Former Real Housewives of New York City star Leah McSweeney has taken legal action against Bravo, filing a discrimination lawsuit claiming that she was required to miss her grandmother's funeral due to filming obligations. McSweeney's lawsuit comes in the wake of Vanity Fair's investigation into Bravo's relationship with the Real Housewives franchise stars, highlighting deep-rooted concerns within the network.

According to reports, McSweeney submitted a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regarding her participation in filming for Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip (RHUGT) earlier this year. DailyMail.com has reached out to Bravo representatives for comment but has not received a response at this time.

One of McSweeney's main grievances is that she had to forgo attending her grandmother's funeral due to a scheduling conflict with a RHUGT trip to the Hamptons. While a production source stated that she was offered flexible arrangements to be with her family, McSweeney claims that the reality fell short of these promises.

"It hurt so bad that I was not able to grieve. That I had people not showing me any kind of compassion or humanity regarding it," expressed McSweeney. The heartbreaking loss of her grandmother plunged her into a profound depressive episode, ultimately leading her to spend eight days in a psychiatric facility.

Furthermore, McSweeney alleges that producers for RHONY informed her that viewers did not find her as likable while sober compared to when she was drinking. She specifically claims she was told that there was a significant contrast in her behavior between the two states. This revelation played a substantial role in her decision to leave RHONY; however, she later agreed to participate in RHUGT for a reported sum of $250,000, where she claims her castmates encouraged her to consume alcohol.

Marysol Patton expressed her longing for McSweeney to drink by texting her, "I wish you were still drinking. That's all," while Gizelle Bryant questioned whether her sobriety would be a significant issue if she resumed drinking during the Thailand trip.

In response to these allegations, Bravo's attorney has vehemently denied any discriminatory actions. The attorney maintains that production went to great lengths to accommodate McSweeney, including support for her alleged disabilities related to her past struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. However, McSweeney believes that these offers were either reneged upon or not genuinely extended.

Leah McSweeney's discrimination lawsuit against Bravo sheds light on the challenges faced by reality stars and their personal lives amidst rigid filming schedules. This case brings attention to the ongoing debate surrounding the treatment of cast members within the reality TV industry and raises questions about the overall well-being and support provided by networks during production.

As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how Bravo will respond to these allegations and whether Leah McSweeney's lawsuit will prompt changes in the way reality stars' personal needs are addressed during filming commitments.