By Amanda Castro and Jenni Fink
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Andy Cohen joined Alex Cooper on Call Her Daddy for a candid, wide-ranging conversation that touched on parenting, dating, and his close friendship with John Mayer. The Bravo executive and father of two didn’t hold back during Cooper’s signature texting game or while reflecting on how life has shifted since becoming a parent.
What to Know:
- Cohen revealed he FaceTimed John Mayer the day before taping; Mayer told him to “go deliver” and “show up” for the podcast.
- Cooper’s texting game prompted Cohen to consider messaging Mayer for advice, but they’d already discussed it.
- Cohen said he’s active on dating apps but has been flagged for “impersonating” himself.
- As a dad of two via surrogate, Cohen said dating has changed: “I meet two kinds of people, people I want to sleep with and people I want to date.”
- The episode is now streaming on the SiriusXM app
This live blog is now closed.
Oct 29, 2025 at 12:13 PM EDT
Andy Cohen talks dating life and app trouble
Andy Cohen, father of two via surrogate, says dating looks a little different these days. On Call Her Daddy, Cohen revealed he’s active on all the major dating apps—but has occasionally been kicked off for “impersonating” himself.
“I have kids so dating has kind of changed,” he said. Cohen added that he tends to meet “two kinds of people—people I want to sleep with and people I want to date.” The Bravo exec’s candid take highlights the balancing act of parenting and finding love in the digital age.
Oct 29, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT
Andy Cohen says Candiace Dillard Bassett’s ‘drive back’ is the ultimate Housewives anthem
Housewives haven't just stayed housewives, and they've ventured into other business ventures, including singing. When it comes to the song that Cohen thinks is the biggest bop, it's Candiace Dillard Basset's "Drive Back."
"Absolutely love it," Cohen said.
Cohen also loves Good as Gold by Scheana Shay, too, though.
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Oct 29, 2025 at 11:47 AM EDT
Andy Cohen says RHONY yacht night is one of the franchise’s most iconic moments
Over the years, there have been a ton of iconic moments in Housewives filming, but the one that comes to mind most for Cohen is, "We got the yacht."
During Season 8 of RHONY, Luann de Lesseps invited the women onto a yacht for the night to celebrate her engagement to Tom D'Agostino.
Oct 29, 2025 at 11:33 AM EDT
Andy Cohen calls out Gretchen Rossi and Tamra Judge’s 15-year-old feud
When asked what petty feud was going on too long, Cohen said Gretchen Rossi and Tamara Judge's current feud is about things that happened 15 years ago. But he also noted that they haven't had the space to talk it out, so it's not totally unreasonable that they'd be talking about it now.
Rossi rejoined the cast of Orange County this season after a long hiatus on the show, and she and Judge have had a less-than-cordial relationship.
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Oct 29, 2025 at 11:21 AM EDT
Andy Cohen says Erica Reid was ‘the one that got away’ from RHONY
Andy Cohen acknowledged that Real Housewives of New York faced criticism for its lack of diversity over the years. On Call Her Daddy, he revealed that he met with several high-profile women of color in hopes of diversifying the cast—including Erica Reid, wife of music executive LA Reid.
“She’s amazing and she’s kind of the one that got away,” Cohen said, noting that LA Reid wasn’t interested in being part of the show. Despite efforts to bring new voices to RHONY, Cohen admitted some casting opportunities didn’t pan out.
Oct 29, 2025 at 11:08 AM EDT
Andy Cohen names hottest househusband—and one he’d throw a drink at
During a rapid-fire segment on Call Her Daddy, Andy Cohen didn’t hold back when asked about Bravo husbands. He crowned Angel from Real Housewives of Potomac as the hottest, but had far less praise for Amber Marchese’s husband from RHONJ.
Cohen said he’d like to throw a drink in his face, referencing Season 6 drama where Amber’s husband stirred controversy by commenting on the Giudice family’s legal troubles and an alleged affair involving another cast member’s boyfriend and her mother.
Oct 29, 2025 at 10:59 AM EDT
Andy Cohen says he and Teresa Giudice cleared the air before her prison sentence
Before Teresa went to jail, Cohen said they had lunch to discuss the narrative that he was being unfair to her.
The two "talked it out" about how they both felt they were treated and ended on good terms.
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Oct 29, 2025 at 10:48 AM EDT
Andy Cohen names housewives who talk over everyone at reunions
Reunion chaos is nothing new in the Bravo universe, and Andy Cohen says some cast members are especially hard to wrangle. On Call Her Daddy, Cohen called out Lisa Barlow from Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and Teresa Giudice from Real Housewives of New Jersey as frequent interrupters.
“They’re the worst offenders,” Cohen said, adding that Toya Bush-Harris and Dr. Simone Whitmore from Married to Medicine could also be “in that mix.”
Oct 29, 2025 at 10:37 AM EDT
Andy Cohen says RHONJ reunions have tested his patience
Andy Cohen admitted that some Real Housewives reunions push him to the brink—especially in New Jersey. On Call Her Daddy, Cohen said the last few RHONJ reunions were particularly tough.
