Leah McSweeney jokes ‘hell has frozen over’ because she and Ramona Singer are in a ‘good place’

Leah McSweeney was the newbie last season on the Real Housewives of New York but for her sophomore season, the 38-year-old has a year of sobriety under her belt.

The fashion designer exclusively sat down with DailyMailTV senior correspondent Alicia Quarles and opened up about how difficult it’s been to stay on the wagon during COVID-19.

She also reveals that ‘hell maybe has frozen over’ in season 13 of RHONY since she and Ramona Singer are finally in a ‘good place.’

Big Apple: Leah McSweeney exclusively sat down with DailyMailTV senior correspondent Alicia Quarles to talk season 13 of the Real Housewives of New York

After bursting onto the scene last year as the RHONY fan favorite, going into her second season, Leah said she wondered: ‘does it all go downhill after this?’

‘Sometimes, I’m sure with some people, being on TV does change them, you know? And sometimes it’s not really for the better. Me personally? I don’t think I’m any different,’ she reflected.

Perhaps, at her core, McSweeney is the same but unlike her first season, the reality star was sober while filming this time around.

‘It was hard. I’m not going to lie,’ she explained. ‘I did have a reference point, obviously, because I didn’t drink for nine years. So it was definitely nowhere near as difficult as the first time that I quit drinking. But it was still hard because, like, who wants to be in reality when you’re in a lockdown during a pandemic?’

'It was hard. I'm not going to lie,' Leah said of staying sober. 'I did have a reference point, obviously, because I didn't drink for nine years. So it was definitely nowhere near as difficult as the first time that I quit drinking. But it was still hard because, like, who wants to be in reality when you're in a lockdown during a pandemic?'

‘It was hard. I’m not going to lie,’ Leah said of staying sober. ‘I did have a reference point, obviously, because I didn’t drink for nine years. So it was definitely nowhere near as difficult as the first time that I quit drinking. But it was still hard because, like, who wants to be in reality when you’re in a lockdown during a pandemic?’

Ultimately, Leah learned that not feeling groggy or hungover made filming more enjoyable but she admits that this year lacked some of her more wild moments – despite donning crystal pasties at a party in one episode.

‘Obviously, there were some amazing TV moments of me throwing raviolis and having a total, like, exorcism in Rhode Island and throwing the tiki torches,’ Leah said. ‘That was great and I’m glad it worked out.’

Adding: ‘But, for me and my health and my life, and me and my daughter, this is definitely, definitely a better choice for me for sure.’ 

Doing it for her: Ultimately, Leah learned that not feeling groggy or hungover made filming more enjoyable but she admits that this year lacked some of her more wild moments – despite donning crystal pasties at a party in one episode

As a veteran this year, Leah knew what to expect when it came to her tight knit co-stars, particularly Luann, Sonja and Ramona. 

And, Leah revealed to DailyMailTV that after a tense relationship with one particular Housewife notorious for ruffling feathers things are finally going smoothly.

‘Me and Ramona are in a good place right now. I love that,’ she said with a laugh. ‘Yes, and hell maybe has frozen over, I don’t know.’

‘I think it was so much conflict going on around us in the world. I’m like, “oh, my God, I can’t be – I need to make this work”. I need for us to have some kind of common ground with each other,’ Leah continued, adding: ‘And we made it happen.”

‘Me and Ramona are in a good place right now. I love that,’ Leah said with a laugh. ‘Yes, and hell maybe has frozen over, I don’t know.’

McSweeney also has a built-in ally this year, new Housewife Eboni K. Williams who was her good friend from before the show. 

A strong alpha female herself, Leah said Eboni didn’t need much guidance to find her footing but she was there to offer up some encouragement.

‘I guess when there were times where she was like, “ugh, oh my god girl. This is a lot” I’m like, “yes but it’s going to be worth it,”‘ Leah said. ‘And I just … I told her to be herself. That was the main thing. Be yourself.’ 

The Real Housewives of New York City season 13 premieres on Tuesday May 4 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo.

Tune in: The Real Housewives of New York City season 13 premieres on Tuesday May 4 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo

Tune in: The Real Housewives of New York City season 13 premieres on Tuesday May 4 at 9pm ET/PT on Bravo