Leah McSweeney, a star on Bravo's The Real Housewives of New York, has been open about her struggles with alcoholism. McSweeney, who was sober for nine years, resumed drinking during the filming of the show's twelfth season. She has since returned to sobriety, citing the negative impact of drinking on her productivity and the shame associated with alcoholism.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name | Leah McSweeney |
Occupation | Reality TV star |
Show | Real Housewives of New York |
Alcoholism | Yes |
Sobriety | Yes |
What You'll Learn
Leah McSweeney's alcoholism and sobriety
Leah McSweeney has been open about her struggles with alcoholism and her journey to sobriety. She first got sober in 2009, but relapsed in 2020 when she joined the cast of "The Real Housewives of New York" and started drinking again.
During her time on the show, McSweeney's drinking was a source of entertainment for viewers, with her antics often fuelled by alcohol. However, she has since reflected on that time with embarrassment and admitted that her drinking was excessive and out of control. In an interview, she revealed that while she enjoyed partying with her castmates, the hangovers affected her productivity, which she valued highly.
McSweeney decided to get sober again after filming the show, and in June 2020, she celebrated 90 days of sobriety. She has now returned to a sober life and is focusing on her clothing business. She has also been praised for starting conversations about mental health and addiction and for helping others stay sober.
Looking back on her experience with alcoholism, McSweeney has expressed the shame she felt as an alcoholic and her desire to not appear weak. She also acknowledged the difficulty of getting sober, comparing it to "giving birth to yourself". Despite the challenges, she has maintained her sobriety and is committed to her health and well-being.
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RHONY drinking culture
Drinking culture is a set of traditions and social behaviours that surround the consumption of alcohol as a recreational drug and social lubricant. Drinking culture varies across the world, with different countries and regions developing their own unique drinking traditions.
The Real Housewives of New York (RHONY) is a reality TV show that has been criticised for its drinking culture. Alcohol consumption has been a huge part of the show, with drinking being front and centre in nearly every episode. RHONY cast members have been open about their drinking habits, with some admitting that their drinking was out of control. Leah McSweeney, for example, has been sober for a decade but started drinking again when she joined the show. She has since decided to get sober again, citing the negative impact of hangovers on her productivity. Luann de Lesseps also addressed her drinking on the show, as she was on probation for a year after being arrested for disorderly intoxication. She has since started drinking again, stating that she is now drinking responsibly.
The increased drinking on RHONY has been a source of concern for fans, who feel that the show needs more storylines and less drinking. RHONY star Luann de Lesseps agreed with fans, admitting that some of her co-stars should dial down their drinking. In addition to the individual impacts on cast members, the show's drinking culture may also influence viewers' drinking habits and contribute to the normalisation of excessive drinking.
While drinking is a personal choice, it is important to be aware of the potential risks and negative consequences associated with excessive alcohol consumption. Drinking cultures that normalise excessive drinking can contribute to public health issues and social problems. RHONY's drinking culture reflects a larger issue of drinking in society, particularly in New York City, where drinking is a significant part of social life. The show's cast members are not alone in their drinking habits, as many New Yorkers can relate to the presence of alcohol in social events and the ease of accessing and consuming alcohol in the city.
However, it is crucial to find a balance and not let drinking control your life. As Leah McSweeney realised, excessive drinking can impact productivity and well-being. While drinking may be a fun and social activity, it is important to prioritise health and make informed decisions about alcohol consumption.
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McSweeney's drinking on Season 12 of RHONY
In Season 12 of RHONY, Leah McSweeney's drinking was a prominent storyline. Prior to joining the cast, McSweeney had been sober for nine or ten years. However, in the months leading up to filming, she relapsed and started drinking again.
During the season, McSweeney was open about her struggles with alcohol abuse and her difficulty with moderation. In one episode, she got drunk and skinny-dipped in castmate Ramona Singer's Hampton pool, before trashing the backyard and throwing flaming tiki torches. This incident, dubbed "Hurricane Leah" by fans, was a traumatic experience for McSweeney, who said she got totally blackout drunk and cried hysterically the next day, struggling with the guilt of her actions.
McSweeney's drinking had consequences for her relationships as well. She shared that her mother stopped speaking to her after learning that she had started drinking again. McSweeney understood her mother's reaction, given her history of wild behaviour with alcohol when she was younger. Despite this, she felt that her mother still viewed her as a "wild teenager" rather than a 37-year-old woman who had her life together.
