Mention It All - What Do We Do About RHONY? Ft. Leah McSweeney

Episode Date: July 22, 2021

Bari and Dylan sit down with Leah McSweeney, who gets real about the new season of RHONY. She shares her outlook on sobriety, and what it was really like to film during lockdown. They discuss what Eboni has brought to the show, and how Leah feels about the cast’s handling of difficult decisions. Leah also responds to criticism of season 13, and shares who she thinks has gotten lazy with what they bring to the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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We don't say that, but now we said it. With Dylan Hafer. Who don't check me, boo? And Barry Rosenfeld. I need to start drinking alcohol. Now go to sleep week. Hey, everyone. We are now joined by one of our favorites,

Real Housewife of New York, Leah McSweeney. Hi, Leah. Welcome back to mention it all. I'm so glad that I'm still somebody's favorite. You know, in this game of life, you know, we go around the, I don't know what metaphor I'm trying to make here. But it's been a crazy year since we've had you on the podcast. I know. I look forward to your reposts of all the trolls because I'm like, more people need to do this, honestly.

Yeah, I'm sorry. If you're like going to come on my page and like tell me like I'm fully and like I need to get over my grandmother dying, like I'm exposing. you and I'm looking at your page and if you're like an ugly dumb bitch like I'm posted attached it and calling you out. I feel like you you've had such an interesting kind of two seasons of being on housewives because obviously your first season premiered right at the start of the pandemic you were like in lockdown the whole time it was actually on TV and then you filmed a season in the pandemic and now that's coming out and obviously it's there's just so much going on this season. You got sober in the midst of that, which is a whole other thing.

How do you feel like you've kind of transitioned from your first season to your second season? Was it harder coming back for a second round? I think that like we filmed during such a life altering moment, especially in New York City. Like having protests every day. There was, you know, an election going on. We were, there was a global pandemic in a city that we had more regulations than like upstate New York. I mean, we couldn't go into a restaurant and sit and eat, you know? Like, we couldn't do that.

And so it was challenging, obviously. And I lost my grandmother in the beginning of filming, you know. But at the same time, I'm so grateful that I have. had the show to do, whether people are doing it or not. Because, like, if I hadn't had the show to do as stressful as it was, like, to be in, like, a very vulnerable state, because I can't compartmentalize. You know, if I, if I didn't have the, the women and the show to do, I would have been so, so alone and isolated.

Like, I was in the city. Like, I wasn't, like, in the hampton whole time, like, hanging with people. Like, I was. And my daughter was. wasn't in school. I was very stressed out about that. But we all were. Like, we were all going through a lot. And obviously, some people are more affected by it than others, you know. And, and then filming, filming during it and having to deal with all the guidelines and regulations is a lot, too. But I'm honestly proud of what we did. It was

not easy. Yeah. So going off of everything you just said, how were you tempted not to drink going through all of this? You know, I really, I wasn't, I wasn't tempted. I really don't think I was. I mean, I think there was actually like one, I'm really not supposed to say, but during, um, a moment situation. When I was, I had just found out that like my grandmother, my mom called me and was like, I don't think you understood my text message.

And then she was basically like, and it was like the night of like Halloween and I was leaving the next day. There was a part where like, and it didn't end up, it was going to. And then I didn't see it again. I don't know what happened to it. But like, Ebony was like hugging me and I was like, I can't believe I could drink again. You know what I mean?

It's like I wanted to just be out of my head so badly. But I, you know, I don't thank God I wasn't. I couldn't drink during this. Like I knew like during porn. Right. I got to stop. Like, this is bad. Like I had friends telling me like, you have to stop.

Like this is not going to go well. So do I feel tempted to drink? Like, you know, I'm an alcoholic. So like I miss the taste of wine. Right. I miss all that. I miss being able to numb myself. But at the same time, you know, this is just such a better way of life.

And I lived almost a decade without alcohol. So jumping back on the horse, like, wasn't too hard. Right. That just shows how strong you are, though, as a person. Because in that moment where you said, I can't believe I stopped drinking, that's a moment where you knew you would. so knowing that you know you won't is just really great. I don't thank you.

I think that like, you know what, if this wasn't really like a celebratory season, right? This is really like a get drunk and naked and grotis. And had I been drinking, it still wouldn't have been that way. Right. It would have been totally inappropriate. Like when would I have done that? Like while Corona was doing the I'm white dance,

but I've gotten up and started, do you know what I mean? or like during dinner when Ebony's talking about black history, like when I have like gotten up in like Corona Ravoli and Ramona's face. Like I mean, I don't think so. Have you tried Luann's Fosé or are you steering clear of that for now? I trust me, I had much of it over this. It was like at first like didn't taste great and now it's tasting a little better.

