star Leah McSweeney’s lawsuit against Andy Cohen, the Bravo network, and others involved in the Real Housewives franchise has made progress. Leah, who is a former cast member of of New York and Bravo’s Ultimate Girls Trip, alleged in her lawsuit that the defendants purposely made her fall off the wagon so ratings would soar. The ex-reality star now has a court date for oral arguments, making her most likely the first cast member to be able to argue her suit against Bravo in open court - even though she isn’t the first Real Housewives cast member to sue the reality show network.
star Nene Leakes sued Bravo in April 2022; however, the case never landed in court. Additionally, Real Housewives of New Jersey star Caroline Manzo filed a lawsuit against Bravo in January 2024 — this legal case is still pending. In Leah’s suit, she alleged that RHONY’s ratings were the highest ever when one of the show’s stars looked to be confused, irrational, or out of touch with reality.
Her attorneys claim that producers exploited her vulnerabilities. Leah was fighting alcohol addiction when she became a Real Housewives cast member, and she also has had a history of mental health issues. Leah’s lawyers claim that show producers viewed her conditions as a way to draw in a huge audience, and so they played mind games on her until she reacted.
Leah claimed that production successfully was able to get her back to drinking in their first claimed attempt, but when they tried a second tim.