Following her appearance on RHONY Season 12, McSweeney decided to get sober again. She reflected on her drinking during the season and acknowledged that it affected her work productivity due to her inability to deal with hangovers. She also expressed concern that something worse could have happened during her drunken antics.
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McSweeney's reflections on her drinking
RHONY star Leah McSweeney has been open about her struggles with alcoholism and her reflections on her drinking habits. In an interview, she revealed that she loved to drink and party with her castmates but hated being hungover the next morning as it affected her work productivity. She described herself as "obsessed with being productive" and found it challenging to balance that with her drinking.
McSweeney's excessive drinking was noticed by fans and her co-stars, with some pointing out that the show needed more storylines and less drinking. Despite the concerns, McSweeney admitted that she enjoyed her drunken moments and was proud of herself for letting loose. However, she also acknowledged the risks and negative consequences of her drinking, recognizing that something worse could have happened.
Reflecting on her drinking, McSweeney decided to get sober and focus on her clothing business. She shared that the decision to quit drinking was partly due to the accountability she felt towards her family and the people watching the show. She also wanted to set a good example for her daughter, recognizing the importance of being present and sober while spending time with her.
McSweeney's journey with sobriety hasn't been easy. She had been sober for nine years before joining "Real Housewives of New York" but struggled to control her drinking once she started again. She experienced internal conflict and shame associated with her alcoholism, finding it difficult to be honest with herself and others about her struggles. However, she eventually overcame her challenges and celebrated a year of sobriety.
Looking back, McSweeney is grateful for the conversation she sparked about mental health and addiction. She believes that her honesty and vulnerability on the show have helped others going through similar struggles. She also shared a mantra that has helped her during her journey: "I've never woken up and been like, 'I really regret not drinking last night.'"
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McSweeney's sister potentially joining RHONY
Leah McSweeney's sister, Sarah, joining the cast of RHONY could bring a lot of drama and excitement to the show. Sarah McSweeney is a model, chef, and advocate who has previously appeared in ads for her sister's fashion line, Married to the Mob. She is also a mother to a baby girl named Cecilia "CiCi" Marie, born in February 2019.
Sarah has a close bond with Leah, and the two have often gushed about each other on social media. In a birthday post for Leah, Sarah wrote, "Thank you for being my sister and always holding it down... You and KiKi bring so much joy into my life. I love you, Llama lover." Leah also expressed excitement for viewers to meet her sister, saying, "I am so excited for everyone to meet my sister... She comes over to my humble abode to chat, so make sure you tune in tomorrow."
However, there were rumours that Sarah's presence on the show might cause some friction. In an episode titled "Hurricane Leah", Leah invited Sarah to join the cast's trip to Newport, Rhode Island, without consulting the other cast members first. This decision was met with resistance from Ramona Singer and Sonja Morgan, who felt that a girls' trip should only include their clique of girls. Despite this initial resistance, Sarah did join the trip, and her presence caused a stir, with Leah even throwing ravioli at Ramona.
While Leah has expressed that she wouldn't want the reality show to ruin her relationship with her sister, she has also stated that she would love to have Sarah on the show, believing that she would be a "great" addition to the cast. It remains to be seen whether Sarah will officially join the cast of RHONY, but her appearances on the show so far have certainly added drama and excitement to the dynamic between the women.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Leah McSweeney has drunk beer in the past. She was sober for nine years before joining the cast of "The Real Housewives of New York" and started drinking again. She has since returned to sobriety.
Leah McSweeney decided to stop drinking because she felt that her drinking was excessive and out of control. She also felt that it was affecting her work productivity as she struggled with hangovers.
Leah McSweeney has admitted that she loved drinking and partying with her castmates. However, she also acknowledged that her drinking was excessive and that she struggled with alcoholism. She has said that she is proud of her drunken moments on "The Real Housewives of New York" but also feels that something worse could have happened.
Leah McSweeney agreed with fans that the show needed more storylines and less drinking. She has also said that starring in a reality show helped her feel more accountable to her family and the people watching, and that it might have helped her stop drinking sooner.
Leah McSweeney has shared a mantra that she thought about during her year of sobriety: "I've never woken up and been like, 'I really regret not drinking last night.'" She has also said that she used her year of sobriety in a positive way for herself and was able to get grounded and stay centered.