Luann de Lesseps defends BFF Sonja Morgan for ‘enjoying vodka’ before ‘WWHL’ spat with Jeff Lewis: ‘I love her’
Sonja Morgan can always count on the Countess.
Luann de Lesseps is defending her BFF and fellow “Real Housewives of New York City” alum after Jeff Lewis publicly took issue with Morgan’s drinking during the recent “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” 15th anniversary taping.
“Sonja’s very special. I adore her. But some people that don’t know her aren’t used to her antics. Let’s put it that way,” the “Marry F Kill!” cabaret performer tells Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast.
“She’s got a lot of stuff going on right now,” de Lesseps adds, acknowledging the recent auction sale of Morgan’s iconic Manhattan townhouse. “And, you know, alcohol was invented for a reason — to help you through s—t. She’s been going though a hard time.”
The “Class With the Countess” author, 59, says Morgan, 60, had simply been “enjoying vodka” when her behavior unnerved former Bravolebrity Lewis, 54.
“He was surprised, I think, because he’s never really seen her enjoying vodka that much. I love her. But she gets a little .. you know … and then she starts talking all over the place,” she says. “And she’s hard to wrangle.”
De Lesseps admits that Morgan was a tad “messy” but emphasizes that she meant no harm.
“It was a little messy, but it was fun,” de Lesseps says. “It was messy, but listen, I’ve fallen into a bush [on national television], so who am I to judge?”
Earlier this month, Lewis recounted his “WWHL” experience with Morgan on his SiriusXM “Jeff Lewis Live” radio show.
“I was very annoyed by Sonja and, I believe … that they did a lot of work to edit her obnoxious, drunk behavior, but what you see was 20 times worse,” he said.
“She never stopped talking. She was belligerent. She was rude and disrespectful. She was confrontational. She came for me at the break. I was completely turned off by her behavior.”
A source previously told Page Six that Morgan “showed up already intoxicated” to the shoot.
“She was then being served water once her condition became evident during the taping,” the insider noted.
Around the three-minute, 16-second mark of the “After Show,” Morgan can be seen holding up a shot glass to her face and then angrily telling de Lesseps, “This is water!”
The “Chic C’est La Vie” singer — who has been close with Morgan for decades — isn’t fazed by such conduct from her “Luann & Sonja: Welcome to Crappie Lake” co-star.
“I mean, I did ‘Crappie Lake’ with her so I know the drill,” she tells “Virtual Reali-Tea.”
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As for a second season of the unscripted series — heavily inspired by Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie’s era-defining reality show, “The Simple Life” — de Lesseps says discussions are ongoing.
“I think it’s really hard to find [a place to film]. It was so authentic to our producer because he grew up there,” she says of Benton, Illinois. “So it’s hard to find a town that feels authentic … but they’re definitely talking about it, so let’s hope for Season 2.”
Until then, the entertainer is embarking on a new leg of her “Marry F Kill!” cabaret tour, which kicks off July 26 at Ram’s Head Live in Baltimore, Md. Her last scheduled stop is slated for November 15 at New York City’s Sony Hall.
“I’ve been having so much fun on the road,” says de Lesseps, who recently performed for legions of fans in the UK at the 2024 Mighty Hoopla music festival in June.
“It’s been such a fabulous way to stay connected with my fans.”