She loves it. I thought it was interesting to see kind of your different approaches and how you were saying, like, it might not actually be the best strategy to, like, still constantly have the wine glass in your hand, because obviously it's, you know, it's a different thing for everyone. But I think it's interesting for a show where we've seen so much kind of heavy drinking and stuff in the past to see two different people on sort of a sobriety journey this season. And that it doesn't feel like either of you are just kind of. like doing it for a storyline if that makes sense.

No, I mean, I really didn't even want to talk just like last season. I didn't want to talk too much about drinking and it ended up thing. But like this season, I was like, I'm not talking about not drinking. Like that's not because that's not my identity. Like it's not. It's just like something that I just don't drink. Like I'm not going to make it a whole, you know, thing. It's like there's other more interesting aspects to me and my life, you know?

Totally. So you and Ebony have really click, which is really enjoyable to watch on the show. And she's had, you know, a tough time, whether be with your cast members or social media. So how has she been handling it? And how have you been helping her through that? I would be lying to say, like, it doesn't affect us to hear that people are so bothered by us or whatever. I think that, like, she's handling it better.

than most people. You know, when I think about it, I don't know how many people would really be able to handle getting, like, messages like your daughter should go to herself, like this and that, X, Y, Z. Like, this is why people, like,

this is why, like, teens, like, kill themselves. You know what I mean? It's, I don't know if it's a more volatile, like, time right now because people have been home and, you know, people are still angry and we've become a very angry, polarized society that's just like, and because of social media and the anonymity, it gives people, you know, like the ability to just, you know, unleash. I think that the viewers that stopped watching because, like, there was too much race talk. I'm sorry. You know what? I still think

of all the franchises that are airing right now, our show is still the most fucking interesting and dynamic. Yes, I said it. I don't give a shit. I'm sorry that we don't have any giant scandal. No one robbed anybody. No one did. Like, seriously. Like, we're dynamic.

Like, we're talking about hard shit. And if everyone's like, I want to escape, I want to escape, then just turn it off and leave us the fuck alone. I do think it's a little hypocritical for people to be like, no, I watch these shows for fun. And it's like, okay, well, you know, think this show's been on for 13 years. Like, we've handled a lot of serious topics. It's just this one specific topic that people feel like is, you know, not what they want to hear.

I know. I'm like, wait, wasn't like talking about mental health last year kind of a serious topic? Isn't like people possibly like going to jail and like getting like arrested like while filming kind of serious? Like, you know, this is, Ebony is the first black. house life on this show that's been going on for 13 years that is like a pop culture you know kind of iconic TV show like let her fucking talk about being black. Mm-hmm. Just later.

And it's her first season. Like it's her first season also and I'm not trying to blame the OGs or anything, but we are on a show. It's my second season. Okay. Right. Right. Only second season.

We're on a show with three. iconic housewives. If you don't think that we're doing enough or the topics are too serious or X, Y, Z like, fucking work. Let's go. I do think about that that it's like the whole thing of Housewives is it's an ensemble show. There's, you know, five, six, seven women.

Do you think the pandemic maybe affected that that we haven't seen as much of what's going on with people's lives? because we haven't been in the city very much. I think people are getting lazy. I think people are getting lazy. Yeah. I mean, it's true. I, to be honest, I had a phone call with one of, like, our vendors that we work with.

And every business is affected by people's, like, relationships right now, which I thought was very interesting. Because he said, usually people are always on the same page. And right now this year, everyone wants to kill each other. And, like, we can't even. And I, like, was like, oh, my God. is so crazy. We can't even like sell merch and stuff with pop culture because like no one is agreeing on anything in the world, which like kind of makes the world go around a little bit, but this is just on another level.

It's not another level, but like I'm also talking about like we're looking to your expertise and guidance. Right. Like Ramona Sonia Luann. Well, like what's happening? We're talking to you. We haven't seen Garth in like eight weeks. Like I want to know what's how. happening at the townhouse. Like I, I feel like the first, that first episode when it was the brunch at the townhouse, that felt like such a, you know, fun kind of exciting moment. And we haven't been back there.

We haven't seen it again. Isn't it like a year ago? I know. These trips, you know, which are odd like being up a lot, like, of the season. But I, but now I think we kind of like next week we're not in Salem anymore. Okay. I think we kind of get back to like city. But also, I was quarantined for a month total.

Yeah. So when we're in the show right now in Salem, have you guys already had a production break, or is that after? We already had a production break in the beginning, right in the beginning? And then we had two more. So speaking of, you know, the limited size of the cast, we have Bershahn coming in in the last few weeks. And she has really been stirring things up,

a little eye roll coming from Leah just now. Um, what was your take on what happened in Salem? Because I think watching it, it felt very out of nowhere. Exactly. That's why I got up and left. I'm like, okay, this is, this is bullshit. Like totally fake. I'm leaving.

