Andy Cohen Speaks on RHONJ “Leaks” to Bloggers & “Toxicity”

Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo, Andrew Eccles/Bravo

Andy Cohen spoke out for the first time about the Real Housewives of New Jersey cast’s “leaks” to bloggers, claimed the show needs a “new direction,” and suggested it’s time to ‘rebrand.’

Ahead of the current season, an influencer shared screenshots of Teresa Giudice and Jennifer Aydin allegedly leaking info in an apparent plot to expose castmates. The influencer also claimed Teresa’s attorney was involved. Throughout the years, many other castmates in Jersey have been accused of such behavior.

Meanwhile, amid the cast divide, reports have surfaced that a cast shakeup is on the horizon, and the stars won’t film a traditional reunion.

On his Radio Andy show, a fan asked about castmates’ relationships with bloggers, specifically mentioning a report that a blogger attended Melissa and Joe Gorga‘s housewarming party.

“I love the bloggers. They support the show,” said Andy, via @bravosnarkside on Instagram. “What I don’t like is — and it seems like it’s happened with Jersey in … a way that is unlike any other franchise — what I don’t like [is] the amount of leaks.”

“There’s a lot of screenshots coming out from a lot of the castmates, and I think Teresa’s lawyer is somehow involved,” he said. “There are elements to the engagement with bloggers that … have seemed to have added to the toxicity of the show and what this show is supposed to be about. [It’s] about a group of friends and wives and moms and sisters. And when it gets into all of this other mishegoss, that’s when … we kind of lose the plot, and I think that’s partially where we are in New Jersey, which is why we need to figure out a new direction.”

In a clip shared by @rhonjobsessed on Instagram, Andy also agreed with a fan that it’s time to ‘rebrand’ the show. He suggested there’s positive energy with newer castmates Danielle Cabral, Rachel Fuda, and Jenn Fessler, and the show will “figure something out” regarding the other stars.

Also during Monday’s episode of SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live,  Andy shut down the rumors about Kathy Wakile possibly returning to the RHONJ.

He said there was nothing more to Kathy’s appearance on Monday night’s episode of Watch What Happens Live. He states discussions haven’t started yet on the next season of RHONJ.

“There was no intention behind her visit,” said Andy. “Everyone is speculating that it was kind of a soft launch to getting her back. We haven’t even started talking about next season. We want this one to end. We’re gonna let it sit and then we will get into it, so that’s where we are with that, but thank you. She did get a lot of love. I will tell you that. She got a lot of love.”

The Real Housewives of New Jersey season 14 airs Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo.