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Leah McSweeney

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Leah McSweeney
McSweeney in 2009
Born
Leah Christine McSweeney

(1982-08-27) August 27, 1982 (age 42)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation
  • Fashion designer
Years active2004–present
Children1

Leah Christine McSweeney[1] (born August 27, 1982)[1] is an American fashion designer and television personality. She founded the women's streetwear line Married to the Mob in 2004, and has starred on the reality television series The Real Housewives of New York City from 2020 to 2021.

Life

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Early life

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McSweeney was born in Manhattan to Bryan and Bernadette "Bunny" McSweeney and raised in an Irish-Italian family.[1] She attended the Convent of the Sacred Heart Catholic all-girls school on the Upper East Side. After being expelled at 14, her family moved to Newtown, Connecticut.[2]

In 2002, McSweeney suffered several injuries in a physical altercation with the New York Police Department.[3] She, along with streetwear designer Rob Cristofaro, used her $75,000 settlement to create Married to the Mob, a line of feminine streetwear.[4]

Career

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Married to the Mob

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Married to the Mob (MTTM) has made several collaborations since its initiation. Amongst its first major collaborations featured a Kangol cashmere 'beanie' cap[5] and a Kaws two-piece graphic swimsuit. Later, MTTM would collaborate with German accessory brand MCM, and French boutique Colette for a limited-edition Reebok lip-print sneaker.[6] MTTM would later create another limited-edition sneaker with Nike. MTTM have also collaborated with French graffiti artist Fafi,[7] Krink, and Jessy "Nite Rider" Kennedy.[8] MTTM has also released collections with models including Chanel West Coast, Kid Sister, Lil Debbie, and the Clermont twins.

Reality television

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In 2010, McSweeney appeared as a client on an episode on Bravo's The Millionaire Matchmaker.[9] Her appearance on Matchmaker was well received by critics, and has led to appearances and cameos on other television programs, including VH1's Love & Hip Hop: New York.

McSweeney was confirmed to have joined The Real Housewives of New York City during an appearance at Bravo's "BravoCon" fan convention in November 2019.[10] McSweeney was referred to production by former cast member Bethenny Frankel, who left the series after the previous season.[11]

McSweeney officially signed on for her second season as a full-time cast member of The Real Housewives of New York City.[12] McSweeney held off on renewing her contract until she was offered a higher salary, being paid only $3,000 an episode during her season 12 stint.[13]

In March 2023, McSweeney starred in the third season of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip on Peacock.

Other projects

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In 2015, McSweeney became a featured recurring star on Shade 45's Lip Service with Angela Yee of Power 105.1. The following year, she began Improper Etiquette with Laura Stylez of Hot 97. On the podcast, McSweeney and Stylez provide candid perspectives and advice on lifestyle and current issues with occasional celebrity interviews.[14]

McSweeney has been a frequent contributor to the online publication Hypebeast, where she offers commentary on wellness, streetwear style, and motherhood. She also writes an advice column for Penthouse magazine.[15]

On June 27, 2018, McSweeney wrote a controversial article for Penthouse titled Can We Talk About Toxic Femininity?[16] where she criticized Rose McGowan and Asia Argento and accused them of using the #MeToo movement for personal gain. McSweeney received wide backlash and praise alike for her op-ed piece.

On December 10, 2018, McSweeney co-wrote an investigative article about Anti Semitism and corruption within the Women's March organization for Tablet Magazine [17] titled "Is The Women's March Melting Down?"

In March 2023, McSweeney launched a podcast on YouTube and other platforms called The Leah McSweeney Show,[18] where she interviewed individuals such as model Teddy Quinlivan,[19] publicist Kelly Cutrone,[20] Fox News' Gutfeld! panelist Kat Timpf[21] and 2024 Democratic presidential candidate Marianne Williamson, the latter of whom she endorsed.[22][23]

Personal life

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McSweeney gave birth to her only child with Rob Cristofaro, daughter Kier Marie, in 2007.[24]

McSweeney converted to Judaism in March 2022.[25]

