Bravo Scandal Erupts: Andy Cohen Accused of ‘Smoking While Drunk’ – Leah McSweeney’s Legal Team Drops Bombshell Evidence!

The legal battle between Real Housewives of New York City alum Leah McSweeney and Bravo parent company NBCUniversal just took a surprising turn — and this time, it involves none other than Bravo’s kingpin himself,

Andy Cohen.

Newly surfaced court documents filed by McSweeney’s legal team reveal a startling — and rather unexpected — claim: that Andy Cohen allegedly smokes cigarettes when intoxicated. The detail was mentioned as part of a larger argument in McSweeney’s explosive lawsuit, where she accuses the network and its executives of fostering a toxic, alcohol-fueled work environment on reality TV.

💼 The Shocking Filing

According to the court motion, McSweeney’s attorney referenced Cohen’s alleged personal behavior to underscore the network’s “culture of substance use and recklessness,” which they claim Bravo knowingly promoted and enabled behind the scenes.

“Mr. Cohen, the executive face of Bravo, has himself been witnessed smoking cigarettes while intoxicated — a reflection of the party culture that permeates the production environment,” the documents state.

While the filing does not claim Cohen’s behavior directly harmed McSweeney, her legal team appears to be using the detail to paint a broader picture of the network’s alleged tolerance — or even encouragement — of substance use among cast and crew.

🧨 Part of a Bigger Lawsuit

This revelation is part of McSweeney’s ongoing lawsuit filed earlier this year, in which she accuses Bravo, NBCUniversal, and production companies of:

• Creating a hostile and unsafe work environment
  ,
• Exploiting her struggles with alcoholism, and
• Failing to offer proper mental health support during her time on RHONY and Ultimate Girls Trip.

McSweeney, who has been publicly open about her sobriety journey, claims producers

pressured her to drink and created scenarios that triggered her mental health issues — all for the sake of drama and ratings.

🎙️ Andy Cohen’s Team Responds

At this time,

Andy Cohen has not publicly addressed the smoking allegation. However, a Bravo insider reportedly told People that the claim is “a distraction tactic” and “has no relevance to the actual claims being made.”

Cohen, who has cultivated a fun-loving, party-friendly persona as the longtime host of Watch What Happens Live! and executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise, has occasionally joked about drinking during reunions and wrap parties — but this is the first time his alleged off-camera habits have been cited in a court of law.

⚖️ Legal Experts Weigh In

Legal analysts note that while the smoking claim may seem minor, it could be a strategic move to show patterns of behavior and culture at the top of Bravo’s leadership.

“It’s less about the cigarette and more about the message: that this is a network where partying is normalized — even by its top executive,” said legal expert Maria Jameson.

“If McSweeney’s team can tie that culture to negligence or exploitation, it could support her broader claims.”

🧠 Mental Health & Reality TV

McSweeney’s case also highlights growing concerns about the mental health toll of reality television. In recent years, multiple Bravo stars — from Bethenny Frankel to Nene Leakes — have spoken out about the emotional strain, lack of support, and blurred ethical lines behind the scenes.

This lawsuit could set a precedent for how networks address sobriety, mental health, and cast welfare in unscripted television moving forward.

🚨 What Happens Next?

The case is still in early stages, but sources say both sides are preparing for a lengthy legal battle. If the lawsuit proceeds to trial, more behind-the-scenes details about Bravo’s production practices — and its biggest names — could come to light.

As for Andy Cohen, fans are waiting to see if he’ll address the allegations directly or let his legal team do the talking.

Stay tuned for updates as this story continues to unfold — and as Bravo faces one of its most high-profile legal challenges yet.

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