My apologies for just now replying.
For me, friendships due to my past history has always been triggering. Part of the reason I was sad about Shady Phae Phae and Kandi which I felt was a real friendship, LC and Heidi on THE HILLS come to mind, too. But any instance of that. And regardless of the haw and hum, I felt Cynthia had a real friendship with Kenya...not just for the show, either. So watching that fall apart was sad. It even remind me of past friendships because there was the star and the sidekick. I have always been the sidekick and I don't mind the star shining, but eventually you grow up and start to do your own things. Some friends can accept that. And then some...sabotage you without you knowing. And some friendships don't come back from that. I think we have discussed or it's been mentioned here (and I feel Cynthia mentioned it several times, too) that it just seem naturally that when they got to the island, it was just assumed all the ladies would like Cynthia and dislike Kenya. So it was shocking to see Kenya being the IT girl and in the group with Cynthia being on the outside looking in...which she is not used to. Add on the drama in their real lives, and they just grew apart. I hope that they are real friends enough that with some time apart, they will come back together. But if they are like my friend, it will not be the same. Or will it?
It is almost sad to have Cynthia not be on the new season now. Because it would be yet another intriguing thread to an intriguing season.
I definitely happy that Teresa has made so many friends post-the Islands Baby.