Bravo host Andy Cohen responded to criticism on Sunday regarding the presence of “MAGA women” on “The Real Housewives” show. A user on Cohen’s Threads account questioned the political leanings of the women on the series, specifically “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” Cohen addressed this during a Q&A session while on a plane.
Cohen denied political intentions within the show, stating, “If we didn’t showcase people with different POVs, there would be no show. Also, it’s a show about the women and their relationships, not about politics.” He emphasized the importance of diverse perspectives, suggesting that the series isn’t politically driven.
Fox News Digital sought comment from NBCUniversal, Bravo TV’s parent company, but no immediate response was available. Over recent years, several former “Real Housewives” participants have remarked on facing backlash due to conservative viewpoints.
In 2021, Kelly Dodd, a former “Real Housewives of Orange County” star, faced criticism and was eventually dismissed from the series. She made controversial statements regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and was accused of mocking the Black Lives Matter movement. On Jamie Kennedy’s podcast, she expressed feeling targeted by cancel culture. “I feel like if you don’t believe along the same lines, they don’t like you. I feel like I am an outcast,” Dodd stated.
Other former cast members echoed similar sentiments. Annemarie Wiley, from “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” shared her experience with Fox News Digital. She claimed her conservative views on issues like protecting girls’ sports led to a “terrible edit” and exclusion from the show after 2024.
Wiley noted, “I was given a terrible edit by Bravo and I found out after the season was finished when they didn’t invite me back, that that was the reason. I was conservative.” Although originally liberal, Wiley recounted how her show experience prompted her to reconsider political affiliations.
Certain cast members noted repercussions for political beliefs even when not identifying as conservative. Jill Zarin, from “Real Housewives of New York,” criticized Hollywood peers for overlooking hostage situations during the Israel-Hamas conflict, noting a lack of awareness compared to other movements.
For further details on this story, Lindsay Kornick, an associate editor for Fox News Digital, can be contacted by email or Twitter. Elizabeth Heckman also contributed to this report.
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