On Her Memoir: IT OPENED A LOT OF OLD WOUNDS

The Real Housewives of New York City star revisits her dark past in her new book, Chaos Theory

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Leah McSweeney isn't one to hold back. Since joining RHONY in Season 12, the no-filter star has been outspoken about her sex life, her struggles with alcohol abuse (the 39-year-old was sober for nine years before joining the Bravo show and stopped drinking again in April 2020), and being diagnosed with bipolar II disorder at age 30. But opening up in her new memoir, Chaos Theory, was more difficult than she anticipated. "I didn't think it was going to be hard. I thought, I'll write about it, and it will be fine.' But it definitely opened up old wounds," says the mom to 14-year-old Kier (dad is ex Rob Cristofaro). Here, the fashion designer talks to In Touch's Katie Bruno about looking back, her best parenting advice for her famous friend Rihanna, and her surprising celebrity crush.

Why did you decide to write a memoir?

LM: I've always wanted to write a book. It's been a dream of mine. This is my way of telling my story in my own words, without being edited.