Like, you know, her being like, they're all talking shit about you. I'm like, girl, like, stop. You know what I mean? Like, and I liked her. Like, there's nothing to not, like, she doesn't have a bad bone in her body, the woman. You know, it was just so forced. I'm like, I would rather be boring and real than like, come in. just say that a bunch of people are talking about me.

They're not. Like, we don't do that. Like, we don't do real fake shit like that. Like, so it was just like she didn't get it. And that's why I was like, I'm not doing this. I'm walking away. Like, yeah, we always say it does not a good look when the whole group is against. Like, it's not, it wasn't even like sides.

It was like, everyone was like, you got to stop. Like, that's, it's, like, also she, but she was like so. So I'm like, no, who said something bad? Like, who was talking shit about me? Just tell me. And there was like nobody. Well, in a group where there are only five women and there's not a lot of kind of side, you know, friends and characters and stuff that you all know, that doesn't really work to be like, oh, I heard on the streets that somebody was saying something about Leah. It's like, was it Ramona or was it Luann?

Right, exactly. Yeah. Or was it Sonya or Ebony. Right. I don't know if they call me. Like, I'm thinking they all, you know, it was just, that's why I kind of just got up and walked away. And, you know, I think that. yeah, I guess I don't really even

the Bershant Sonia event was like so out of left field and they were like harassing each other back and forth like just teasing each other and you know we're okay there was some truth to what Breshawn saying right like obviously like I don't know how she

saw it so quickly like I don't know how she like realized like you know the clown comment was like hmm like it was really whoa I was like I didn't think think the grandma thing was so bad. But like the clown thing, I was like, oh, God. And then when she was like, you're not, you know, use your words, I was like, fuck, because Sonia's always saying, like, I'm, I'm going to, you know, I can't, I can't find my words. And like, I'm, I think it's this medication I'm on. Like, she was saying that a lot this whole year. So I was like, oh, God, now she's talking

about her not being able to use her words. And, you know, obviously Sony had been drinking a lot. And whatever. I mean, you know, I, so I tried my best. I, I tried my best. I don't know what else to tell everybody. What were your thoughts on her apology the next day to the group? You know, I felt for her, like, because I remember, like, after causing a ruckus in Rhode Island and then, like, have it. And then apologizing at the tea party, even though, like, I really didn't even want to. But I'm feeling I kind of had to, to, like, move forward.

But, you know, I felt bad, like, she got emotional. And I don't, I mean, that's always, like, hard to see. And it's, it's like really stressful. Like this whole thing. Also in Salem, we were like having to, like, there was a curfew in Salem. It was like, hurry up. We have to get up.

It was like, ah, like, what? And then also we couldn't all be in like a room. Like, I would like go into the room. They're like, no, if there's already four people in here, you have to leave. Wow. That's so interesting because obviously I think on the show, they try and make it feel as normal as possible, I guess. But it's why it's weird because it's like normal about the circumstance.

we're in. Right. And you're like, you're in like an empty restaurant that isn't even open clearly. And like, I walked in like, what is this?

Like where, what? Like, why isn't anyone in here? Like, yeah, because we couldn't be in places with other people.

We couldn't. Okay. So when you guys were having the conversation about doing an intervention for Sonia, I think a lot of us watching it were kind of like, uh, how's it? How's it going to go?

What was the thought process there? And how did you feel about how it ultimately went? Well, I guess there wasn't a lot of thought that went into it. We should have called it an interconversation, not an intervention. Obviously, this is, we all watch intervention. We know that this is not how you do it. This was a Salem, Real Housewives of New York style intervention. Okay.

Right, like right before the seance, like, while you're drinking a martini, whatever. I think I just felt like I just I wish I had just talked to her actually alone because then Lou yeah starts talking about what you did was worse than what I got arrested for less than you I'm like you literally pulled up to go to kill himself

so that you were going to kill him so what are you talking about the way like this is why like Sonia shuts down with that because they have a very like we're better and just like the way Luan was talking to her in the van it's that kind of talking to instead of being like look I don't want you you to get hurt. This is not

a judgment. Like, if you do ever want to talk, whatever, would she be better off not drinking? Of course, probably. But also, I said what I had to say. I'm not going to bring it up again. I don't, it's just not, you know, I'm happy that I said something. I am. I thought I would have been totally

complicit and like, enabling her if I didn't say something. I think that, and look, yes, I got so drunk, I was throwing teaky torches and I get it. And, like, you know, I wasn't, I think that the hand through the glass scared me because I was just thinking like if she could have gone to the ER easily

cut a major artery. Totally. Right. All right, maybe I say something now. But I'm probably never going to say anything again because people stop when they want to stop. And I don't know, I'm not calling her an alcoholic at all. Like that is not what I'm doing.

