Leah McSweeney’s bitter legal battle with Andy Cohen and Bravo has reportedly ended in a settlement, closing the case before it could reach trial. The former “Real Housewives of New York City” star accused producers of exploiting her struggle with alcohol addiction and trying to undermine her sobriety for better television. Now, McSweeney has withdrawn the lawsuit, and her attorney says they are pleased with the outcome. The financial terms remain under wraps.
Leah McSweeney’s Attorney Celebrates The Outcome
According to Page Six, McSweeney reached a settlement with Cohen and Bravo after pursuing allegations about her treatment during filming. Her attorney, Gary Adelman of Adelman Matz, told the publication Friday that his client’s fight had reached a satisfactory conclusion. “We are extremely satisfied with the outcome [and] we are proud of Leah and her perseverance.”
The settlement also means the allegations will not be tested at the anticipated trial.
The ‘RHONY’ Alum Accused Producers Of Putting Ratings Before Her Sobriety
McSweeney’s lawsuit centered on her claim that producers saw her drinking as a source of entertainment and pushed her toward alcohol despite knowing about her addiction. The Married to the Mob founder had maintained sobriety for a decade before relapsing shortly before she began filming “RHONY” in 2019. She became sober again before her second season. According to her lawsuit, however, the pressure to drink continued.
The former “Real Housewives of New York City” star alleged that the people behind the show believed she would deliver more compelling television while intoxicated. She also claimed that her experiences on the franchise caused serious psychological and emotional distress.
Her allegations extended beyond alcohol being available during filming. She accused producers of targeting the vulnerabilities she had shared with them.
Her Complaint Described Taunts About Addiction And Mental Health
McSweeney appeared on two seasons of “RHONY” and one season of “Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.” In the lawsuit, she alleged that producers mocked her drinking problems, continued making comments after she asked them to stop, and encouraged fellow cast members to attack her over her mental health and substance use history. She also accused production of coaching other women to disparage her, including by calling her a drug addict.
McSweeney’s case went beyond drinking on reality TV. She accused producers of targeting her addiction and undermining her sobriety. With the settlement, those claims won’t be put to the test at trial.
McSweeney Claimed She Was Prevented From Attending AA Meetings
Another allegation concerned the support McSweeney said she needed to maintain her sobriety while filming “Ultimate Girls Trip.” According to the former “Real Housewives of New York City” star’s complaint, she received assurances beforehand that she would be able to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings during production.
Once filming began, she alleged they told her she could not go. She pointed to the alleged incident as another example of producers making it harder for her to stay sober.
Although the settlement avoids a trial, the lawsuit had already gone through court proceedings, including a November 2024 hearing. Judge Lewis Liman considered arguments involving Bravo’s First Amendment protections and allowed claims concerning the allegedly harmful methods used to pressure McSweeney to continue, according to Page Six.
The case later remained in public court after an effort to move it into private arbitration was rejected.
Andy Cohen Denied Her Cocaine Allegation
McSweeney’s complaint also included an allegation that Cohen used cocaine with favored cast members as part of her broader claim that substance use was rewarded. Cohen denied the accusation.
Through his attorney, he accused McSweeney of attempting a “shakedown” and demanded that she withdraw the cocaine allegation and apologize.
McSweeney did not issue an apology, and the supplied report says Cohen had not filed a separate lawsuit against her.
For now, the dollar figure and other settlement details remain private, while McSweeney’s attorney has made it clear that they are satisfied with how the fight ended.
