For her primary look, Frankel wore a sleek, honey-blonde wig with blunt bangs, meticulously crafted for her by Miami-based hairstylist Leah Caso. She paired this transformative hairstyle with a long, emerald-green slip dress, a direct homage to Elvira's most famous cinematic outfit. The gown featured a revealing V-neck and dramatic slits throughout the skirt.
Multiple Outfit Changes and Celebrity Guests
The birthday festivities featured not one, but three incredible outfit changes, all designed by Garo Sparo, a finalist from season 17 of Project Runway. Following the green dress, Frankel changed into a hot pink gown, mirroring the one Elvira wore to the Babylon Club in the film. This number boasted a halter-style neckline, a deep V-neck, and intricate knotted detailing at the stomach.
For her final ensemble of the evening, Frankel dazzled in a black sequined gown with a plunging neckline, channelling Elvira's look from the Sun Ray Motel scene. The party's itinerary began with cocktails and a caviar bar, progressed to a seated dinner, and culminated in dancing to music provided by DJ ARKiTEKT.
The guest list was a who's who of notable figures, including celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton and real estate mogul Ryan Serhant.
Overcoming Birthday Anxiety
The lavish celebration held deeper meaning for Frankel, who has been remarkably open about her past struggles with her birthday. She was born on her mother's 20th birthday and had an extremely strained relationship with her, previously describing it as the 'biggest trauma' in her life. Her mother passed away in April 2024.
In a poignant Instagram post last year, Frankel revealed that birthdays had always been an 'incredible source of anxiety' for her, often making her physically ill as a child. However, this year represented a profound shift. She wrote about feeling 'free, lighter, happier as if something has been lifted', signalling a transformative period in her life.
Following the party, Frankel shared photos and videos on social media, where her looks received heaps of praise from followers and famous friends alike. Real Housewives of New Jersey star Melissa Gorga exclaimed, 'Freakin nailed it!', while model Heidi Klum complimented the new hairstyle. Former Jersey Shore star Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi declared, 'This is the look. I watched this 10 times.'
This dazzling birthday bash comes just weeks after Frankel turned heads with a revealing chicken costume for Halloween, a playful nod to her viral chicken salad tasting videos that have become a sensation on her social media channels.
