Andy Cohen Calls “Housewives” a 'Feminist Show' and Reveals Which “RHOBH” Star He Initially Didn't Want to Join

"We celebrate strong women," the executive producer of the franchise said of the 11 show series

Andy Cohen has a clear vision of what the Real Housewives franchise is — or should be.

In a new profile for The Hollywood Reporter, Cohen, 55, discussed whether the franchise, which consists of 11 shows, is the “gayest show on mainstream TV,” as he defended the “superstars” who make up the beloved, drama-filled world.

“Bravo is a network for women and gay men, mostly run by women and gay men, and we each bring different perspectives to the table,” he said of the franchise’s home network. “Gays love our divas. We celebrate strong women. I think the women on our shows are superstars. Also, gay men appreciate women of all ages, especially women over 45. At Housewives, unlike many other places, age is no barrier to being a superstar.”

The women behind the camera “bring their own unique sensibilities and storylines,” he continued, before claiming, “I think it’s really a feminist show because it can be about women finding their voice or finding their power or discovering their sexuality.”

Related: Andy Cohen Thinks Bette Midler Would Be the 'Grand Dame of Beverly Hills' If She Joined RHOBH

Cohen admitted to having “debated Gloria Steinem” about whether the franchise, on which he serves as executive producer, can be called feminist on a previous episode of Watch What Happens Live.

“She called Housewives a minstrel show for women! I know that some feminist critics say it’s just a gay male conception of women, but you know what? They’re wrong!” he hit back, before listing some fan-favorite women from the show as examples. “If you look at Luann [de Lesseps] and Sonja [Morgan] and even Ramona [Singer], you saw them getting divorced, and they wound up really finding themselves as sexual beings. Others go through traumas and find great empowerment.”

Elsewhere in the profile, Cohen spilled on casting the iconic shows — and revealed one star who he was initially hesitant to let in.

"I actually have mixed feelings about having stars on the show," he admitted. "When Lisa Rinna was trying out for season one of Beverly Hills, I was very much against the idea. Like, she’s already a celebrity!"

However, his opinion changed once Rinna, 60, joined the series in season 5 in 2014. "But then she came, and it made perfect sense," Cohen said.

In January 2023, PEOPLE confirmed that Rinna planned to depart the series after nearly a decade. "This is the longest job I have held in my 35 year career and I am grateful to everyone at Bravo and all those involved in the series," she said in a statement. "It has been a fun eight-year run and I am excited for what is to come!"

Related: Leah McSweeney Says the Truth 'Is on My Side' in Lawsuit Against Bravo and Andy Cohen

Cohen's status at Bravo has been up for debate in recent months, after former Real Housewives of New York City star Leah McSweeney sued the longtime host, claiming he and Bravo facilitated a “rotted" workplace culture where employees were pressured to consume alcohol, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE.

Cohen's attorney Orin Snyder said the filing is "littered with false, offensive, and defamatory statements” in a letter sent to McSweeney, which was obtained by PEOPLE.

Snyder called "virtually every" allegation made by the Bravo star "categorically false" and threatened further legal action if she did not “immediately” retract and withdraw claims about Cohen’s cocaine use.

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In April, PEOPLE confirmed that Cohen does not plan to exit the network despite the ongoing legal drama.

“There is absolutely no truth to this story — it is obviously made up by a source who is not credible,” a Bravo spokesperson said.

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