Andy Cohen Defends Asking ‘Real Housewives’ Stars About What Plastic Surgery ‘Work’ They’ve Had Done

Andy Cohen is defending his decision to ask Real Housewives stars about their alleged or assumed plastic surgery.

“‘What work have you done?’ remains at the top of the list of viewer questions every season, every franchise,” Cohen, 56, wrote via X on Wednesday, January 29. “The HW have unabashedly let us into their beauty regimes since day one; It’s a big part of the series DNA.”

The explanation came after one fan questioned why the Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen host discusses people’s physical appearances during reunion shows.

“@Andy the millions of women who watch these franchises are tired of you asking women ‘what work they had done?’” one user wrote via X on Wednesday. “This isn’t 2009 anymore and women can do whatever they want to their face/bodies. It’s time to retire this question. It’s rude and does 0 for the viewers #RHONY.”

As the season 15 cast of The Real Housewives of New York City kicked off their two-part reunion show on Tuesday, January 28, Cohen complimented Jessel Taank’s new “airbrushed” look.

“I have to say, you’ve gotten a glow-up since last season,” Cohen shared. “You look like an airbrushed version of yourself. What has happened?”

At first, Taank, 45, appeared hesitant to answer when she playfully asked, “I mean, was I heinous before?”

“I don’t know,” she added. “I think I cut my hair and lost some weight.”

After a few more questions, Taank got a little more specific about her recent beauty treatments.

“I get Botox, and I get filler,” she revealed. “I’ve always done that, OK? And I take care of my skin, lots of water, and I lost some weight.”

When Cohen pointed out that her teeth “also look different,” Taank confirmed she got veneers.

“They look great,” costars Erin Lichy and Sai De Silva said nearly in unison while listening to the conversation.

Cohen himself has been open about his own plastic surgery — or lack thereof. During a November 2024 appearance on the “How to Fail” podcast, the best-selling author talked about whether he’s had any Botox.

“I’ve not touched it,” Cohen shared. “Joan Rivers, before she died, used to beg me to get Botox and every guy that I know who’s hosting a TV show, mainly all of them are younger than me or about my age, they all have had Botox. I look at their foreheads. I’m like, ‘Your forehead does not move.’ “How about that? The gay guy is the one that doesn’t have the Botox!”

The Real Housewives of New York City reunion continues on Bravo Tuesday, February 4, at 9 p.m. ET. Stream old episodes anytime on Peacock.