A number of Actual Housewives franchise stars are coming to Andy Cohen’s protection following Leah McSweeney’s bombshell claims in opposition to the Bravo boss.
The previous RHONY star filed a lawsuit in opposition to Cohen and Bravo on February 27. After information of her civil go well with went public, she alleged in a prolonged Instagram publish that the community executives “create a harmful work setting, encourage substance abuse.”
McSweeney claimed that NBCUniversal exploited her struggles with alcoholism and alleged that Cohen “engaged in cocaine use with ‘Housewives’ and different Bravolebrities that he employs,” in line with court docket paperwork obtained by Web page Six. McSweeney additionally alleged that Cohen “rewards Housewives with whom he makes use of cocaine with extra favorable therapy and edits” on the reveals. (Us Weekly has reached out to Cohen, Bravo and McSweeney for remark.)
McSweeney additional claimed that she felt “pressured” to drink when she was on RHONY regardless of allegedly telling producers earlier than her first season that she had already been sober for 30 days. (McSweeney joined the collection for seasons 12 to 13, which aired in 2020 and 2021.)
The Actual Housewives of New York Metropolis premiered in 2008, however not each Housewife has gone the gap. The season 1 solid of RHONY included Luann de Lesseps, Ramona Singer, Bethenny Frankel, Jill Zarin and Alex McCord. Whereas Kelly Killoren Bensimon joined the solid throughout season 2, Sonja Morgan turned a full-time solid member throughout […]
“At the moment I’m taking again my actuality. The reckless and diabolical method wherein the individuals on the high drool over the mishaps and misfortunes of the ladies together with myself are disturbing,” McSweeney wrote through Instagram. “It’s a office tradition the place toxicity, alcoholism and ache will not be solely anticipated however inspired and facilitated. That’s one thing I most undoubtedly didn’t join nor would I ever endorse.”
Whereas Cohen has not addressed the lawsuit instantly, his rep shut down McSweeney’s accusations in a press release to The Hollywood Reporter on February 28, saying, “The claims in opposition to Andy are utterly false.”
Maintain scrolling to see which Housewives have publicly shared their loyalty to Cohen within the wake of the bombshell lawsuit:
Guerdy Abraira
Guerdy Abraira Mindy Small/Getty Photographs
“Been round Andy many many occasions and have NEVER been provided something however good hospitality,” the RHOM star wrote within the feedback part of a February 28 Instagram publish shared by Web page Six.
Chanel Ayan
Chanel Ayan Dave Benett/Getty Photographs for Excellent X AMI
The RHODubai star urged McSweeney to “go away [Andy] alone” in an Instagram remark. “We’re in a spot the place you’ll be able to’t belief to be mates with anybody coz they be snitching on you even when it’s not actuality or reality 😂,” she added on Web page Six’s social media publish.
Andy Cohen has been candid about his difficult relationships with the Actual Housewives — particularly after they exited their respective franchise — over time. Cohen turned the Vice President of Unique Programming at Bravo in 2004. Two years later, he served as an govt producer for Actual Housewives of Orange County, which premiered in […]
Luann de Lesseps
Luann de Lesseps Dia Dipasupil/Getty Photographs
De Lesseps, whose sobriety journey was captured by Bravo cameras, stated she can’t agree with any allegation about being “pressured to drink.”
“I can solely say my expertise. A part of the Housewives is events, and naturally, there’s ingesting concerned, however it’s not like somebody pressured her to drink,” the RHONY alum informed TMZ on February 28. “You possibly can’t power somebody to drink one thing. You must be the one that picks up the drink.”
She added: “I’ve recognized Andy for years, and it’s not in his character, and I’ve by no means, ever seen within the years that I’ve been doing Housewives any drug abuse.”
Cynthia Bailey
Cynthia Bailey Monica Schipper/WireImage
Bailey additionally informed TMZ that she hasn’t skilled what McSweeney is alleging, saying she’s “by no means been pressured to do something” whereas filming for Bravo.
“The whole lot that I did on the present was a alternative,” the RHOA star stated. “I feel grown individuals, on the finish of the day, need to be accountable and answerable for themselves.”
Kandi Burruss
Kandi Burruss Monica Schipper/Getty Photographs
Burruss stated she has a “good relationship” with Bravo whereas showing on Tamron Corridor’s speak present on February 29.
“I’ve been on that present for 14 years, and no person could make me do something,” the fact star, who not too long ago introduced her exit from RHOA, stated. “So, individuals know I don’t do medication, I’ve by no means been drunk in my life, and sure, I imply, some individuals ask for somewhat wine or a drink or no matter as a result of that’s what they like. They wish to have wine. They wish to have drinks.”
She continued: “That’s what they do after they need to have enjoyable. Do I’ve drinks? No. So, the identical method that I’ve a alternative, they’ve a alternative, too. No person is making you do something.”
Margaret Josephs
Margaret Josephs Craig Barritt/Getty Photographs for Bilt Rewards
The RHONJ star is “appalled” that somebody would attempt to “goal” Cohen’s character.
