Each Actual Housewife Defending Andy Cohen After Bombshell Lawsuit

A number of Actual Housewives franchise stars are coming to Andy Cohen’s protection following Leah McSweeney’s bombshell claims towards the Bravo boss.

The previous 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 submit that the community executives “create a harmful work surroundings, 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 courtroom 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 exhibits. (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.)

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“Right this moment I’m taking again my actuality. The reckless and diabolical means during which the individuals on the prime drool over the mishaps and misfortunes of the ladies together with myself are disturbing,” McSweeney wrote by way of Instagram. “It’s a office tradition the place toxicity, alcoholism and ache usually are not solely anticipated however inspired and facilitated. That’s one thing I most positively didn’t join nor would I ever endorse.”

Whereas Cohen has not addressed the lawsuit straight, his rep shut down McSweeney’s accusations in a press release to The Hollywood Reporter on February 28, saying, “The claims towards Andy are fully false.”

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

Guerdy Abraira

“Been round Andy many many instances and have NEVER been supplied something however good hospitality,” the RHOM star wrote within the feedback part of a February 28 Instagram submit shared by Web page Six.

Chanel Ayan

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 fact 😂,” she added on Web page Six’s social media submit.

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Luann de Lesseps

De Lesseps, whose sobriety journey was captured by Bravo cameras, mentioned she can not agree with any allegation about being “compelled to drink.”

“I can solely say my expertise. A part of the Housewives is events, and naturally, there’s consuming concerned, but it surely’s not like somebody compelled her to drink,” the RHONY alum advised TMZ on February 28. “You possibly can’t pressure somebody to drink one thing. You need to be the one that picks up the drink.”

She added: “I’ve identified 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

Bailey additionally advised TMZ that she hasn’t skilled what McSweeney is alleging, saying she’s “by no means been compelled to do something” whereas filming for Bravo.

“Every part that I did on the present was a selection,” the RHOA star mentioned. “I feel grown individuals, on the finish of the day, need to be accountable and answerable for themselves.”

Kandi Burruss

Burruss mentioned she has a “good relationship” with Bravo whereas showing on Tamron Corridor’s discuss 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 just lately introduced her exit from RHOA, mentioned. “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 just a little wine or a drink or no matter as a result of that’s what they like. They prefer to have wine. They prefer to have drinks.”

She continued: “That’s what they do once they need to have enjoyable. Do I’ve drinks? No. So, the identical means that I’ve a selection, they’ve a selection, too. No person is making you do something.”

Margaret Josephs

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 supplied me cocaine. I’m mates with each Housewife. He has by no means supplied any Housewife cocaine,” Josephs advised 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

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 mentioned. “And I’m one of many nearer ones to Andy.”

Richards, who has just lately stopped consuming, additionally weighed in on the alcohol claims. “We’ve by no means been made to really feel like we now have to drink, by no means, not one time,” she mentioned.

Heather Dubrow

The RHOC star detailed her “optimistic” expertise on the present to Web page Six as nicely.

“I’ve been concerned on this franchise in a technique or one other for over 13 years and I, clearly, can solely converse from my very own expertise, however I’ve by no means, ever felt like anybody was attempting to make me drink alcohol,” she said. “I’ve by no means seen anybody else compelled to drink alcohol. It’s by no means even been a dialog. I’ve all the time felt, truthfully, 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. Nonetheless, she did word that being a Housewife is a “irritating” expertise. “It’s an unimaginable platform and we, as solid members, actually get a lot from it that, to me, the professionals fully outweigh the cons,” she added.

Meghan King

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 advised the manufacturing assistant in entrance of the entire reside viewers how that might by no means occur once more, particularly with a sober individual as a visitor.”

 Lisa Vanderpump

“No person will get a superb edit on that present, that’s for a reality,” Vanderpump, 63, advised TMZ on March 2. “And Andy doing coke? I do know as a result of I’ve partied with him a whole bunch of instances — 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

“Grateful for @bravoandy ‘s kindness and professionalism each time we’ve crossed paths,” Barth wrote by way of Instagram on March 2, alongside a photograph of herself and the Bravo government. “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 submit with the hashtags, “#grateful #greatboss #appreciationpost.”

Melissa Gorga

“All through my 14 years of working with Andy, I’ve witnessed nothing however respect, kindness and assist. I’ve by no means been supplied any kind of drug by him ever,” Gorga, 44, advised Web page Six on March 1.

Gorga has identified 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 study and develop underneath his steering and share in his success.”

Marsyol Patton

Patton shared by way of 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 submit on March 1. “He Has All the time Been Genuinely Honest, Loving, Thoughtful And All the time The Consummate Skilled. The Biggest Testomony To His Character Was The Manner He Handled My Mom An Anomaly In The Bravo-verse. You Are Cherished And Appreciated In Heaven And On Earth. 💜💜 “