Andy Cohen Addresses Ongoing Conflict 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 spoke out about the "reality reckoning" during an interview with Vulture. The producer of Real Housewives expressed his thoughts on the challenges the popular Bravo franchise has faced in the past year, including lawsuits and allegations of misconduct.

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.

In addition, 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 while filming The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip in Morocco. Another former New York City Housewife, Leah McSweeney, filed a lawsuit against Andy Cohen and Bravo in February, accusing them of promoting substance abuse. Glanville also accused Cohen of sexual harassment.

Cohen shared with Vulture that there was a lot of noise which made him feel sad. Despite this, he mentioned that he and the franchise remain very popular.

When I walked into BravoCon, it felt like a breath of fresh air compared to all the drama on Twitter. It was a moment of sanity away from all the clickbait, you know?

Andy Cohen had previously talked about Frankel's "reality reckoning" back in May. He mentioned that he has a lot to share about that.

On shows like American Idol, Survivor, The Bachelor, or Below Deck, most reality stars only appear for one season or even less. Unlike acting, being a reality star is not a full-time profession. Typically, reality stars have other jobs.

According to Cohen, Bravo pays reality stars through a buyout system. The longer you stay on the show, the higher your salary becomes. Those who have been on the show for a long time earn really high salaries. Being on Real Housewives is a choice, not an obligation. It's up to the individual to decide if being on the show will benefit them in some way.

Editor's P/S:

The recent controversies surrounding Bravo's Real Housewives franchise have sparked a much-needed conversation about the treatment of reality TV stars. Host Andy Cohen has acknowledged the need for a "reality reckoning," with issues ranging from compensation to allegations of misconduct. While the lawsuits and accusations have tarnished the reputation of the franchise, Cohen insists that both he and the series remain immensely popular.

Despite the ongoing drama, Cohen emphasizes that the decision to participate in reality TV is ultimately up to the individual. It's important to recognize that being a reality star is not a full-time profession for most, and they should be compensated fairly for their contributions. The buyout system currently employed by Bravo may need to be reevaluated to ensure that stars are justly rewarded for their time and efforts. It remains to be seen how the franchise will address these concerns, but it's clear that the days of exploiting reality TV stars are coming to an end.