The Real Housewives of New York’s Bethenny Frankel and Leah McSweeney slammed Andy Cohen over his reaction to a post making fun of a Vanity Fair exposé that addressed castmates’ allegations of alcohol abuse and racism within Bravo.
Leah also addressed being “lawyered up” as a source claims she’ll refuse any settlement offer amid her recent lawsuit. On March 10, Leah filed a discrimination complaint alleging that the network breached the Americans with Disabilities Act amid filming for Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.
After fan account @watchwhatcrappens joked about “Vanity Fair break[ing] the news that adults drink and Ramona [Singer] is racist,” Andy reacted with a laughing emoji.
On her ReWives podcast, via Page Six, Bethenny said Andy is “belittling” the discrimination and racism allegations against the network, and she called his comment “shocking, especially right now.”
According to Bethenny, Andy “thinks he’s invincible,” and his attendance at BravoCon is “50 shades of bulls–t.”
“Riddle me this,” she stated. “If Andy Cohen is laughing at something regarding racism, why would he not be asked to leave BravoCon if Ramona texted something to someone in the media?”
“It’s 50 shades of bulls–t is what it actually is across the board,” she went on. “For the first time in Andy’s career, he’s starting to feel what it feels like to be a Housewife.”
The star continued, “Every day something you say is being written about, no one is there to save you, no one is there to protect you, you’re on your own, getting canceled, losing sleep, drinking more than you should because you have anxiety, taking anxiety medication, taking sleep medication.”
Bethenny expressed her hope that “maybe he’ll be sensitive to other Housewives on TV as he starts to experience constant criticism … Watch what happens.”
Leah, who was also interviewed for the Vanity Fair piece, shared her own response to Andy’s comment. “Wow. Andy thinks racism and addiction is hilarious,” she wrote on Instagram. “Good to know.”
On Wednesday, Leah shared an Instagram post claiming she was “lawyered up.” After a fan commented, “Miss you on RHONY. Read Vanity Fair. I wish you $$$ in lawsuit. You deserved better by antagonist @bravotv producers,” Leah responded, “thank u appreciate you. I’m very much looking forward to depositions :).”
One source recently told Page Six that the 41-year-old intends on going “all the way” with the lawsuit, and she’ll refuse any offers for a payout.
“She doesn’t want money through a settlement,” said the insider. “She wants a trial. She wants [Bravo execs] in front of a jury.”
According to the source, the lawsuit will include “sordid details” that the network can’t hide – because it’ll be documented in court.
“She wants to hold them accountable, but she also wants to move on,” said the insider.
