Andy Cohen Dishes on BravoCon: Behind-the-Scenes Insights From the 'Ask Andy' Session
Get the inside scoop from the ‘Ask Andy’ panel at BravoCon 2023, where Andy Cohen spills the tea on Bethenny, upcoming RHONJ season, his stay, Jeff Lewis' relationship with Kyle Richards, potential return of Jenna Lyons to RHONY, his admiration for RHOSLC’s Monica Garcia, and his dating status
The 2023 edition of BravoCon commenced in Las Vegas on Friday, November 3, commencing with a panel discussion that included the prominent figurehead, Andy Cohen.
Cohen, aged 55, engaged in a conversation with his friend Jeff Lewis, discussing the history and current status of Bravo's star personalities, as well as the prospective developments of different Real Housewives franchises. In his typical fashion, Cohen avoided declaring a single Housewife as his personal favorite, but he vehemently opposed Lewis's attempts to discredit Crystal Kung Minkoff, a star of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
"Justice for Crystal!" exclaimed Cohen, as he stood on the prestigious Gold Stage at the Caesars Forum.
In addition, Cohen swiftly came to the defense of Monica Garcia, a newcomer to the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, when Lewis criticized her lack of inspirational storylines. "She made quite an impressive entrance," remarked the Bravo executive to the gathered audience.
Keep scrolling for more revelations from the “Ask Andy” panel:
Staying Mum on Bethenny
During the Q&A session, an audience member attempted to ask a question about Bethenny Frankel, but Lewis quickly dismissed it, stating, "I prefer not to discuss that." (Frankel, aged 52, has been advocating for reality stars to form a union and recently spoke out about her experiences on Bravo in an exposé featured in Vanity Fair.)
On the other hand, Cohen expressed his desire to focus on the positive aspects. "The shows on Bravo bring immense joy and happiness to millions of viewers, which is why we are all gathered here – to have a good time," he remarked. "I absolutely love the happiness that these shows bring to people, and I believe we all do. That's where I'm coming from."
Andy Cohen and Bethenny Frankel. Rommel Demano/Getty Images
What’s to Come on ‘RHONJ’ Season 14
Cohen has confirmed that the focus of The Real Housewives of New Jersey in season 14 will not be on the ongoing feud between Melissa Gorga and Teresa Giudice. He expressed that the season brings a refreshing change as the two of them simply hate each other. Once that animosity is resolved, the show can explore other storylines, and Cohen believes that this will be particularly interesting for viewers due to the emergence of new alliances.
Where Andy’s Staying
A source informed us that in the upcoming season of RHONJ, there will be minimal interaction between Giudice and Gorga, with no real resolution between the sisters-in-law. Moreover, the episodes will focus less on the conflicts within the family. Our insider explained that the entire season has revolved around filming separate scenes with Melissa and Teresa. The producers' strategy is to create storylines within each group of friends, ensuring that every group experiences different drama. This approach aims to avoid solely focusing on the Melissa and Teresa drama and instead capture a variety of stories.
While the majority of the Bravolebrities in attendance have opted for accommodations in two Las Vegas hotels, Cohen has chosen to book his own separate lodging away from the hustle and bustle. "It was a decision I made," he chuckled.
Andy Cohen. Roy Rochlin/Getty Images
Where Jeff Lewis Stands With Kyle Richards
Lewis and RHOBH star Kyle Richards have reconciled after Lewis made a derogatory comment about her on Ozempic. However, despite being invited, Richards did not attend Lewis' pre-BravoCon party on November 2nd. Additionally, they have not seen each other in person since August, according to Cohen. Regarding the first episode of RHOBH season 13, Lewis watched it and noticed tension between Richards and her husband, Mauricio Umansky. Lewis believes that Richards strongly dislikes Mauricio.
Lewis also claimed that RHOBH’s Dorit Kemsley has him blocked on Instagram. “I’m going to confront,” he quipped.
Will Jenna Lyons Return to ‘RHONY’?
Cohen refrained from providing any concrete updates regarding the cast of The Real Housewives of New York City. However, he indirectly acknowledged rumors surrounding Jenna Lyons' potential departure by expressing his optimism that all the new RHONY stars will be back for season 15.
Why Andy Likes RHOSLC’s Monica Garcia
"In her second episode, there was a moment when she experienced insecurity about her attire," Cohen stated, specifically referencing Garcia's confession about purchasing a new Louis Vuitton bag for a girls' trip. "I found it to be one of the most relatable and impactful moments on a Housewives show."
Cohen further recognized that the other members of the RHOSLC cast might hold resentment towards Mary Cosby for not fully engaging in their shared activities. "She may make an appearance, but her level of participation is lacking," he elaborated.
Andy Cohen and Monica Garcia. Charles Sykes/Bravo
Is Andy Dating Anyone?
Cohen disclosed that he is currently not in a committed relationship but is open to exploring his romantic prospects through various dating apps. In a lighthearted manner, he shared that he has profiles on Tinder, Raya, Hinge, and Grindr, among others. In a humorous twist, he mentioned that he doesn't require his dates to sign any confidentiality agreements.
When questioned about the viral video from June, where he was seen with a man on his lap, Cohen responded, "It was during Gay Pride!" He further explained, "I'm currently single, and there's no reason to feel ashamed for enjoying myself on a night off from parenting."
In response to Lewis' query about whether he has met the man again, Cohen stated, "We communicate through text messages."
With reporting by Sarah Hearon and Andrea Simpson