Yeah. Like, hey, maybe stopping would be better for now. Whatever. It almost seems like this season, it is a little reminiscent of what would happen. with Derinda sometimes where it's like when you're in a situation where you're drinking, maybe you're taking it too far. And it doesn't seem like she's having fun at that point.

It was hard to have fun this year. Yeah. Yeah. You can tell you're trying. You know, it was hard. It wasn't a, it was a tense, tense. It was a tense kind of, you know, season. And I did, I did try.

Well, there have been rumors, many, many rumors about Caps. Firingings, the reunion. Are you able to give us the updates that you can about any of these? I would just say that like nothing is like don't believe anything because there's something we want to believe. No, no, but you're right though. I know. Of course we're going to have we're having a reunion. Of course.

Like, you know, I don't think I look, I don't know, but I don't think any decisions are made. We all know that that happens after the reunion because we have to. Correct. Everything plays out. So I just think people are, you know. It's always funny to me that we've watched, what, like 50 total seasons of housewives now and people still don't understand, like, how the timeline works, that they're like, oh, yeah, like, they're not going to take Ramona out back and like, got her loose. Halfway that doesn't happen. Like, the internet is just like a giant game of telephone and all it takes is like one person to, I can say after this, I'm going to be like, Leah's, moving to Beverly Hill. She's going to be on Real House Bill. And everyone will be like, did you hear Leah is going to be a new housewife in Beverly Hills?

That's just not how it works. No, yeah. And I would definitely go to Jersey first. You would love that for you. I would love that. Is there anything specific you're excited for everyone to see with the rest of the season coming up? We got our mid-season trailer look this week.

I hope so. What am I? Well, I mean, I'm excited. to see because I was quarantined for some of it, so I'm excited to see things that I wasn't there for, you know? Oh, yeah. Like Black Shabbat where I got, you know, I did zoom in and got to, did some of the prayers and everything.

So, but then the Wi-Fi got weird and I had to like zoom out and whatever. But, you know, I think that like that we really have an arc this season. And obviously someone like cast maize or not. my friends, whatever. I'm sorry, Jordan, I don't know. Some of my coworkers, sorry, I don't know what's wrong. Some of the ladies are not talking right now, and there is that, that is true.

There is some, you know, like stuff going on. But we do end on a very positive note. It just went to shit after that. But we do end on a positive note. And we do get to a place of, okay, there's two different perspectives here. There's like two different, like in some, you know, in some instances, sometimes there's no wrong or right. It's just people having two different views and, like, walks through life. Of course, sometimes there is a wrong and right.

But we get to a place of kind of understanding and, like, being able to enjoy each other. And, you know, the people that are tuning in will see that. Totally. Well, do you have any updates that you want to share about your, your brands, Married to the Mob and Happy Place? Oh, well, I, well, I just, um, release some new teas on Married to the Mob. And I also am about to launch baby blankets.

Oh, wow. Yes. And I'm wearing my Happy Place Road because I really do live in them because they're the best. It, they look so comfortable. Like, I can just, I can like tell that the fabric is just. Yeah. And I, it's completely sustainable because I already have one brand that's not sustainable and honestly clothing lines really are not amazing for the environment so um it was

important to me to make sure this was a sustainable brand thunder is coming it must be romona oh no i know my deep a light i don't know i'm looking out like luanne can hear us talking about her well this was so fun lea i'm so glad we get to chat with you yeah much needed hopefully it'll be in person yes it's Next time has to be in person. Yeah. No, next time will be in person. Like, there's no.

No doubt. We're not doing it. I'm scared. Like, it's the Delta. I know. Yeah, everybody, uh, be vigilant. Everybody gets vaccinated. I never even post that shit on my Instagram because I don't want to get, like,

I have a lot of friends that don't want to get vaccinated. So I don't want them to, like, scream at me. And you can do it on our podcast. I don't want to tell people to get vaccinated. And God forbid they're the one of like million that like, you know, something happens to. But holy shit. Just get fucking vaccinated. Guys, like, especially my age group.

We went to the clubs. We went to the raves. We did all the drugs. Like, we have the implants. We have the everything. Like, just get vaccinated. We can go back to fucking life. It's going to help.

This is why we are living in 2021. We don't have to be living through a global pandemic. We can all get vaccinated and go back to life. Absolutely. Well, what better note to end on? Leah, thank you so much for joining us. Everyone. Keep watching Roney Tuesday nights.

Thank you. Thanks so much for listening, everyone. Hope you enjoyed that interview with Leah. We will be back on Monday with another new episode. In the meantime, don't forget to rate, review. Follow the show wherever you listen. You can follow us on Instagram at Bravo by Betches and just be cool. Don't be all like uncool.

Mention It All is produced by Sean Kilby and Jorge Morales Pico. Editing by Sean Kilby. Social media by Dylan Hafer. guest booking by Nicole Pellegrino. Be sure to follow at Bravo by Betches on Instagram and Twitter. Betches.