Every Real Housewife Defending Andy Cohen After Bombshell Lawsuit

Several Real Housewives franchise stars are coming to Andy Cohen’s protection following Leah McSweeney’s bombshell claims towards the Bravo boss.

The former RHONY star filed a lawsuit towards 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 dangerous work environment, encourage substance abuse.”

McSweeney claimed that NBCUniversal exploited her struggles with alcoholism and alleged that Cohen “engaged in cocaine use with ‘Housewives’ and other Bravolebrities that he employs,” in keeping with courtroom paperwork obtained by Page Six. McSweeney additionally alleged that Cohen “rewards Housewives with whom he uses cocaine with more favorable treatment 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 sequence for seasons 12 to 13, which aired in 2020 and 2021.)

Related: Former ‘RHONY’ Stars: Where Are They Now?

The Real Housewives of New York City premiered in 2008, however not each Housewife has gone the space. The season 1 forged of RHONY included Luann de Lesseps, Ramona Singer, Bethenny Frankel, Jill Zarin and Alex McCord. While Kelly Killoren Bensimon joined the forged throughout season 2, Sonja Morgan grew to become a full-time forged member throughout […]

“Today I am taking back my reality. The reckless and diabolical way in which the people at the top drool over the mishaps and misfortunes of the women including myself are disturbing,” McSweeney wrote through Instagram. “It’s a workplace culture where toxicity, alcoholism and pain are not only expected but encouraged and facilitated. That is something I most definitely did not sign up for nor would I ever endorse.”

While Cohen has not addressed the lawsuit straight, his rep shut down McSweeney’s accusations in an announcement to The Hollywood Reporter on February 28, saying, “The claims against Andy are completely false.”

Keep scrolling to see which Housewives have publicly shared their loyalty to Cohen within the wake of the bombshell lawsuit:

Guerdy Abraira

“Been around Andy many many times and have NEVER been offered anything but good hospitality,” the RHOM star wrote within the feedback part of a February 28 Instagram publish shared by Page Six.

Chanel Ayan

The RHODubai star urged McSweeney to “leave [Andy] alone” in an Instagram remark. “We are in a place where you can’t trust to be friends with anyone coz they be snitching on you even when it’s not reality or truth 😂,” she added on Page Six’s social media publish.

Related: Andy Cohen’s Friendships With Ex Housewives: Who Is He on Good Terms With?

Andy Cohen has been candid about his difficult relationships with the Real Housewives — particularly after they exited their respective franchise — through the years. Cohen grew to become the Vice President of Original Programming at Bravo in 2004. Two years later, he served as an govt producer for Real Housewives of Orange County, which premiered in […]

Luann de Lesseps

De Lesseps, whose sobriety journey was captured by Bravo cameras, stated she can’t agree with any allegation about being “forced to drink.”

“I can only say my experience. Part of the Housewives is parties, and of course, there’s drinking involved, but it’s not like someone forced her to drink,” the RHONY alum informed TMZ on February 28. “You can’t force someone to drink something. You have to be the person who picks up the drink.”

She added: “I’ve known Andy for years, and it’s not in his character, and I’ve never, ever seen in the years that I’ve been doing Housewives any drug abuse.”

Cynthia Bailey

Bailey additionally informed TMZ that she hasn’t skilled what McSweeney is alleging, saying she’s “never been forced to do anything” whereas filming for Bravo.

“Everything that I did on the show was a choice,” the RHOA star stated. “I think grown people, at the end of the day, have to be accountable and responsible for themselves.”

Kandi Burruss

Burruss stated she has a “good relationship” with Bravo whereas showing on Tamron Hall’s speak present on February 29.

“I’ve been on that show for 14 years, and nobody can make me do anything,” the fact star, who lately introduced her exit from RHOA, stated. “So, people know I don’t do drugs, I’ve never been drunk in my life, and yes, I mean, some people ask for a little wine or a drink or whatever because that’s what they like. They like to have wine. They like to have drinks.”

She continued: “That’s what they do when they want to have fun. Do I have drinks? No. So, the same way that I have a choice, they have a choice, too. Nobody is making you do anything.”

