Bravo Executive Addresses Potential Inclusion of Transgender Cast Members
The long-running reality television franchise, The Real Housewives, known for chronicling the lives of affluent women, has yet to feature a transgender individual in a leading role. However, Bravo executive Andy Cohen has weighed in on the possibility during a recent appearance at the Newport Beach TV Fest.
Cohen’s Criteria for Transgender Casting
When questioned by attendees about the potential for casting a transgender housewife, Cohen, 58, outlined his ideal scenario. He suggested that the most authentic approach would involve someone who is already connected to existing cast members, rather than being brought in solely for a “stunt.”
“I think if there was a trans housewife who was friends with other housewives, that would be the way,” Cohen stated. “You wouldn’t want it to be stunt. You wouldn’t want it to be like, ‘Oh, you know, let’s cast into this.’ If someone was friends with that person, and that would be great. I have no idea what franchise that would be.”
Past Casting Considerations
Cohen recalled a past instance where the franchise considered casting a gay man, the brother of The Real Housewives of New Jersey stars Caroline and Dina Manzo. “There was a conversation about maybe casting Caroline and Dina have a gay brother,” he explained. “There was a moment where we were flirting with that idea.”
Ultimately, Cohen reiterated that the core of the franchise is about “celebrating women.” He added, “I think that in terms of casting a gay guy on the show, and this is show about women and celebrating women, so I think we’ll leave it there.”
Real Housewives of Orange County Present at Event
The event at the Lido Theater saw the presence of several cast members from The Real Housewives of Orange County, supporting Cohen as he received Variety’s Creative Impact in Television Award. Among those in attendance were Vicki Gunvalson, Emily Simpson, Shannon Beador, Tamra Judge, Gina Kirschenheiter, and Jennifer Pedranti. Heather Dubrow and Cohen’s new boyfriend, Kevin Sobieski, were noted as absent.
Cohen’s Personal Life Updates
Cohen’s appearance also coincided with news regarding his personal life. He recently confirmed on Radio Andy that he has been in a relationship with Kevin Sobieski for nearly a year, expressing significant happiness and describing Sobieski as his “person.” He shared, “I really am happy. I can’t believe I found this guy. I just cannot believe it. I’m in shock.”
Cohen elaborated on his dating standards, emphasizing his selectivity in finding a partner. “I don’t want to be with the wrong person. I value my time too much. I value my life too much,” he said. “I have great friends and a great life and great kids. My criteria about what I was looking for never changed. It’s always been a feeling for me. I’ve always followed the feeling. I am really happy to say that I met the person.”
The couple met at a Hamptons party last year, and their relationship has progressed to the point where Sobieski has been introduced to Cohen’s two children, Benjamin, seven, and Lucy, four. “This man is kind and strong and smart and he is an adult and he loves my children and they love him and I love him,” Cohen said. “Introducing him to the kids and just entering him into the equation of my family so slowly, I have to say it has been so easy.”
