Leah McSweeney has filed a civil lawsuit in opposition to Bravo and Andy Cohen after her expertise filming Actual Housewives of New York Metropolis and Actual Housewives: Final Ladies Journey.
In response to courtroom paperwork obtained by Web page Six on Tuesday, February 27, the truth star and her attorneys allege Cohen, 55, and the community deliberately preyed on McSweeney’s wrestle with alcoholism in an try to attain large rankings.
“This isn’t a narrative I ever thought I’d be telling; in truth, I used to be petrified to talk on it and was warned to not,” McSweeney, 41, stated by way of an Instagram submit hours after the go well with was filed. “Your favourite Bravo reveals are run by individuals who create a harmful work atmosphere, encourage substance abuse to artificially create drama and cynically prey on the vulnerabilities of their staff.”
Whereas McSweeney stated a few of the tales detailed within the lawsuit have been proven in edited kind on TV, viewers might study rather more because the case performs out in New York.
A number of of Hollywood’s greatest stars have been candid about their sobriety journeys over time. Kelly Osbourne, who beforehand talked about being sober for six years, revealed in April 2021 that she had suffered a relapse and was engaged on subsequent steps. “Not pleased with it. However I’m again on observe,” she wrote by way of […]
“There will likely be rather more that comes out as soon as the folks concerned are questioned beneath oath. At the moment I’m taking again my actuality,” she stated. “The reckless and diabolical means wherein the folks on the high drool over the mishaps and misfortunes of the ladies together with myself are disturbing. It’s a office tradition the place toxicity, alcoholism and ache aren’t solely anticipated however inspired and facilitated. That’s one thing I most positively didn’t join nor would I ever endorse.”
McSweeney appeared in two seasons of Actual Housewives of New York Metropolis between 2020 and 2021 and one season of the spinoff Actual Housewives: Final Ladies Journey in 2023.
Within the go well with, McSweeney stated she informed producers earlier than her first season that she’d been sober for 30 days and dealing to keep her sobriety.
As an alternative of offering sufficient care and help all through her filming expertise, McSweeney and her authorized staff alleged within the lawsuit that producers pressured her to drink in all three seasons.
“There’s nothing extra vital than my sobriety, with out it I danger shedding all the pieces,” McSweeney stated by way of Instagram. “I’ve been very clear about my habit and restoration, nonetheless there are private issues within the lawsuit that I by no means needed to reveal for concern of being judged and shamed, however I’m at some extent now in my life the place I really feel sturdy sufficient to resist no matter might come my means.”
Whereas McSweeney stated she has “love and respect for a lot of” of the Bravo expertise she has met and labored with over time, she hopes her lawsuit “helps actuality TV to align with its true function: to authentically depict the complexities of life whereas providing real help to those that share their tales.”
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 grew to become a full-time solid member throughout […]
“I’ve been making an attempt to handle this internally for years now however have been dismissed, stone-walled, and gaslit (however truly) at each flip since,” she stated. “Bravo can attempt to manipulate my actuality and others’ all they need, however the chilly arduous information of this case are as actual because it will get. Thanks to my shut family and friends and naturally @adelmanmatz who’ve supported me in each tough however vital step of this journey. I’ll see you in courtroom.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Bravo, Cohen’s rep and McSweeney’s attorneys for remark.