Filmography

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Film
Year Title Role Notes
2023 The Kill Room Alisha
Television
Year Title Notes Ref.
2010 The Millionaire Matchmaker "Opposites Don't Attract" (season 4, episode 7) [9]
2013 Celebrity Page Season 7, episode 126
2015 Love & Hip Hop: New York "Call Your Bluff" (season 5, episode 9)
2020–21 The Real Housewives of New York City Main cast member (seasons 12-13)
2020 Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen Season 17, episode 70
2023 The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Main cast (season 3)
2023 The Other Two Season Three, Self/Hottie #1

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c McSweeney in Lam, Wendy (July 19, 2007). "Let's Get Intimate with... Leah @ Married to the Mob". Nitrolicious. Archived from the original on June 18, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  2. ^ "Queen Tee: The Designer Who's Beating the Boys". The New York Observer. 9 October 2007.
  3. ^ "Leah McSweeney's Arrest". Heavy. July 1, 2020. Retrieved Jan 1, 2022.
  4. ^ "How Leah McSweeney Went From Starting Married to the Mob to Joining 'The Real Housewives of New York City'". Complex Networks. April 17, 2020. Retrieved Jan 2, 2022.
  5. ^ "Married to the Mob x Kangol Beanie". Hypebeast. December 18, 2007. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  6. ^ Espinoza, Joshua (April 18, 2019). "Married to the Mob and Reebok Classics Reunited 10 Years After First Collaboration". Complex. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  7. ^ "Fafi x MTTM I". Married to the Mob. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  8. ^ "Jessy Kennedy for Married to the Mob "Heather" Tee". Hypebeast. March 23, 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Watch Opposites Don't Attract". Bravo. November 30, 2010. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  10. ^ Quinn, Dave (November 15, 2019). "Leah McSweeney Is Bravo's Newest Real Housewives of New York City Star". People. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  11. ^ Quinn, Dave; McNeil, Liz (February 12, 2020). "Bethenny Frankel Helped Cast Leah McSweeney on RHONY Before Her Exit: Sources". People. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  12. ^ Naumann, Ryan (22 September 2020). "'RHONY' Star Leah McSweeney Signs Contract, Returning For Season 13 After Holding Out For Raise". The Blast. Retrieved 2020-09-22.
  13. ^ Cook, Cynthia (15 September 2020). "Leah McSweeney's RHONY Salary Is Revealed As She Might Not Return Next Season After Reportedly Receiving A Low Ball Offer And 'Minuscule' Pay Raise From Bravo". Reality Blurb!. Retrieved 2020-09-15.
  14. ^ "Laura Stylez & Leah McSweeney Kick Off 'Improper Etiquette' Podcast". Snobette. May 20, 2016. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  15. ^ Briscuso, Lex (August 23, 2019). "Leah McSweeney Joins the 'Real Housewives of New York' Cast After Bethenny's Exit: 'She's Perfect for the Show'". Life & Style. Retrieved May 31, 2020.
  16. ^ McSweeney, Leah. "Can We Talk About Toxic Femininity?". Penthouse. Retrieved 2018-06-27.
  17. ^ "Is the Women's March Melting Down? - Tablet Magazine".
  18. ^ Hodgkins, Taylor (2023-03-18). "'RHONY' Alumna Leah McSweeney Launches A New Podcast!". The Blast. Retrieved 2023-04-27.
  19. ^ "Cuckhold's & Controversy with Trans Model Teddy Quinlivan". YouTube. The Leah McSweeney Show. 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  20. ^ "Nothing But The Truth With Kelly Cutrone". YouTube. The Leah McSweeney Show. 2023-03-23. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  21. ^ |url=https://youtube/aM1d45_hRn0
  22. ^ "Marianne Williamson: A Mother in The White House (around 01:03:20)". YouTube. The Leah McSweeney Show. 2023-04-25. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  23. ^ Marie, Ashley (April 28, 2023). "RHONY Leah McSweeney endorses Marianne Williamson for president". Starcasm. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  24. ^ Laviola, Erin (April 2, 2020). "Rob Cristofaro, Leah McSweeney's Ex: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  25. ^ Vena, Jocelyn (24 March 2022). "Leah McSweeney Has Completed Her Conversion to Judaism". Bravo TV.
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