“I simply need to additionally say in regards to the cocaine allegations, Andy has by no means provided me cocaine. I’m mates with each Housewife. He has by no means provided any Housewife cocaine,” Josephs informed Web page Six on February 29. “These allegations are nothing however to assassinate his character and that’s disgusting.”
She continued by calling Cohen “skilled and humorous,” noting that she’s by no means felt “pressured” to drink whereas filming as somebody who doesn’t partake in alcohol.
Kyle Richards
Kyle Richards Monica Schipper/Getty Photographs
Richards cosigned Josephs’ sentiments in a separate assertion to Web page Six, calling Cohen a “skilled” who “likes to maintain considerably of a distance” from the Actual Housewives stars.
“I’ve by no means seen Andy do medication, provide medication or do something inappropriate ever, ever,” the RHOBH OG stated. “And I’m one of many nearer ones to Andy.”
Richards, who has not too long ago stopped ingesting, additionally weighed in on the alcohol claims. “We’ve by no means been made to really feel like we’ve to drink, by no means, not one time,” she stated.
Heather Dubrow
Heather Dubrow Amanda Edwards/Getty Photographs
The RHOC star detailed her “constructive” expertise on the present to Web page Six as properly.
“I’ve been concerned on this franchise in a technique or one other for over 13 years and I, clearly, can solely communicate from my very own expertise, however I’ve by no means, ever felt like anybody was making an attempt to make me drink alcohol,” she acknowledged. “I’ve by no means seen anybody else pressured to drink alcohol. It’s by no means even been a dialog. I’ve all the time felt, actually, very protected by the producers and by the crew.”
As for the medication, Dubrow has “by no means” seen something like what McSweeney alleged in her go well with. Nevertheless, she did word that being a Housewife is a “hectic” expertise. “It’s an unbelievable platform and we, as solid members, actually get a lot from it that, to me, the professionals utterly outweigh the cons,” she added.
Meghan King
Meghan King Elyse Jankowski/Getty Photographs
The previous RHOC star recalled an occasion the place a shot of water was by chance swapped with alcohol on Watch What Occurs Reside With Andy Cohen.
“There was confusion with the ‘shot ski’ and a manufacturing assistant had by chance switched my shot with Andy’s,” she recalled to Web page Six. “Andy was involved as a result of Gina [Kirschenheiter] doesn’t drink alcohol, and informed the manufacturing assistant in entrance of the entire stay viewers how that would by no means occur once more, particularly with a sober particular person as a visitor.”
Lisa Vanderpump
Lisa Vanderpump Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Photographs
“No person will get edit on that present, that’s for a reality,” Vanderpump, 63, informed TMZ on March 2. “And Andy doing coke? I do know as a result of I’ve partied with him a whole bunch of occasions — in my enterprise, in my home, in New York — I’ve by no means seen something like that. I can categorically say, ‘No, he wouldn’t do this.’ I do know for a reality he wouldn’t do this.”
She added, “Anyone can say something, can’t they?”
When pressed additional in regards to the allegations, the Actual Housewives of Beverly Hills alum shot again, “That’s precisely what they’re, allegations. Nothing concrete,” and went on to name McSweeney’s civil go well with “bulls–t.”
Kiki Barth
Kiki Barth Mindy Small/Getty Photographs
“Grateful for @bravoandy ‘s kindness and professionalism each time we’ve crossed paths,” Barth wrote through Instagram on March 2, alongside a photograph of herself and the Bravo govt. “I’m proud to name him my boss and may’t wait for a lot of extra years of making nice leisure!”
The Actual Housewives of Miami star concluded her publish with the hashtags, “#grateful #greatboss #appreciationpost.”
Melissa Gorga
Melissa Gorga Jamie McCarthy/Getty Photographs
“All through my 14 years of working with Andy, I’ve witnessed nothing however respect, kindness and help. I’ve by no means been provided any kind of drug by him ever,” Gorga, 44, informed Web page Six on March 1.
Gorga has recognized Cohen since becoming a member of The Actual Housewives of New Jersey with season 3 in 2011.
“His management type exemplifies authenticity. He prioritizes open communication and he’s very approachable,” she continued. “I’m grateful to have had the chance to be taught and develop below his steering and share in his success.”
Marsyol Patton
Marysol Patton Mindy Small/Getty Photographs
Patton shared through Instagram that, in her expertise, Cohen was “all the time the consummate skilled” throughout her time on The Actual Housewives of Miami.
“My Jefecito 💜 @bravoandy Who I Have Recognized Personally And Professionally since 2011,” Patton captioned her publish on March 1. “He Has At all times Been Genuinely Honest, Loving, Thoughtful And At all times The Consummate Skilled. The Biggest Testomony To His Character Was The Means He Handled My Mom An Anomaly In The Bravo-verse. You Are Beloved And Appreciated In Heaven And On Earth. 💜💜 “
