Amidst a wave of legal issues and allegations, Andy Cohen still has plenty of support. It started with Leah McSweeney‘s lawsuit, and then Brandi Glanville threatened to sue. Current and former Real Housewives from across the franchise quickly came out in support of Andy. More keep adding their names to the list, while others double down on their defenses. Here’s every Housewife defending the Watch What Happens Live host so far.
The Accusations
In her lawsuit, Leah claimed that she was pressured to drink on Real Housewives of New York City. And that her alcohol problem was manipulated to create drama and boost ratings. Leah also alleged that Andy offers cocaine and special favors to his favorite Housewives. In her Instagram statement, Leah acknowledged filing the civil suit could make her a “pariah” to other Bravo stars.
Vicki Gunvalson, RHOC
Of all the Housewives defending Andy, Vicki Gunvalson has known him the longest. Speaking with Us Weekly on March 10th, Vicki called Leah’s lawsuit “crazy” and “dirty”. Additionally, she praised Andy as a consummate professional, adding, “We have a very big relationship”.
Sutton Stracke, RHOBH
At the same event as Vicki, Sutton Stracke also spoke highly of Andy. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star called him “nothing but a gentleman”. Referencing her Season 13 reunion health scare, she said, “He was the first one to come to my aid.”
Sutton continued, “I think that he really cares for people and he’s very smart, and never have I ever been put in a situation that I felt uncomfortable with or unsafe.”
Lisa Vanderpump, Vanderpump Rules
While Lisa Vanderpump left RHOBH years ago, she still has a working relationship with Andy with Vanderpump Rules. Speaking to TMZ, Lisa vehemently denied he uses cocaine. “I know because I’ve partied with him hundreds of times,” she said, “I’ve never seen anything like that. I can categorically say, ‘No, he wouldn’t do that.’” Ultimately, Lisa dismissed Leah’s lawsuit as “bullshit.”
Kyle Richards, RHOBH
Longtime viewers know that Kyle Richards is one of Andy’s favorite Housewives. Naturally, she was one of many defending him to Page Six. In the article, Kyle emphasized their close relationship. However, she also maintained that Andy keeps a professional distance from Housewives.
Kyle insisted she’s “never seen Andy do drugs, offer drugs, or do anything inappropriate ever”. She also said that Andy was supportive of her decision to stop drinking last year.
Margaret Josephs, RHONJ
Margaret Josephs was quoted in the same Page Six piece. Like Kyle, Margaret doesn’t drink. She claimed that producers have always accommodated this.
The Real Housewives of New Jersey star slammed Leah’s lawsuit as “disgusting”. Margaret insisted, “Andy has never offered me cocaine. I am friends with every ‘Housewife.’ He has never offered any ‘Housewife’ cocaine.” Margaret also commented on Marysol Patton‘s pro-Andy Instagram post.
Heather Dubrow, RHOC
Heather Dubrow expressed empathy for Leah and admitted she could only speak about her own experiences. Nevertheless, Heather insisted she was never pressured to drink alcohol. “It’s never even been a conversation,” she claimed, adding, “I’ve always felt, honestly, very protected by the producers and by the crew.”
Meghan King, RHOC
Meghan King came to Andy’s defense by recalling a WWHL appearance. When a PA mixed up Andy and Megan’s shots on the shot ski, he stepped in to make sure Gina Kirschenheiter didn’t get alcohol. “Andy was concerned,” Meghan recalled, “and told the production assistant in front of the whole live audience how that could never happen again, especially with a sober person as a guest.”
Elsewhere, Meghan said Leah’s lawsuit shouldn’t focus on Andy. Instead, “it should just be about the ethics of reality TV and what does that do for our psyche long term or royalties or whatever.”
Marysol Patton, RHOM
Without mentioning the allegations, Marysol gushed over “Jefecito” Andy. She called him “fair, loving, considerate, and always the consummate professional.” Most importantly, she praised the way he treated her late mother Elsa.
Marysol’s co-stars Kiki Barth and Alexia Nepola agreed in the comments. Additionally, the post received support from former Housewives Teddi Mellencamp and Phaedra Parks.
Kiki Barth, RHOM
Kiki paid tribute to Andy on her own Instagram as well. Many viewers in the comments wondered if the post means that Kiki will finally get a mojito.
Lisa Hochstein, RHOM
Another RHOM tribute came from Lisa Hochstein. Posting a carousel of photos, Lisa defended Andy as a “stand-up man to me, my family, and my entire RHOM cast”. In the comments, Adriana de Moura called Andy “a loving part of our RHOM family”.
Guerdy Abraira, RHOM
Guerdy Abraira commented on an Instagram post from Page Six. The RHOM star wrote that she’s “never been offered anything but good hospitality” from Andy. She also called Andy “a champion of women”.
Kandi Burress, RHOA
Kandi Burruss recently left Real Housewives of Atlanta, but she’s still on good terms with Bravo. “I’ve been on that show for 14 years, and nobody can make me do anything,” Kandi told Tamron Hall. “People know I don’t do drugs, I’ve never been drunk in my life. Do I have drinks? No.” She continued, “The same way that I have a choice, they have a choice, too. Nobody is making you do anything.”
Luann de Lesseps and Dorinda Medley, RHONY
Luann de Lesseps, who’s had alcohol issues over the years, told TMZ the allegations don’t align with Andy’s character. “Part of the Housewives is parties, and of course, there’s drinking involved,” Luann said, “but it’s not like someone forced her to drink. You can’t force someone to drink something. You have to be the person who picks up the drink.”
Meanwhile, Dorinda Medley said she felt “terrible” for Andy. She also wondered why Leah appeared on Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip if the allegations were true.
Melissa Gorga, RHONJ
Luann also appeared on Melissa Gorga‘s podcast, where she said Andy wouldn’t be stupid enough to offer Housewives cocaine. Before that episode, Melissa already defended Andy, insisting he never offered her drugs. Instead, she claimed, “Throughout my 14 years of working with Andy, I have witnessed nothing but respect, kindness and support.”
Cynthia Bailey, RHOA
Cynthia Bailey also denied being forced to drink or offered cocaine. She told TMZ, “I think grown people, at the end of the day, have to be accountable and responsible for themselves.”
Brynn Whitfield, RHONY
Though she didn’t mention Andy by name, Brynn Whitfield also weighed in. Brynn posted a photo to celebrate her “boss” for being “kind and supportive”.
Brynn’s co-star Erin Lichy defended Andy in an Instagram story. However, Jenna Lyons liked Leah’s Instagram post about her lawsuit. This added to speculation that Jenna isn’t returning to RHONY.
How Did Leah Respond?
Amidst the initial wave of support, Andy insisted Leah take back her allegations and threatened legal action. But Leah isn’t backing down.
Leah’s attorney responded, “It doesn’t matter what people say or think – that Andy’s a good guy, or that you should expect to drink, or that you should expect this behavior. What’s going to matter is what the law thinks of it. And we believe the law thinks this is wrong.” He also teased more lawsuits to come.
TELL US – ARE YOU ON ANDY COHEN’S SIDE AMIDST THE LEGAL DRAMA? HAVE ANY OF THE REAL HOUSEWIVES DEFENDING ANDY INFLUENCED YOUR OPINION?