“I don’t like screaming at women. It is a bad look,” he said, adding that at times, the only way to regain control is to “go crazy.” The behind-the-scenes confession highlights just how intense reunion tapings can get—even for the man in the middle.
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Oct 29, 2025 at 10:24 AM EDT
Andy Cohen won’t name top Housewives
Andy Cohen is keeping his favorites to himself. During his Call Her Daddy interview, Cohen declined to name his top three Housewives, joking that it would be an “HR issue” and emphasizing that the franchise is an ensemble show.
Still, he admitted that personal history plays a role in how he connects with cast members. Cohen said he's a "nostalgic" person, noting that the length of time he’s known someone often influences his perspective.
Oct 29, 2025 at 10:16 AM EDT
Andy Cohen says he nearly gave up on ‘Real Housewives’ season 1
Andy Cohen may be the face of The Real Housewives franchise, but he wasn’t behind the original concept. On Call Her Daddy, Cohen credited Scott Dunlop—who lived in Coto de Caza, the same gated community as Vicki Gunvalson—with creating the show’s early pitch tape.
Cohen described the original footage as “Curb Your Enthusiasm”-style, but with real women instead of actors. Inspired by the popularity of Desperate Housewives, the team named the series The Real Housewives. It set a key rule: only the women would speak directly to the camera, while men stayed in the background.
Still, Cohen admitted the first season was rocky. “We didn’t have the footage we thought we had,” he said. “It wasn’t going well.” He was ready to walk away—until his boss insisted they keep going.
“Could you imagine?” Cohen said. “My whole life has been made on this show. I owe these women everything.”
Oct 29, 2025 at 10:07 AM EDT
Andy Cohen says rejection led to Bravo breakthrough
Andy Cohen revealed on Call Her Daddy that his path to Bravo began with a rejection. He originally applied to work at Logo, a Viacom-backed LGBTQ+ network, but didn’t get the job. “Saved my life,” Cohen said. “I wouldn’t be calling you daddy if I got that job.”
Instead, Cohen landed at Bravo, where he began emailing his bosses behind-the-scenes gossip from shows he was producing. Impressed by his writing, one executive suggested he start a blog on Bravo’s website. That blog eventually evolved into Watch What Happens Live, now a long-running late-night staple.
Oct 29, 2025 at 09:53 AM EDT
Andy Cohen opens up about friendship with John Mayer
Andy Cohen shared intimate details about his long-standing friendship with John Mayer during his appearance on Call Her Daddy. Describing their typical night out, Cohen said the pair always sits side by side in a booth, often ending up in fits of laughter and physical closeness. “He’ll have his arm around me,” Cohen noted, adding that their connection is rooted in deep affection and mutual respect.
Cohen called Mayer the blueprint for what he seeks in a romantic partner, saying, “If I could find a gay guy that was him, it would be magic.” The two recently FaceTimed ahead of Cohen’s podcast appearance, with Mayer offering encouragement: “Go deliver.”
Their friendship has sparked public curiosity over the years, prompting Mayer to address speculation in 2024. In a statement, he defended the legitimacy of their platonic bond and criticized assumptions that such relationships must be romantic. Mayer emphasized the importance of embracing diverse friendships without reducing them to stereotypes.
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Oct 29, 2025 at 09:40 AM EDT
Who is Cedric Martinez and what did he say about Lisa Vanderpump?
Cedric Martinez, once a close friend and houseguest of Lisa Vanderpump, has spoken out about their fractured relationship following his brief stint on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Martinez claims he helped Lisa and her husband, Ken Todd, open Villa Blanca in 2009 and was later asked to rejoin her household to support her RHOBH audition.
Their friendship unraveled after Cedric refused to rekindle a relationship with Lance Bass, which he says Lisa encouraged for publicity. He also alleges Lisa disapproved of his new romance with a Villa Blanca coworker, prompting him to move out.
In a 2017 podcast interview, Cedric said Lisa feared he might reveal personal details about her marriage, though he insists he never shared anything private. He described Lisa as “very controlling” but acknowledged her business acumen.
Cedric later accused Lisa of manipulating public narratives, especially after Villa Blanca’s closure. Vanderpump responded on Watch What Happens Live in 2024, saying she regretted the friendship and quipped, “Please don’t come back.”
Now living in England and working in hospitality, Cedric says he has no interest in returning to reality TV.
Oct 29, 2025 at 09:40 AM EDT
Why is Alex Cooper’s podcast called ‘Call Her Daddy’?
The title of Alex Cooper’s hit podcast, Call Her Daddy, originated from a cheeky exchange with former co-host Sofia Franklyn. During a conversation about a sexual encounter, Cooper joked that the woman might have been told to “call him daddy.” Franklyn fired back: “No, call her daddy.”
The phrase flipped a traditionally male-dominant trope into one of female empowerment, signaling that the woman is in control. Born in the show’s early days, the name reflects its original focus on sex positivity, candid advice, and unapologetic ownership of personal narratives.
