RHONY’s Leah McSweeney Claps Back, Claims Credit for Show’s Downfall!

Leah McSweeney, known for her role in the contentious seasons of the faltering “Real Housewives of New York,” seems to be making light of the criticism she received by claiming responsibility for the show’s decline.

McSweeney, a younger designer from the Downtown streetwear scene, was seen as a mismatch with the well-to-do Uptown women who had been central to the show for years. Her participation was viewed by many long-time viewers as the beginning of the end for the series.

Following her departure, the Bravo series encountered additional troubles. It was first embroiled in a racism scandal that halted the original format, then underwent a total cast overhaul which failed to win over the audience, leading to its current hiatus as the network plans a revamp.

This week, McSweeney shared several provocative photos on Instagram, seemingly taunting those who blame her for the downfall of their favorite show, boldly captioning her posts: “Just a baddie that ruined your favorite franchise.”

The “Married To The Mob” founder was part of the show from Season 12 in 2020 until Season 13 in 2021, and also appeared on the spin-off “Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip.”

After leaving, she filed a lawsuit against Bravo, network head Andy Cohen, and the production company Shed, alleging they coerced her into drinking alcohol on air despite knowing she was recovering from alcoholism, believing her inebriation would boost ratings.

Cohen has denied these allegations, and the case is currently in court.

The series faced significant backlash during Season 13 after introducing its first-ever black cast member, Eboni K. Williams. This move, intended to address a lack of diversity, backfired when Williams filed a human resources complaint against long-time star Ramona Singer, accusing her of racism.

For Season 14, Bravo introduced a completely new group of stars, including fashion executive Jenna Lyons. Despite efforts to rejuvenate the series with a younger, more diverse cast, the ratings continued to slump.

Earlier this year, the network pulled the show from its lineup and is reportedly preparing to unveil a cast for Season 16 before bringing the series back on air.

Following McSweeney’s controversial Instagram posts, Lyons announced her departure from the show after two seasons.