Leah McSweeney, a former star of The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY), has escalated her legal battle against Bravo and its executive producer Andy Cohen, alleging a vicious smear campaign orchestrated to tarnish her reputation. In a shocking new court filing, McSweeney claims that Cohen enlisted 24 Bravo celebrities to publicly discredit her following her bombshell lawsuit against the network and its prominent host.
A Coordinated Attack?
According to court documents obtained by The Sun, McSweeney, 42, accuses Cohen of rallying a group of Bravo stars to attack her character after she filed a lawsuit in February 2024. The lawsuit alleged a toxic workplace culture at Bravo, claiming Cohen fostered an environment that encouraged substance abuse and exploited cast members for ratings. McSweeney, who has been open about her struggles with sobriety, further accused Cohen of using cocaine with Housewives stars, a claim he has vehemently denied.
In her latest filing, McSweeney alleges that Cohen’s response to her lawsuit was a calculated effort to silence her. She claims he “weaponized” 24 Bravo personalities, instructing them to make public statements or social media posts that painted her as unstable and untrustworthy. The filing suggests this was a deliberate attempt to undermine her credibility and sway public opinion against her.
The Fallout from the Lawsuit
McSweeney’s initial lawsuit sent shockwaves through the Bravo universe, with allegations that Cohen not only enabled but encouraged a party-heavy culture on set. She claimed that producers pressured her to drink alcohol despite her history of addiction, creating a harmful work environment. The lawsuit also named Bravo’s parent company, NBCUniversal, and production companies Shed Media and Warner Bros., accusing them of negligence and retaliation.
Cohen, 56, has dismissed the allegations as “baseless” and denied any wrongdoing. His legal team has argued that McSweeney’s claims are an attempt to exploit her time on RHONY for financial gain. In response to the smear campaign accusations, sources close to Cohen told The Sun that the Bravo stars who spoke out against McSweeney did so of their own accord, not at Cohen’s direction. They emphasized that Cohen has maintained professional relationships with many Housewives and has no history of orchestrating such campaigns.
Bravo Stars Caught in the Crossfire
While the court documents do not name the 24 Bravo celebrities allegedly involved, speculation has run rampant among fans. Social media platforms like X have been abuzz with theories about which Housewives or other Bravo personalities might have been part of the alleged smear campaign. Some fans pointed to past tensions between McSweeney and her RHONY co-stars, including Ramona Singer and Luann de Lesseps, as possible clues. However, no concrete evidence has been made public to confirm the identities of those involved.
McSweeney’s filing argues that the coordinated nature of the statements—many of which reportedly criticized her mental health and sobriety—indicates a deliberate effort orchestrated by Cohen. She claims this caused significant emotional and professional harm, further isolating her within the Bravo community.
A History of Controversy
This isn’t the first time Cohen or Bravo has faced legal scrutiny. In recent years, other Bravo stars, including Bethenny Frankel, have spoken out about the network’s alleged mistreatment of talent, sparking a broader conversation about reality TV working conditions. McSweeney’s lawsuit, however, is one of the most high-profile challenges to Cohen’s influence as the face of Bravo’s Housewives franchise.
McSweeney appeared on RHONY for two seasons (2020-2021) and briefly returned for The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip. Her outspoken personality and candid discussions about her personal struggles made her a fan favorite, but also led to clashes with castmates and producers. She has since positioned herself as an advocate for better treatment of reality TV stars, using her platform to call out what she describes as exploitative practices.
What’s Next?
As the legal battle unfolds, McSweeney’s allegations have reignited debates about power dynamics in reality television. Her claims against Cohen and Bravo could have far-reaching implications for the network, potentially prompting other stars to come forward with similar grievances. Meanwhile, Cohen continues to host Watch What Happens Live and oversee Bravo’s expansive slate of reality shows, maintaining his status as a central figure in the industry.
Neither Cohen nor Bravo has issued a public statement regarding the latest filing. However, sources close to the network told The Sun that Bravo intends to fight the lawsuit vigorously, dismissing McSweeney’s claims as exaggerated and unfounded.
As the case heads toward a potential trial, fans are left wondering how this drama will play out—both in the courtroom and on their TV screens. For now, McSweeney remains steadfast in her pursuit of justice, determined to hold Bravo and Cohen accountable for what she describes as a ruthless attempt to destroy her reputation.