Oct 29, 2025 at 09:32 AM EDT
John Mayer told Andy Cohen to ‘go deliver’ ahead of ‘Call Her Daddy’ interview
Cooper plays a game with her guest in which she writes texts they have to send to friends or people they know. During the podcast, it was suggested that Cohen text John Mayer and ask for advice on being on Cooper's podcast.
"We've already had that conversation," Cohen said. "We FaceTimed yesterday."
Cohen said Mayer told him that he'll be "great" and to "go deliver."
"He's like 'you gotta show up,'" Cohen said.
Oct 29, 2025 at 09:29 AM EDT
Andy Cohen defends Wendy Osefo after arrest: ‘Great role model’
The Real Housewives universe isn't foreign to legal problems, and Cohen told Cooper that he hopes Wendy Osefo is innocent after her recent arrest. He applauded her for being a "great role model" and leading with her education and family values.
"I don't know anything about the case, except that I was caught totally off guard by that," Cohen said.
On October 9, Wendy Osefo from Real Housewives of Potomac was arrested on 16 charges relating to faking a home invasion. She and her husband are accused of faking the home invasion to collect insurance money and then returning the items they claimed were stolen.
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Oct 29, 2025 at 09:25 AM EDT
Andy Cohen says he’s never hooked up with a Bravolebrity
Despite years of close ties with Bravo stars, Andy Cohen says he’s never crossed the line romantically. On Call Her Daddy, Cohen told host Alex Cooper he’s never slept with anyone from the Bravo universe.
“Never,” he said. “I think that even I understand the rules of the game there… There have been a couple that in my mind I’ve thought, like, that would be interesting. But yeah, I think that would probably, at this point, be unwise.”
The revelation adds to Cohen’s long-standing reputation for keeping professional boundaries—even in the drama-filled world of reality TV.
Oct 29, 2025 at 09:21 AM EDT
Andy Cohen says ‘RHONY’ revamp sparked major behind-the-scenes chaos
Andy Cohen revealed that The Real Housewives of New York City has seen some of the franchise's most intense behind-the-scenes drama. Speaking on Call Her Daddy, Cohen pointed to two particularly chaotic moments: the recent RHONY reboot and the mass cast shake-up after Season 4.
“I think that was kind of a big thing,” Cohen said, referring to the 2011 decision to cut Jill Zarin, Alex McCord, Kelly Bensimon, and Cindy Barshop. The revamp, he added, also stirred significant internal tension as the show tried to reinvent itself for a new era.
Oct 29, 2025 at 09:18 AM EDT
Does Andy Cohen have kids?
Andy Cohen is a proud dad to two children, both born via surrogate.
His son, Benjamin Allen Cohen, was born in February 2019, making Cohen one of the first openly gay men in the U.S. to become a father through surrogacy.
In April 2022, he welcomed his daughter, Lucy Eve Cohen, expanding his family and sharing the joyful news with fans on social media.
Oct 29, 2025 at 09:16 AM EDT
Andy Cohen debuts new hair in ‘Call Her Daddy’ podcast
Andy Cohen opened up about his hair on Call Her Daddy, telling Cooper that he decided to grow it out over the summer.
It's not fake. I have no pieces in my hair," Cohen said. "I usually grow it out every summer because I get into a beach vibe ... and I'm taping Watch What Happens Live less this year."
Cohen added that he lost a little weight and feels that when he's thinner, he can pull off longer hair because it looks better on him.
Oct 29, 2025 at 09:14 AM EDT
Andy Cohen says he’d air pulled ‘Ultimate Girls Trip’ footage if he could
Andy Cohen revealed on Call Her Daddy that he wants fans to see the unreleased season of Real Housewives: Ultimate Girls Trip, featuring Brandi Glanville and Caroline Manzo. The season was shelved following an alleged physical incident that led Manzo to exit the trip early.
“If it were up to me, you’d be seeing the entire thing,” Cohen told host Alex Cooper. However, he clarified that the decision to withhold the footage wasn’t his, saying, “I’m not the last word on all things Housewives.”
The episode sheds light on Bravo’s internal decision-making and Cohen’s limited control over what makes it to air.
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Oct 29, 2025 at 09:13 AM EDT
Andy Cohen texts Lisa Vanderpump during podcast game: ‘She said ‘all of them”
Andy Cohen’s appearance on Call Her Daddy took an unexpected turn when host Alex Cooper challenged him to a round of “Confess or Text,” a segment designed to elicit juicy answers—or force guests to send bold messages to their famous friends.
When asked how much money he made last year, Cohen declined to answer, calling the question “douchy” and citing wage inequity across industries. “I’m making money that is totally… there’s an incredible wage inequity with people that I work with and also people who do jobs that are way more important than mine,” he said, referencing special education teachers and hospice workers.
Instead of answering, Cohen texted Lisa Vanderpump, asking, “Shaking up BH cast, who should we part ways with?” He predicted she’d respond with Kyle Richards, an original Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member.
Her actual reply? “All of them.”
The moment offered a rare glimpse into Bravo’s behind-the-scenes dynamics and underscored Cohen’s close ties to the franchise’s most iconic personalities. The whole episode is now streaming on the SiriusXM app.
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