Andy Cohen Responds to Backlash After Cheering On RHOBH ‘Bully’ Lisa Rinna!
Andy Cohen has responded to backlash he received for applauding Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, Lisa Rinna, after she proudly announced that she was the “biggest bully in Hollywood.”
Last week, Rinna posted a caricature of herself as a red M&M, cosigning her Season 12 nemesis, Kathy Hilton, when she captioned the post — “The biggest bully in Hollywood, And everyone knows it.”
While Erika Jayne reacted with a thinking face emoji, Andy Cohen applauded Rinna’s caption in the comment section with a series of clapping hands. The Bravo executive later deleted his comment.
Fans know that Rinna accused Kathy of suffering a “psychotic break” during a cast trip to Aspen, during which she threatened to “destroy” her sister, Kyle Richards. The reality star also claimed that Kathy threatened the network and slammed several of the other women.
Kathy pointed to a common fan complaint when she blasted Rinna for a pattern of problematic behavior, in the reunion preview.
“You fight with everybody. What you did to my sister, and you drove Lisa Vanderpump off the show? I mean, the list can go on and on,” she claimed. “You are the biggest bully in Hollywood, and everyone knows it.”
The Watch What Happens Live host cheered on Rinna’s tongue-in-cheek declaration, but was immediately slammed for encouraging the actress’ shady antics. The Bravo boss called the reality star’s social media behavior “disastrous” in the reunion clip but Rinna appeared unbothered, sarcastically responding — “Put me on pause!”
On Wednesday, Cohen took to Twitter to respond to the intense online feedback over his comment.
A fan tagged Cohen after he deleted his comment, tweeting—“Andy, Why did you post it in the first place?”
Another Twitter user weighed in on the controversy, tweeting—”I think he doesn’t take everything so deep as we do. He’s amused by the drama and doesn’t take sides, just observes and allows himself to be entertained by it all.”
The viewer added—“Rinna joking herself about being a bully amused him and he applauded the balls of it. I don’t think it’s that deep.”
Cohen implied that he was staying neutral when he jumped into the convo to tweet—”You nailed it man.”
Some fans weren’t buying Cohen’s excuse and called him out for putting out mixed messages.
One user wrote—“I love Andy. But he 100% takes sides.”
Another asked—“Why don’t you ever hold the bullies to account?”
A third pointed out—“Something doesn’t mesh here. You say you’re appalled at the online/social media stuff that goes on around the show and yet you encourage Lisa Rinna in her behaviour on social media. Which is it? You condemn it or you think it’s funny and ballsy?”
Fans have been blasting Rinna for spotlighting Kathy’s Aspen tantrum and pushing the narrative even after her co-star apologized. However, Garcelle Beauvais, who remained friendly with Kathy throughout the season, revealed during a recent WWHL appearance that the popular socialite would be the one with the most explaining to do, as the reunion series plays out.
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills reunion continues on Wednesday at 8 pm, ET, on Bravo.
Stay Connected With All About The Tea: Twitter Ι Instagram Ι YouTube Ι Facebook Ι Send Us Tips
