Andy Cohen Addresses Intense Feud with Bethenny Frankel and Real Housewives Cast

Andy Cohen Speaks Out On ‘Sustained Attack’ by Bethenny, Other Housewives

Andy Cohen. Brian Stukes/Getty Images

Andy Cohen recently shared his thoughts on the ongoing "reality reckoning." During an interview with Vulture on Monday, June 3, the producer of Real Housewives talked about facing criticism and legal issues for the Bravo franchise.

Former Real Housewives of New York City star Bethenny Frankel started a movement last summer, advocating for reality TV stars to receive residuals for their work, similar to actors and writers. She believes that reality TV takes advantage of its stars.

Additionally, Bravo faced a lawsuit from former Real Housewives of New Jersey star Caroline Manzo, who claimed she was sexually harassed and assaulted by former Beverly Hills Housewife Brandi Glanville during the filming of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip in Morocco. Another former New York City Housewife, Leah McSweeney, filed a lawsuit against Cohen and Bravo in February, accusing them of promoting substance abuse. Glanville also accused Cohen of sexual harassment.

Cohen told Vulture that there was a lot of noise, and he felt sad about it. Despite all the "noise," he mentioned that he and the franchise are still very popular on Watch What Happens Live.

When I walked into BravoCon, it was like a breath of fresh air. It felt like a break from all the drama on Twitter. It was a moment of sanity in the midst of chaos. It may sound unbelievable, but that's how it felt.

Back in May, Cohen talked about Bethenny's "reality reckoning" in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He mentioned that he has a lot to share about that topic.

Reality stars on shows like American Idol, Survivor, The Bachelor, or Below Deck typically only appear for one season or less. Unlike acting, being a reality star is not a full-time profession. Most reality stars have other jobs they balance alongside their TV appearances.

According to Cohen, networks like Bravo pay reality stars through a buyout system. The longer a star remains on a show, the higher their salary becomes. Salaries for long-time reality stars can be quite substantial. Joining a show like Real Housewives is a choice, not a requirement, and individuals must weigh the benefits for themselves.

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The recent "reality reckoning" has sparked heated debates within the industry, with Andy Cohen expressing his mixed emotions. While he acknowledges the criticism and legal challenges faced by the Real Housewives franchise, he remains proud of its popularity and dismisses the "noise" on social media. Cohen emphasizes the network's buyout system for compensating reality stars and highlights the freedom of choice involved in joining such shows.

Despite the controversies, Cohen maintains that BravoCon provided a refreshing break from the online drama. He suggests that reality stars should carefully consider the potential benefits and drawbacks before signing up for these shows, acknowledging that they are not typically full-time professions. However, he also argues that the substantial salaries offered to long-term cast members can be a significant motivating factor.