Andy Cohen is opening up about what it was like walking into one of the most intense reunions Bravo has seen in a while.
In a interview with Variety, the Watch What Happens Live host and Bravo executive producer reflected on whether he still gets nervous before major interviews and reunions, including the heavily talked-about Summer House Season 10 reunion.
The reunion was centered largely around the fallout from Amanda Batula and West Wilson’s romance, which rocked the cast after Amanda’s separation from Kyle Cooke and West’s previous relationship with Ciara Miller. The drama became even more explosive because Amanda and Ciara had been close friends before the relationship came to light.
When asked if he gets nervous before big interviews or major moments like the Summer House reunion, Andy said he does not necessarily get nervous anymore — but he definitely felt the seriousness of the situation.
“I don’t get nervous — before ”Summer House,” I felt the weight of it. I was leaning in. I was hyped up. I was energized. I went in and talked to Ciara, and then I went and talked to West and Amanda,” Andy told Variety.
Andy explained that while he was not nervous for himself, he did feel nervous for the cast members who had to sit in the hot seat.
“I get nervous for them a little bit, because it’s intense, as you can ask any of the Housewives who are here,” he said. “It’s intense being in a reunion, just if you had a normal season, but this was so elevated and intense.”
Andy’s comments make sense considering how emotional the Summer House reunion became. Ciara confronted both West and Amanda over their relationship, making it clear that she felt betrayed by her ex and her former friend. Kyle also had to process Amanda moving on with someone from their shared friend group.
The reunion became a major Bravo moment, with viewers dissecting everything from Amanda and West’s timeline to Ciara’s reaction, Kyle’s emotions and the rest of the cast’s commentary.
Andy previously praised Ciara’s reunion performance, saying he had never seen someone more prepared and ready for a reunion. He called her clear, confident and strong, and said she left nothing on the table.
But while Summer House carried emotional weight, Andy admitted there are still certain celebrity interviews that make him nervous in a different way.
“I was very nervous when Oprah Winfrey was on “Watch What Happens Live,” because I respect her so much, and I was such a fan of hers. I didn’t want to get it wrong,” Andy shared.
He said first-time Watch What Happens Live guests can also energize him because they bring something new to the clubhouse.
“Sometimes, if there’s a first-time “Watch What Happens Live” guest, it’s what energizes me. It’s what makes my endorphins go,” Andy said.
Andy pointed to Bette Midler as a recent example of someone who gave him that feeling.
“Bette Midler was on recently for the first time — that was really exciting for me. So stuff like that is what really turns me on,” he added.
Andy has hosted countless reunions across the Real Housewives universe, Summer House, Vanderpump Rules and other Bravo shows, so it takes a lot for a reunion to stand out. But according to Andy, the latest Summer House reunion was not just another day at work.