Andy Cohen Speaks On Exploiting Women and Destroying Families Amid Bravo’s Demise!

Andy Cohen Speaks On Exploiting Women and Destroying Families Amid Bravo’s Demise!

Andy Cohen, the well-known face of the Real Housewives franchise and host of Watch What Happens Live, recently addressed the series of controversies surrounding Bravo.

“Obviously, it’s no fun to be a target. So, yes, it’s hurtful,” Andy Cohen to Hollywood Reporter, as both he and Bravo face a storm of sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuits, along with allegations of drug use on set and exploitative labor practices, casting a shadow over the network and its flagship “Housewives” series.

Earlier this year, the turmoil continued when former “Housewives” star Caroline Manzo filed a lawsuit against Bravo, NBCUniversal, Warner Bros. Entertainment, and Peacock. The suit, detailed by Deadline, alleges that fellow cast member Brandi Glanville sexually harassed Caroline. It also accuses Bravo and its partners of not only tolerating but encouraging Brandi’s  “sexually aggressive and offensive conduct,” allegedly providing her with excessive amounts of alcohol to provoke scandalous behavior on set.

The series of legal challenges faced by Bravo continues, with former Real Housewives of New York cast member Leah McSweeney also taking legal action against Andy Cohen and the network. Leah is suing for discrimination and retaliation, alleging mistreatment due to her being “a woman with disabilities, such as alcohol use disorder and various mental health disorders, all in the name of selling drama,” as reported by The New York Times. This follows last year’s explosive Vanity Fair article where Leah claimed that producers would deliberately hide liquor bottles on set to undermine her sobriety efforts.

Additionally, Leah has accused Andy Cohen of using cocaine with other cast members of the Housewives franchise. Cohen’s attorney has vehemently denied these allegations, describing the complaint as “littered with false, offensive, and defamatory statements.”

In his profile interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Andy Cohen addressed the ongoing controversies involving Bravo, particularly the accusations related to alcohol on set. “What I’ll say about the alcohol is that we have so many sober people and people who have gotten sober on the show. We have people who’ve never had a drink during the entire run of the show,” Andy stated, citing cast members like Jill Zarin and Kandi Burruss as examples.

“So sure, there are people who drink. There are many people who never drink. We don’t force anyone to do anything. But no one is secretly hiding liquor bottles on set. That’s ridiculous. We’ve been very supportive of people’s sobriety,” he further clarified, countering the claims made by Leah McSweeney in her lawsuit.

Outside the courtroom, Bravo has also been a focal point in the broader conversation about labor conditions in reality TV. Former “Housewives” star Bethenny Frankel has been advocating for union organizing among reality TV personalities following last year’s dual Hollywood labor strikes. In an interview with Salon last July, Bethenny highlighted the modest financial compensation she received for her initial season on RHONY, totaling just $7,250.

Andy, who was once close friends with Frankel, shared his perspective as an independent producer on why he believes reality stars should not be equated with traditional actors. “Reality stars typically have other jobs. They’re bar owners, they’re designers. They’re doctors,” he explained, suggesting that their diverse sources of income and professional backgrounds distinguish them from regular actors who may rely solely on their performing careers.

In a candid reveal about the inner workings of Bravo’s financial dealings, Andy Cohen, the network’s charismatic face, shed light on how the stars of its hit shows are compensated. “I think the way that Bravo pays people is that it’s a buyout — they’re buying them out for a show that can be distributed in certain ways, and the longer you stay on, the higher your salary gets. And salaries for people who have been on a long time are really high,” he explained.

Addressing the waves of criticism from former colleagues, including Bethenny Frankel, Andy didn’t mince words. “Obviously, it’s no fun to be a target. So, yes, it’s hurtful,” he admitted. Despite the challenges, Andy stands firm in his approach, reflecting on his experiences with a philosophical outlook. “However, I have no regrets about the way I’ve handled anything. I think everything that happens in your life informs the next thing that happens in your life. That’s the way I look at all this.”

Andy Cohen also spoke confidently about his integrity and professional conduct amidst the controversies.

“I know what the truth is and I know how I’ve conducted myself, and I walk tall every day on that,” he declared, asserting his stance amid the swirling rumors and accusations.

 

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