All the Details on Leah McSweeney’s Lawsuit Against Andy Cohen and Bravo from RHONY

When it comes to reality TV drama, the Real Housewives franchise takes the cake. However, when the word lawsuit is thrown around, things can go from bad to worse in an instant. The franchise is quite well known for cast members filing lawsuits left and right, including seeing these famous reality TV stars being the ones getting sued.

Unfortunately, a new lawsuit has made its way into the Real Housewives universe. Former Real Housewives of New York star Leah McSweeney is suing both Watch What Happens Live host Andy Cohen and the Bravo network. In her lawsuit, Leah is claiming that she was forced to forgo her sobriety and drink alcohol for better television.

Since Diddy’s arrest, his connections with the reality tv world, specifically the Real Housewives, has become even more evident.

Why Is RHONY’s Leah McSweeney Suing Andy Cohen And The Bravo Network?

Earlier this year, former Real Housewives of New York star Leah McSweeney filed a lawsuit against the Bravo network and Andy Cohen, who is an executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise. Leah, who appeared in Seasons 12 and 13, and The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip in 2023, claims that the network disregarded her sobriety and encouraged her to drink alcohol to initially create more drama for better ratings.

Via Instar

In an Instagram post explaining why she chose to sue the network and Andy, she wrote, “Your favorite Bravo shows are run by people who create a dangerous work environment, encourage substance abuse to artificially create drama and cynically prey on the vulnerabilities of their employees.”

“But the reckless and diabolical way in which the people at the top drool over the mishaps and misfortunes of the women including myself are disturbing. It’s a workplace culture where toxicity, alcholism and pain are not only expected but encouraged and facilitated.”

A former Real Housewive came to Leah’s defense. Controversial RHOBH star Brandi Glanville wrote, “We are NOT expendable. We are strong women & even stronger together. Time to take our power back.”

Via: Bravo/Instar

In addition, Leah’s bombshell lawsuit also alleges that Andy “uses cocaine with his employees to further promote a workplace culture that thrives off drug and alcohol abuse.” Andy has denied any and all of Leah’s allegations.

As Page Six reported, Andy and the network asked the judge presiding over the case to dismiss Leah’s lawsuit. However, the judge denied their request. The judge is also allowing Leah’s lawyers to look into private recordings and documents that may help her case. If they find anything substantial, the judge will then decide if her lawsuit is worth moving forward.

Fans Have Been Critical Of Leah’s Lawsuit

According to Vox, Leah’s claims in her lawsuit may not work in her favor. In her first season on RHONY,Leah disclosed that she ended her sobriety and began drinking 6 months before filming took place. In fact, RHONY fans have been critical of Leah, especially since she had the option to leave after her first season, but chose to stay despite her allegations that the network forced her to end her sobriety and put her in a bad place.

Via: Bravo

In a Reddit thread that asks users their opinion about Leah’s lawsuit, most agreed that they do not think Leah will come out victorious.

“Leah admitted on her first season that she started drinking again BEFORE joining the cast…so her argument that Bravo enabled her relapse is…THIN at best.”

Other Reddit users felt the same way. “She made drinking again her storyline and now claims it was forced.”

Another read, “We know producers didn’t force liquor down her throat. She admitted on her very first season that she relapsed before she started filming. We watched her parents and her costars tell her she should’t drink. She chose to drink by herself.” The same user added, “She’s broke and trying to access a payday.”

Bethenny Frankel Has Been Vocal About Bravo Creating A “Toxic Environment” For Years

The Bravo Network is no stranger to controversy. Former RHONY’s Bethenny Frankel has been trying to take down the network for quite some time. After leaving the series in 2019, Bethenny has been vocal about the network’s treatment of its reality TV stars, including expressing concerns about cast member’s mental health and the ways Bravo pressures their stars.

Via: Photo by Roger Wong/INSTARimages via Instar, Photo by Darla Khazei/INSTARimages via Instar

Although Bethenny has not filed a lawsuit against the network, she has openly shared how the network has been manipulating its stars and creating a “toxic environment designed for ratings.” In an Instagram post, the reality TV star stated that Bravo has exploited its stars, turning them against one another for ratings, and finding themselves in unsafe work conditions, which will end up hurting them long-term. She has been advocating for better protection for reality TV stars.

The Skinnygirl founder shared that she was able to find a way out of Bravo’s grip because she was “good at the game,” but she can’t say the same for others.

“To be successful in reality TV, you must kill or be killed. To not get dirty is to get fired. Someone is winning and someone is losing in this zero sum game where people like myself get rich and the less strategic go broke or get canceled.”

Basically, the Bravo network loves drama and will do anything to get it. Bethenny went on to state that the network “preys” on stars who are easy targets. Even going as far as having them surrounded by alcohol, which correlates to Leah’s beliefs in her lawsuit.

Bethenny continued, “My one liners and quick wit (crafted and honed from a dysfunctional childhood) often at others’ expense, shot me through the ranks of this toxic cesspool. This medium preys on and profits from the emotionally flawed and damaged.”