Andy Cohen could cast a trans woman on Real Housewives... but Bravo honcho has rule about who would qualify

Since 2006, The Real Housewives franchise has been following the drama of affluent women and their families across the nation.

However, in the 22 years since it's debut, the series has yet to cast a trans person in a lead role. 

Bravo honcho Andy Cohen answered fans' burning questions during an appearance the Newport Beach TV Fest - where he was asked if they would ever cast a trans housewife. 

Cohen, 58, said the ideal candidate would be someone who is already friends with a housewife and not a person who would be cast as a 'stunt.' 

'I think if there was a trans housewife who was friends with other housewives, that would be the way,' Cohen told the audience. 'You wouldn't want it to be stunt.

'You wouldn't want it to be like, "Oh, you know, let's cast into this." If someone was friends with that person, and that would be great. I have no idea what franchise that would be.'

As an example, Cohen recalled how they once 'flirted' with the idea of casting Jaime Laurita, a gay man who is the brother of RHONJ stars Caroline and Dina Manzo.  

'I've talked about this, but in an early season of Jersey, there was a conversation about maybe casting Caroline and Dina have a gay brother,' he said. 'There was a moment where we were flirting with that idea.'

Ultimately, the heart of the franchise is about 'celebrating women.'   

'I think that in terms of casting a gay guy on the show, and this is show about women and celebrating women, so I think we’ll leave it there.'

The Real Housewives franchise debuted in 2006 with The Real Housewives of Orange County before it expanded across the U.S. with casts in Beverly Hills, New York City, Potomac, Atlanta, and more. 

The cast of RHOC were present for Cohen's appearance at the Lido Theater, with Vicki Gunvalson presenting him with Variety's Creative Impact in Television Award.

Emily Simpson, Shannon Beador, Tamra Judge, Gina Kirschenheiter, Jennifer Pedranti were all there as well, although Heather Dubrow was noticeably absent, as was Cohen's new boyfriend Kevin Sobieski.

After the event, Cohen and the RHOC cast all went to The Quiet Woman in Corona Del Mar to enjoy the rest of their night.

The group had their own table in the restaurant, with staff members doing their best to keep eager fans from bombarding them.

Meanwhile, Cohen's appearance comes amid a new love in his life. 

Cohen finally confirmed on Radio Andy that he has been dating Kevin Sobieski for almost a year, adding that he finally found his 'person' in the 42-year-old. 

'I really am happy,' Cohen gushed. 'I can't believe I found this guy. I just cannot believe it. I'm in shock.'

The Watch What Happens Live host also explained that his high dating standards have never wavered and that he was meticulous in his search for the perfect partner.

'I don’t want to be with the wrong person. I value my time too much. I value my life too much,' he said.

'I have great friends and a great life and great kids. My criteria about what I was looking for never changed. It’s always been a feeling for me. I’ve always followed the feeling. I am really happy to say that I met the person.'

The pair met at a party in the Hamptons last year, where Cohen gave Sobieski his phone number after feeling an immediate spark.

Their connection grew rapidly and Cohen eventually introduced the Ivy League graduate to his two children; son Benjamin, seven, and daughter Lucy, four.

'This man is kind and strong and smart and he is an adult and he loves my children and they love him and I love him,' Cohen gushed.

'Introducing him to the kids and just entering him into the equation of my family so slowly, I have to say it has been so easy.' 

Their romance managed to remain private until Cohen celebrated his 58th birthday alongside Sobieski this past Tuesday, in a sighting that made headlines.