Is Andy Cohen waving goodbye to the Real Housewives franchise he helped build? Not so fast! Rumors have been swirling that the 55-year-old host of Watch What Happens Live and executive producer of the Real Housewives empire is negotiating his exit from Bravo. But according to the network itself, that’s a big fat “false.”
A Housewife’s Lawsuit Ignites the Rumors
The speculation began after a report by In Touch claimed Cohen was looking to leave Bravo due to sinking ratings and a slew of legal troubles. The report cited “mounting accusations by his stars” as a key factor in Cohen’s supposed departure.
One such accusation comes from former Real Housewives of New York City star Leah McSweeney. Earlier this year, McSweeney filed a lawsuit against Cohen, alleging he encouraged excessive alcohol consumption on the shows for the sake of drama and ratings.
McSweeney, who has battled with alcoholism in the past, claims Cohen and Bravo knew about her struggles yet pressured her to drink on camera, even denying her requests for time off to attend AA meetings. Her lawsuit paints a disturbing picture, suggesting Cohen exploited her personal struggles for entertainment value.
More Housewives Speak Out
McSweeney isn’t the only Housewife throwing shade at Cohen. Brandi Glanville, McSweeney’s co-star on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, accused Cohen of sexual harassment. She alleges Cohen made inappropriate sexual comments and invited her to witness him performing sexual acts over FaceTime.
Glanville’s lawyers point out that Cohen held significant control over her career during this time, adding another layer of seriousness to the accusation.
Cohen Denies Wrongdoing, Bravo Shuts Down Rumors
Cohen has vehemently denied all allegations. He apologized to Glanville for a video he sent that was deemed inappropriate, claiming it was meant as a joke. However, Glanville maintains she was not in on the “joke.”
As for the rumors of his departure, Bravo is shutting them down definitively. A network spokesperson told TMZ the reports are “entirely false” and there are no negotiations happening for Cohen’s exit.
The Future of the Real Housewives
With Bravo refuting the rumors and Cohen himself denying the accusations, it seems the Real Housewives are here to stay – at least for now. Whether the legal issues will cloud the future of the franchise remains to be seen.
