Andy Cohen Addresses 'Alarming' Antisemitism in U.S. amid Lizzy Savetsky's Sudden Exit from 'RHONY' Reboot

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Jamie McCarthy/Getty; Sean Zanni/Getty

Andy Cohenis opening up aboutantisemitismin America amid Bravo newcomerLizzy Savetsky’s recent experience.

“I can confirm that she is leaving, unfortunately,” Cohen, 54, exclusively tells PEOPLE while promoting the launch ofFresca Mixed, the beverage brand’s new alcoholic seltzer line.

He continued, “What I can also tell you is that when I’ve spoken out against antisemitism, the response that I’ve gotten has been quite alarming.”

Cohen says that “we’re living in really messed up, weird times right now.”

He notes, “I think social media makes it a whole lot worse. It’s a really rough time. As a Jewish American, it saddens me to see what’s happening with antisemitism.”

Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty

The cast ofRHONY’s 14th seasonwas announced in Octoberduring a taping ofWatch What Happens LiveatBravoCon2022. Savetsky was set to star alongsideSai De Silva, Ubah Hassan, Erin Dana Lichy,Jenna Lyons, Jessel Taank and Brynn Whitfield.

Production on the new season has already begun and it’s set to premiere next year. But Savetskypublicized her decision to leaveon Wednesday, citing “a torrent of antisemitic attacks” as the reason for her abrupt exit.

“I will not be continuing on the Real Housewives of NYC,” she wrote on Instagram. “As a proud orthodox Jewish woman, I thought participating in this series would be a great chance to represent people like me and share my experience. Unfortunately, from the time of my announcement in the cast, I was on the receiving end of a torrent of antisemitic attacks.”

She continued, “As this continued, I realized that this path was no longer right for me and my family. I’m looking forward to my next chapter. Stay tuned — and thank you for your support!”

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Bravo explained that “after thoughtful consideration and discussion with Lizzy, we have reached the mutual conclusion that Lizzy will not be a cast member onRHONY.”

Sources close to production told PEOPLE that Savetsky had stopped filming nearly two weeks ago.

Lizzy Savetsky/instagram

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News of Savetsky’s departure comes amid an increased presence of antisemitism in pop culture.

Irving and the Brooklyn Nets said they will both be donating $500,000 to organizations in an effort to “eradicate hate and intolerance.”

“I’ve been to Hollywood and — no one get mad at me — I’m just telling you what I saw,” he said earlier this month. “It’s a lot of Jews. Like a lot.But that doesn’t mean anything! You know what I mean? Because there are a lot of Black people in Ferguson, Missouri, it doesn’t mean we run the place.”

Chappelle added that a “delusion that Jews run show business” is “not a crazy thing to think,” but “it’s a crazy thing to say out loud.”

Jerry Seinfeldresponded to Chappelle’s monologue earlier this week, tellingThe Hollywood Reporter: “I did thinkthe comedy was well-executed. But I think the subject matter calls for a conversation that I don’t think I’d want to have in this venue.”

He added,“Itprovokes a conversationwhich hopefully is productive.”

Seinfeld also noted that he doesn’t consider Chapelle to be a dear friend, saying, “I don’t have a close relationship with him. We’re friends and it’s not a close relationship.”

source: people.com