Lisa Vanderpump Says Andy Cohen Should Not Step Down: “Damn Right I’m on His Side”

Zoe G Phillips
·2 min read
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Lisa Vanderpump hopes to never see Bravo boss Andy Cohen step down. The reality star spoke about her “close relationship” with him and said there’s “no way” the allegations against him are true.

Vanderpump appeared on The Talk on Tuesday, where she was asked by co-host Natalie Morales where she stood in regard to allegations against Cohen. The Watch What Happens Live host was recently accused of engaging in drug use with several Housewives stars and faces multiple lawsuits alleging workplace harassment.

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“I’ve had a very close relationship with Andy over the years,” Vanderpump said. “Andy and I have always had a very playful relationship. I think I’ve been one of the few people that have done Watch What Happens Live on their own for many years, and had a kind of very connected relationship, and he’s playful. He’s appropriately naughty, like I am, too. I mean, that’s what Bravo is most of the time.”

Vanderpump said Cohen’s playfulness is “innocuous,” adding, “He’s a gay man that we have a lot of fun with. So, am I on his side? Damn right, I’m on his side.”

The reality star added, “These allegations seem to come from people that are no longer working for Bravo.” In response to a question about whether the claims would cause him to leave, she said, “Well, I hope not. I really do.”

In February, former Real Housewives of New York City star Leah McSweeney filed a suit naming Cohen alongside Bravo, NBC/Universal, production house Shed Media US and producers John Paparazzo, Lisa Shannon and Darren Ward. It alleged that, while aware of the designer’s issues with alcohol and fragile mental health, producers allegedly coerced and coaxed her into drinking alcohol while shooting two seasons of RHONY and one season of a spinoff show. The suit also targeted Cohen specifically, accusing him of playing favorites with those who party with him. A rep for Cohen said at the time that the claims were “completely false.”

That same month, former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Brandi Glanville sent a letter to NBC Universal, Warner Bros. and Shed Media alleging that Cohen sent her a video in 2022 in which he appeared “obviously inebriated” and “boasted” that he wanted to “sleep with another Bravo star” while “thinking” about Glanville. He also allegedly invited her to watch him engage in the sexual act over FaceTime. Cohen wrote on social media in response, at the time, that the video “was absolutely meant in jest,” but added, “it was totally inappropriate and I apologize.”

Vanderpump said on Tuesday, “When it comes to drug allegations, a thousand percent I would know, and no way does it happen.”

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