Bethenny Frankel’s announcement that she is departing Real Housewives of New York has left an open wound in many of her fans. Even if you don’t like Bethenny, you have to admit her endless Skinny Girl endorsements hot-blooded personality provided a backbone to the show. Obviously viewers are left with a gaping spot that needs to be filled before filming resumes.
Knock, knock. Oh look, it’s Leah McSweeney! Freshly tapped as RHONY’s new Housewife, we are just learning details of the reported new kid on the block. Touted as a friend of Tinsley Mortimer, the 36-year-old newbie is a mother and founder of the street wear brand, Married to the Mob. Not much is known about Leah. She might have some skeletons in her closet, as many of us do, but our skeletons aren’t likely to fall victim to Ramona Singer. Now Leah could find out, the price of fame is high, and her past might add interest to the pricetag.
Here’s what we know about Leah. She is no stranger to reality television. Leah has appeared on The Millionaire Matchmaker and Love & Hip Hop: New York. Clearly she isn’t camera shy. Apparently Leah isn’t shy about sharing her thoughts with the general public as well. In June 2018, Leah wrote a piece for Penthouse magazine called, “Can We Talk About Toxic Femininity?” The article heavily features the relationship between deceased celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain and his partner, Asia Argento. It details Leah’s opinion that Asia abused the #metoo movement, and had a consensual physical relationship with Harvey Weinstein. In the past, Asia (and multiple others) accused Weinstein of rape. Y’all have a seat, there’s a lot to unpack here.
In September 2018, Page Six reported a legal representative for Asia fired off a letter in response to Leah’s article. Asia also shot back by posting a link to a column on The Root called “Why Thirsty White Women Like Leah McSweeney Are a Menace to Society”. The meat of this piece revolved around an interaction Leah ALLEGEDLY had with writer and actor on Saturday Night Live, Michael Che. During her Improper Etiquette podcast, Leah accused Michael of being “arrogant, rude, and disrespectful” after connecting through a dating app.
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Leah sent the text receipts to Page Six which said, “Why are you [Michael] on a dating app if you hate women? Literally, you’ve never met me and you’re texting me like I’m a stupid bitch … texting me and being mad rude.” Was Michael mad or rude? Is mad rude one thing? Leah continued, “He kept just texting me, going, ‘I’m fat. Does that turn you on?’ And I’m like, ‘you’re fat? I think I’ve seen you and you’re not fat, OK.'” Other ALLEGED texts said, “You’re [Michael] trying to f–k with me? I don’t get it. You’re just a f–king dork wearing Air Force Ones at the end of the day. Like, cause you’re sitting up there writing your jokes on a little card, trying to figure out what the f–k. His Netflix special is actually funny … arrogance is ignorance to me. You don’t know me, you don’t know nothing about me, you don’t know we have mad friends in common and like, you’re gonna treat me like some stupid bitch? Like f–k you. I just can’t deal.” Something Michael said must have triggered Leah.
Michael then trashed his ticket on the maybe crazy train and shared his ALLEGED full texts. Prior to December 1, 2016 Leah supposedly wrote, “R U more talkative in person? Or just fat?” What an icebreaker, said no one ever. After zero response, Leah tries again, “What did u eat today?” Nothing from the comedian. On December 19, she texts, “What’s up?” *crickets* At this time, some people might move on from the one-sided conversation. But Leah is no quitter! Allegedly. Michael then implied she wrote, “U hate me cus I’m white. Our conversations r everything to me btw. We have a lot of friends in common and if anyone of them saw this I would b so ashamed.” 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… YIKES.
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By January 2, Michael was done. Leah reportedly wrote “Do u ever want to meet up? Or r we just gonna text each other randomly until eternity? Well I did think it was odd u kept saying ur fat.” Is telling a woman you are fat the new ghosting? To that Michael replied, “I [don’t] wanna meet up. You text really strange declarations looking for a reaction, and I don’t wanna know what’s the real life equivalent of that.” Please read the texts for yourself, they are… interesting. The last text Michael claims Leah ALLEGEDLY wrote offered a link to her podcast with a message that said, “Hope U can make some time in ur busy schedule to listen. U gave me some great content. Why men think it’s okay to talk to a woman they’ve never even met in such am [sic] arrogant and gross way.” Hey, what about the whole abusing the #metoo movement thing?
Now would be a good time to mention the UNCONFIRMED texts included Leah’s ALLEGED perception that most men on the dating app she used “look gay”. Oh my. An article on Queerty detailed a series of now deleted Tweets that highlight Leah’s questionable social media presence. Maybe being on the receiving end of rejection didn’t sit well with Leah. Perhaps she allowed her fingers to do the talking before taking a cleansing breath? Or this could shine some light on the personality we will get to know.
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Leah has not currently addressed any of these issues, and by all accounts could be a different person from a few years ago. The journey on the path of Leah might have some thought-provoking twists and turns. Buckle up, it may get bumpy.
TELL US- DO YOU BELIEVE ANY OF THESE ALLEGATIONS? WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON LEAH? WILL MORE DETAILS COME OUT ON HER PAST?
[Photo Credit: John Sciulli/Getty Images for PacSun]
