Brandi Glanville – a former cast member of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” and “Ultimate Girls Trip” – has accused Bravo's “Watch What Happens Live” host and “Real Housewives” executive producer Andy Cohen of sexual harassment in a lengthy letter From its legal representation.
Glanville sent a letter from her attorney, Brian Friedman, to NBCUniversal, Shed Media, and Shed's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery, claiming that a “drunk” Cohen sent her a video message explaining his “intent to sleep with another Bravo star that night while he was thinking.” From her and invited her to watch via Facetime.
The letter goes on to note that Glanville felt “trapped” and “disgusted” by the nature of Cohen’s exchange.
Shortly after the message was posted, Cohen issued his own statement explaining that the video was “very clearly” a prank on Glanville, and featured former Below Deck star Kate Chastain.
“It was completely meant as a joke, and Brandi's response clearly indicated that she was aware of the joke. However, it was completely inappropriate and I apologize.”
The letter arrives nearly a month after her co-star Caroline Manzo from the yet-to-air reality series “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip” filed a lawsuit against Bravo, NBCU and Shed, alleging she was sexually harassed and assaulted by Glanville while she was… Photography in Morocco.
Manzo, who previously appeared on The Real Housewives of New Jersey, alleges that Glanville forcibly kissed her and touched her vagina and breasts during a taping of an episode.
the suit, Filed in state court in New Yorkalso alleges that Bravo and the network's ancillary production arms knew of Glanville's inappropriate behavior in the past but hired her anyway to drum up ratings on their new reality series.
In a letter dated February 22, Friedman wrote that in Manzo's lawsuit, Glanville was subjected to “an aggressive media campaign based on false allegations of sexual misconduct.” The false narrative, which NBC and Shed Media apparently decided to sensationalize, stems from Ms. Glanville’s experience on “Ultimate Girls Trip: Morocco.”
Calling Manzo's allegations “character assassination” that led to “financial ruin” for Glanville, her representation places blame on both NBC and Shed Media stating that they “intentionally reconstruct a series of intimate moments between two consenting adults in a #MeToo scenario.” This is an attempt. Clear to sever ties with Ms. Glanville in a manner designed to deny her asylum, discredit her, and ward off damaging revelations that Ms. Glanville is uniquely positioned to make.
The letter also notes that the company is conducting an ongoing investigation into the reality TV production process. “Indeed, Ms. Glanville has long been exploited by institutions with whom she is closely associated personally, professionally, financially and in the public mind. Her story — one of thousands we heard during our investigation into the practices of the reality TV industry — is an integral part of the “reality reckoning.”
The letter was sent in hopes of preserving Glanville's evidence, “since our client is claiming rights that may lead to litigation.” The notice of duty directed recipients of the letter to “take immediate steps to preserve all existing documents and data related to Ms. Glanville's claims against NBC, Warner Bros., Shed Media, and/or Caroline Manzo to prevent overwriting or other possible destruction.” “Relevant documents and data.” This includes all correspondence and electronic communications between the parties listed in the message as well as all audio and video files produced by “Ultimate Girls Trip: Morocco.”
An NBCU spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“Infuriatingly humble web fan. Writer. Alcohol geek. Passionate explorer. Evil problem solver. Incurable zombie expert.”
