The Importance of Housewives Embracing Personal Responsibility: Insights from RHOA’s Kandi Burruss
Kandi Burruss addresses Bravo allegations in 'Vanity Fair,' highlighting the importance of Housewives taking personal responsibility She comments on Leah McSweeney's claims of alcohol struggles being exploited Find out more in this revealing interview
Kandi Burruss, the longest-running Real Housewife, disagrees with Leah McSweeney's assertion that she was pressured to drink on the Real Housewives of New York City. During BravoCon on Saturday, November 4, Burruss expressed her disbelief, stating that in her 14 seasons on the show, she has never been influenced to drink and has never been intoxicated.
The star of The Real Housewives of Atlanta emphasized the importance for Bravo stars to take personal accountability, stating that "some type of responsibility for ourselves" is necessary. She further clarified that these remarks were solely her opinion and not intended to criticize anyone.
McSweeney, 41, stated in a recent Vanity Fair article that she was urged by producers to consume alcohol, despite her previous struggles with substance abuse. Bravo, however, dismissed these claims and asserted that they made significant efforts to accommodate her.
The article also featured former Housewife Bethenny Frankel, who criticized the network for not receiving residuals and accused Andy Cohen of crossing boundaries with his questioning. Eboni K. Williams also accused Ramona Singer of using the N-word during the production of season 14 of RHONY. (Cohen, on his part, referred to the article as a "factually inaccurate rehash" during BravoCon, and the network promptly removed Singer from the fan convention lineup after she texted a Page Six reporter using the offensive term.)
The Vanity Fair article and Frankel's call for a "reality TV reckoning" generated a lot of discussion at BravoCon. Kyle Richards, a longtime friend of Frankel and star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, shared a similar perspective to Burress. "I understand that people have mixed opinions about reality television. It has both its drawbacks and its advantages," commented Richards, age 54, during BravoCon. "Speaking from my personal experience, it has been mostly positive, despite everything. If it wasn't a good experience, I wouldn't have been here for 13 years. And any decisions I've made during this time were my own, so I take full responsibility for them. That's how I see it."
Lisa Vanderpump expressed her gratitude to NBC and Bravo for her successful television career. Despite facing recent criticism from former employees, Vanderpump acknowledged the valuable opportunities that both networks have provided.
She went on to say that true authorities always verify their facts and expressed her dissatisfaction with the decline of networks like NBC and Bravo, who have provided numerous opportunities to these individuals.
Vanderpump also addressed Rachel "Raquel" Leviss' appearance on Frankel's podcast, where the former Vanderpump Rules cast member alleged that her relationship with Tom Sandoval was manipulated by the show.
"Though I acknowledge that people have their rights, Raquel mentioned that she was in negotiations to receive higher compensation when considering her return. Therefore, these individuals who are currently complaining, such as Lisa Rinna who suggests boycotting BravoCon, and Bethenny who expresses her own grievances, I believe many of them were actively pitching and requesting their own shows," Vanderpump concluded.
