Andy Cohen Apologizes for ‘Totally Inappropriate’ Video Sent to Former Real Housewives Star
In a shocking turn of events, Andy Cohen, the well-known host of “Watch What Happens Live,” has issued an apology for a video he sent to former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, Brandi Glanville. Glanville claimed that the video was sexually harassing in nature, and her lawyers have described it as an “extraordinary abuse of power.” The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of reality TV stars and the need for change within the industry.
The controversy began when Page Six obtained a letter from Glanville’s attorneys addressed to NBCUniversal, Shed Media, and Warner Bros. In the letter, Glanville’s lawyers accused Cohen of sending her a video in 2022 while he was “obviously inebriated.” The video allegedly contained explicit content, with Cohen expressing his intention to sleep with another Bravo star that night while thinking of Glanville. He even invited her to watch via FaceTime.
Glanville’s lawyers condemned Cohen’s behavior, stating that it left her feeling “trapped and disgusted.” They drew parallels to past scandals involving figures like Matt Lauer and NBC News, where profits were prioritized over people. The letter did not name the other Bravo star involved in the video, but Cohen identified her as Kate Chastain, a well-known cast member on Bravo shows Below Deck and The Traitors.
Cohen took to Twitter to respond to the allegations, admitting that the video was “totally inappropriate.” However, he insisted that it was sent and received “in jest.” According to him, the video was a joke between him, Chastain, and Glanville. He claimed that Glanville’s response clearly indicated that she was in on the joke. Nevertheless, Cohen expressed remorse for his actions and offered a sincere apology.
New York magazine reached out to Glanville’s lawyers for their thoughts on Cohen’s response. In a statement, they criticized his apology as another example of the abusive practices prevalent in the reality TV industry. They urged other victims of mistreatment to come forward and join their fight for change. Glanville’s lawyers, Bryan Freedman and Mark Geragos, are well-known figures in the industry. They previously represented former Real Housewives of New York City star Bethenny Frankel in her allegations against television executives.
Geragos has been vocal about the need for reform in the reality TV industry. Last year, he revealed that he had heard from around 50 victims who had experienced abuse and mistreatment on various shows. He described the current system as broken and called for change. In August, Geragos and Freedman sent a legal letter to NBC and Bravo on behalf of “a significant number of individuals,” accusing the networks of grotesque and depraved mistreatment of their stars.
Interestingly, Glanville herself has recently been accused of sexual harassment by another Bravo figure, Caroline Manzo. Manzo, a former Real Housewives of New Jersey star, alleged that Glanville forcibly kissed her and engaged in other inappropriate behavior during the filming of Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Morocco. Manzo claimed that producers were aware of the harassment but failed to intervene.
Glanville has vehemently denied Manzo’s allegations, adding another layer of complexity to the ongoing controversies within the reality TV world. As more individuals come forward with their stories, it becomes increasingly evident that change is necessary to address the systemic mistreatment and exploitation of reality TV stars.
The incident involving Andy Cohen and Brandi Glanville serves as a wake-up call for the industry. It highlights the power dynamics at play and the urgent need for reform. The apology from Cohen is a step in the right direction, but it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure the safety and well-being of reality TV stars. As Glanville’s lawyers encourage other victims to speak out, it remains to be seen how this scandal will impact the future of reality television.