Andy Cohen officiates gay virtual wedding alongside Real Housewives stars in honour of Pride Month
Andy Cohen officiated the virtual wedding of viewers Robert and Justin during an episode of Watch What Happens Live after the couple’s original plans fell through because of coronavirus.
On Sunday, Cohen celebrated the last few days of Pride Month by helping the couple tie the knot in front of viewers and virtual guests, which included singer Patti LaBelle, Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kandi Burruss, and Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne.
For the occasion, which took place via video chat, the two men dressed in suits with bow ties and stood in front of a blue balloon-filled backdrop.
"I want to get started before we lose the venue. Oh wait, we're all at home," Cohen began. "Well, let's get started anyway.
“Dearly beloved Watch What Happens Live fans, and people at home who haven't worn pants in three months. We are gathered here tonight in front of Patti LaBelle ... to join this man, Justin, and this man, Robert, in virtual internet matrimony - unless their Wifi craps out first.”
After saying their “I Dos,” the couple read their vows to one another while the TV audience watched.
“So Robert, you’re my best friend, you’re my partner-in-crime, I love you very much, and to quote Dr Seuss, he says: ‘We’re a little weird and life’s a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love,’” Justin said in part.
Robert then shared his vows, before Cohen led the couple in exchanging rings.
"By the powers vested in me, for some ungodly reason, I now pronounce you husbands," the WWHL host said. "You may kiss each other!"
Later during Sunday’s episode, LaBelle performed Love, Need and Want You for the couple.
Cohen teamed up with The Real Real to sponsor the wedding, which announced it would be donating a portion of proceeds from purchases made between 28-30 June directly to the National Black Justice Coalition.
Last year, Cohen, who became the first gay host of a late-night talk show when Watch What Happens Live premiered in 2009, revealed to Oprah Magazine why it is so important that the show is inclusive of everyone.
"I wanted Watch What Happens Live to be inclusive of everyone from the moment we started in 2009," he said, adding that he's "proud" to be the only gay late-night talk show host.
"I like to think there’s some kid in St Louis who turns on my show and is like: 'Wow! That guy’s gay, and he seems happy.' I didn’t have that, and there are so many stories being told in every form, in every medium. It’s a great moment to be gay."
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