Andy Cohen has addressed Brandi Glanville‘s claims that he sexually harassed her. While the Bravo boss apologized for making an “inappropriate” comment toward the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, he noted that he was also “very clearly joking” with her.
In a legal letter obtained by Variety on Thursday (Feb. 22), Glanville alleged that an “obviously inebriated” Cohen sent her a video message revealing “his intention to sleep with another Bravo star that night while thinking of her and invited her to watch via FaceTime.”
Glanville’s attorneys state that she felt “trapped” and “disgusted” by Cohen’s remark.
“Mr. Cohen was Ms. Glanville’s boss at the time and exercised complete and total control over her career,” the letter adds, per Page Six.
It continues, “This was an extraordinary abuse of power that left Ms. Glanville feeling trapped and disgusted. It is inconceivable that Mr. Cohen remains in his post in spite of this behavior and harkens back to the bad old days of Matt Lauer and NBC News when profits were prioritized over people.”
Cohen later addressed Glanville’s accusations on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter).
“The video shows Kate Chastain and I very clearly joking to Brandi,” he wrote. “It was absolutely meant in jest, and Brandi’s response clearly communicated she was in on the joke. That said, it was totally inappropriate and I apologize.”
Glanville, for her part, has been the center of Bravo drama ever since it was reported that she and Caroline Manzo abruptly left The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip after Glanville allegedly sexually abused Manzo. The former Real Housewives of New Jersey star filed a lawsuit against Bravo last month, claiming the network “allowed, condoned and even encouraged” Glanville’s “sexually aggressive and offensive conduct” when they were filming the reality show in January 2023.
While Manzo’s suit claims Glanville allegedly “groped, grabbed and forcibly fondled Manzo’s vagina and breasts” without her consent, she is not listed alongside Bravo, Shed Media, Peacock and NBCUniversal as a defendant.
Glanville has fervently denied any wrongdoing.
“Sadly, Brandi had to wake up to yet another lawsuit that includes defamatory, false accusations about her,” her lawyers said in a statement to Decider. “While filming, Brandi followed what the producers asked of her, and there was no sexual assault. She is innocent of these absurd accusations that have weighed on her mental and physical health for far too long without a word of support from Peacock, Shed or Bravo.”
The added, “This painful storytelling seems endless and needs to stop. She is looking to move on and upward and get her life back.”
If you or someone you know needs to reach out about sexual abuse or assault, RAINN is available 24/7 at 800-656-HOPE (4673), or online at RAINN.org.