Margaret Josephs

The RHONJ star is “appalled” that somebody would attempt to “target” Cohen’s character.

“I just want to also say about the cocaine allegations, Andy has never offered me cocaine. I am friends with every Housewife. He has never offered any Housewife cocaine,” Josephs informed Page Six on February 29. “Those allegations are nothing but to assassinate his character and that is disgusting.”

She continued by calling Cohen “professional and funny,” noting that she’s by no means felt “pressured” to drink whereas filming as somebody who doesn’t partake in alcohol.

Kyle Richards

Richards cosigned Josephs’ sentiments in a separate assertion to Page Six, calling Cohen a “professional” who “likes to keep somewhat of a distance” from the Real Housewives stars.

“I’ve never seen Andy do drugs, offer drugs or do anything inappropriate ever, ever,” the RHOBH OG stated. “And I’m one of the closer ones to Andy.”

Richards, who has lately stopped ingesting, additionally weighed in on the alcohol claims. “We’ve never been made to feel like we have to drink, never, not one time,” she stated.

Heather Dubrow

The RHOC star detailed her “positive” expertise on the present to Page Six as effectively.

“I have been involved in this franchise in one way or another for over 13 years and I, obviously, can only speak from my own experience, but I have never, ever felt like anyone was trying to make me drink alcohol,” she acknowledged. “I’ve never seen anyone else forced to drink alcohol. It’s never even been a conversation. I’ve always felt, honestly, very protected by the producers and by the crew.”

As for the medicine, Dubrow has “never” seen something like what McSweeney alleged in her go well with. However, she did observe that being a Housewife is a “stressful” expertise. “It’s an incredible platform and we, as cast members, really get so much from it that, to me, the pros completely outweigh the cons,” she added.

Meghan King

The former RHOC star recalled an occasion the place a shot of water was unintentionally swapped with alcohol on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen.

“There was confusion with the ‘shot ski’ and a production assistant had accidentally switched my shot with Andy’s,” she recalled to Page Six. “Andy was concerned because Gina [Kirschenheiter] does not drink alcohol, and told the production assistant in front of the whole live audience how that could never happen again, especially with a sober person as a guest.”

 Lisa Vanderpump

“Nobody gets a good edit on that show, that’s for a fact,” Vanderpump, 63, informed TMZ on March 2. “And Andy doing coke? I know because I’ve partied with him hundreds of times — in my business, in my house, in New York — I’ve never seen anything like that. I can categorically say, ‘No, he wouldn’t do that.’ I know for a fact he wouldn’t do that.”

She added, “Anybody can say anything, can’t they?”

When pressed additional in regards to the allegations, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum shot again, “That’s exactly what they are, allegations. Nothing concrete,” and went on to name McSweeney’s civil go well with “bulls–t.”

Kiki Barth

“Grateful for @bravoandy ‘s kindness and professionalism every time we’ve crossed paths,” Barth wrote through Instagram on March 2, alongside a photograph of herself and the Bravo govt. “I am proud to call him my boss and can’t wait for many more years of creating great entertainment!”

The Real Housewives of Miami star concluded her publish with the hashtags, “#thankful #greatboss #appreciationpost.”

Melissa Gorga

“Throughout my 14 years of working with Andy, I have witnessed nothing but respect, kindness and support. I have never been offered any type of drug by him ever,” Gorga, 44, informed Page Six on March 1.

Gorga has identified Cohen since becoming a member of The Real Housewives of New Jersey with season 3 in 2011.

“His leadership style exemplifies authenticity. He prioritizes open communication and he’s very approachable,” she continued. “I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn and grow under his guidance and share in his success.”

Marsyol Patton

Patton shared through Instagram that, in her expertise, Cohen was “always the consummate professional” throughout her time on The Real Housewives of Miami.

“My Jefecito 💜 @bravoandy Who I Have Known Personally And Professionally since 2011,” Patton captioned her publish on March 1. “He Has Always Been Genuinely Fair, Loving, Considerate And Always The Consummate Professional. The Greatest Testament To His Character Was The Way He Treated My Mother An Anomaly In The Bravo-verse. You Are Loved And Appreciated In Heaven And On Earth. 💜💜 “