Ariana Biermann Talks Strained Relationship With Dad Kroy Biermann, and Who Convinced Her to Join Next Gen NYC, Plus She is Sentenced for Her DUI

Ariana Biermann isn’t in the best place with her stepdad, Kroy Biermann.

As the 39-year-old former NFL player remains locked in a bitter divorce with her mother, Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Kim Zolciak, 47, Ariana, 23, who received her DUI sentencing earlier this month, offered an update on where they stand and shared which of her co-stars convinced her to join Next Gen NYC.

“Growing up, he really was my best friend — more than my mom was for a while,” Ariana admitted to Us Weekly on May 29 as she confirmed she was “trying” to maintain their relationship amid Kim and Kroy’s breakup.

“We’re definitely not as close as we used to be, and I don’t really talk to him very often just because of this tough situation that we’re in,” Ariana shared. “But I really do try to keep the divorce and my relationship with him and my mom separate. It just gets hard at times.”

Moving on to her new role on Next Gen NYC, Ariana said that joining the cast was “a really incredible opportunity” for her and her castmates, who include other children of Real Housewives stars, to showcase more of who they are “outside of [their] moms.”

“[The show] follows us as we are living our lives in New York,” she explained. 

As for who convinced her to join, Ariana credited Gia Giudice, 24.

“Gia was like, ‘You’re coming to New York and you’re doing this show with me.’ She’s like, ‘I need you. It’s going to be so fun and I need to know I have somebody in my corner too,’” she recalled. “I was like, ‘Definitely.’ And I love any opportunities, and it was a blessing. I was super excited to just come.”

As for her DUI arrest, TMZ revealed Ariana was sentenced to 24 months of probation and 40 hours of community service as part of a plea deal agreed upon earlier this month.

Ariana, who was “booked on misdemeanor DUI, misdemeanor improper/erratic lane change, and misdemeanor underage alcohol possession/purchase of alcohol” in August 2022 after a car wreck in Georgia, was also required to steer clear of drugs and alcohol, and anyone who may have illegal substances.

At the time of her arrest nearly three years ago, Ariana denied drinking, despite the “noticeable sway” officers witnessed during her field sobriety test. And, her boyfriend, Hudson McLeroy, was also taken into custody on alcohol charges.

Next Gen NYC season one premieres on Tuesday, June 3, at 9/8c on Bravo.