Go Inside Andy Cohen's Friendships with Anderson Cooper and John Mayer (PHOTOS)

For 20 seasons, Andy Cohen has invited some of the biggest names in entertainment, sports, politics, and more to be a guest on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen – and while they’re in the Bravo Clubhouse, the talk show host usually gets them to spill some piping hot tea about their lives and of course, on other people.

Throughout the years of hosting WWHL, Andy has developed quite the friendships with his guests. However, two notable celebs have taken what it means to be a friend to the next level by supporting Andy at his workplace and in his personal achievements.

Who are they, you ask? Well, that would be none other than Anderson Cooper and John Mayer.

But how exactly did Andy come to have two powerhouses as his bros? Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about Andy’s friendships with be Anderson Cooper and John Mayer.

Anderson Cooper at Watch What Happens Live in New York City on September 29, 2022; Andy Cohen, at NBC Entertainment's 2022/23 New Season Press Junket in New York City on Monday, May 16, 2022; John Mayer on Watch What Happens Live in New York City on October 02, 2023. Photo: Heidi Gutman/Bravo via Getty Images; Cindy Ord/NBCUniversal/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images; Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images

Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper’s Friendship

How did Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper meet?

Andy and Anderson originally met back in the ‘90s. In 2017, during a joint appearance on The Tonight Show, Anderson admitted that he first met Andy when their friends attempted to set them up on a blind date.

“We had a phone call to set up the date,” Anderson said before revealing he and Andy worked at ABC and CBS at the time. “I knew within 45 seconds I was never going on a date with Andy Cohen.”

As for the dealbreaker between the two — it was Andy's curiosity about Anderson’s mother, Gloria Vanderbilt. "I wanted to date the Vanderbilt boy! I was excited!" Andy exclaimed.

Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper’s Friendship Timeline

Andy and Anderson might not have worked in the love department, but they were able to build a strong friendship.

In December 2010, Anderson made his first appearance on WWHL, and what seemed like a one-time thing eventually led to multiple visits. What’s more, five years later, the duo announced that they were joining forces to travel across the country for the AC2 tour.

As Anderson told The Daily Dish at the time, "It's what it'd be like to hang out with us for a little.” He added, "It's all unscripted and unplanned. We want it to be an interactive show, a peek behind the curtain, stuff you won't see on television."

That wasn’t the only project Andy and Anderson worked on together. In 2017, Andy became Anderson’s partner in crime to host New Year's Eve Live.

Just a year later, Andy entered into a new chapter of life as he took on parenthood, which he announced on his Bravo show. Andy welcomed his son, Benjamin Allen Cohen, via a surrogate February 4, 2019.

Days later, “Uncle Anderson” met Andy’s now 4-year-old son, Benjamin Allen Cohen. Andy documented the cute moment on his social feed.

Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper host CNN's New Year's Eve coverage at Times Square on December 31, 2017 in New York City. Photo: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

In April 2020, Anderson joined fatherhood when he welcomed his first son, Wyatt Cooper, via a surrogate. Of course, Andy was excited for his bestie and shared his reaction on social media.

"New life, new hope!'" Andy wrote in the caption to a photo of Anderson holding his newborn son and giving him a sweet, little kiss on the forehead. "Wyatt Cooper, you couldn’t have come at a better time! I know a friend who can’t wait to meet you.”  

In February 2022, Anderson’s second child, Sebastian, was born. And in Andy fashion, you bet he took to his Instagram to capture his and Ben’s picture-perfect meeting of Anderson’s newborn.

Two months later, Andy also welcomed another child via a surrogate, a baby girl named Lucy Eve Cohen. 

Andy Cohen's Summer With His Kids Is Getting the Best Reactions From Bravolebrities

After two kids each, numerous WWHL appearances, and embarking on many epic vacations, Anderson and Andy’s bond is still going strong!

Anderson Cooper’s recent visit to the Bravo Clubhouse

Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper at the BravoCon: Legends Ball Episode at Bravocon 2022 on October 14, 2022. Photo: Scott Gries/Bravo via Getty Images

On September 28, the journalist and TV host stopped by the Bravo Clubhouse for an episode of WWHL, where he and Andy revealed new details about their friendship.

During a game of “Textual Behavior” (clip above), Andy asked Anderson if he preferred a phone call or FaceTime. Andy shared that Anderson often uses the video chat feature to communicate with him.

“I would like to point out that you FaceTime me,” Andy told his longtime buddy. “Yeah, we FaceTime each other,” Anderson concurred.

Later in the WWHL episode, Andy read a viewer-submitted question that asked Anderson about his first thoughts after being asked to appear as the gay shark at BravoCon 2022.

“I was thrilled,” he admitted. “I loved it, it was super fun.”

Andy Cohen Just Did *This* for the First Time on WWHL

Andy Cohen and John Mayer’s Friendship

How did Andy Cohen and John Mayer meet?

Andy and John have been friends for many years, but neither have mentioned how or where they first met. However, Andy has opened up about the pair’s shared love for music.

“John Mayer and I have what some would consider an unlikely friendship… We do have one thing that bonds us: our love of the Grateful Dead. So when the band did five shows this summer—their last ever—we used their Santa Clara, Calif., gigs as an excuse to take a road trip and bro it up,” Andy wrote in an August 2015 article for Entertainment Weekly.

Andy Cohen and John Mayer’s Friendship Timeline

Like Andy’s other good friends, John has made numerous scheduled appearances in the Bravo Clubhouse. John has even surprised his BFF on WWHL a few times, one of those moments being on Andy’s 50th birthday when John gave an impromptu performance.

That isn’t the only special occasion John has supported Andy through. The “Gravity” singer and many Real Housewives attended Andy’s baby shower in 2019.

Spring to February 2022, John was by Andy’s side in the City of Angels when Andy received a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In honor of the special occasion, John said a few words on his close friend’s behalf, “[Andy’s] voice on radio, his humor and charm on his nightly late night talk show, and his reality TV dynasty all bring a much-needed ray of sunshine into our lives.”

John Mayer and Andy Cohen attend the Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Ceremony for Andy Cohen on February 04, 2022 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images

John isn’t just a close friend to Andy. In fact, he has also struck up a tight bond with Andy’s mom, Evelyn. During the summer of 2023, Andy posted a photo of his mom steaming a shirt for John on social media.

“My mom stops at nothing to help other house guests,” Andy captioned his August 15 Instagram post.

As mentioned earlier, John and Andy love music. So, you better believe Andy took time from his schedule to support his friend at a recent concert. On October 4, Andy and his son Ben attended John's tour, which was at Madison Square Garden.

“Come, hear Uncle John’s Band,” Andy wrote to a series of Instagram photos, one including him holding Ben up on his shoulder as they watched John perform. “First concert of what I hope will be a long run of them!”

Andy Cohen's Daughter Lucy Stopped by the WWHL Clubhouse for a Picture-Perfect Moment

John Mayer’s recent visit to the Bravo Clubhouse

Andy Cohen and John Mayer at Watch What Happens Live in New York City. Photo: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

John appeared on the October 2 episode of WWHL, where he and Andy let viewers in on their friendship a little more. During a game of “Hot Po-Titty,” Andy and John shared things they love about each other.

“You are so loyal. I love that about you,” Andy told John.

“I love your FaceTimes when you’re laying in bed in a hotel room when you’re bored,” John said right before Andy repeated that he loves that the artist does the same thing.

Tune in to WWHL on Bravo Sunday through Thursday and next day on Peacock. Catch up on the Bravo App.