Bethenny Frankel ‘exploited’ Raquel Leviss with interview
Lala Kent accuses Bethenny Frankel of exploiting Raquel Leviss during her first interview after the Scandoval incident. The star of “Vanderpump Rules” criticized the “Real Housewives of New York” alum for pushing her anti-reality TV agenda onto the vulnerable Leviss. Kent expressed her happiness that Leviss finally had the opportunity to share her story on a large platform but believed that Frankel took advantage of her once again. Kent’s co-host, Jessica Walter, added that this behavior goes against everything Frankel preaches. Kent suggested that Frankel saw Leviss as an easy target for manipulation and attempted to shape the narrative to her advantage. Kent, who previously admired Frankel, was disappointed to see her out of touch with both reality and reality TV. She accused Frankel of exploiting Leviss and questioned why anyone would allow her to conduct the interview.
In response to Kent’s comments, representatives for Frankel did not immediately respond. However, it is worth noting that Kent herself has been profiting off the Scandoval drama by discussing it on her podcast and selling merchandise. Meanwhile, Frankel has been criticizing Bravo for how they treat their reality stars.
Kent also criticized Leviss for sending legal letters to the “Vanderpump Rules” cast, requesting the removal of an explicit video. Kent expressed her frustration towards Leviss on Instagram and listed $50 sweatshirts featuring her remarks on her online store.
During Frankel’s interview with Leviss, they discussed Leviss’ affair with Sandoval and the aftermath. Leviss claimed she is now in debt and has not received any compensation for the scandal, while Sandoval has been rewarded. Lisa Vanderpump, the show’s executive producer, denied Leviss’ claim and stated that she made $361,000 for Season 10. Leviss also described the Scandoval incident as a wake-up call and confirmed that she will not be returning for Season 11.
Frankel made explosive claims against Bravo and NBCUniversal, alleging that reality stars are manipulated, given alcohol, and subjected to revenge porn. Her lawyers sent a legal letter to the TV network, accusing them of grotesque mistreatment. Frankel also revealed her efforts to organize a union for reality TV performers in support of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
Lala Kent claims Bethenny Frankel “exploited” Raquel Leviss when she sat down for her first interview post-Scandoval.
The “Vanderpump Rules” star slammed the “Real Housewives of New York” alum for seemingly pushing her anti-reality TV “agenda” on the impressionable Leviss.
“Well it was a hit. A lot of people listened,” Kent said on Wednesday’s episode of “Give Them Lala”, where she discussed Frankel’s sit-down with Leviss last week.
“I’m happy that [Raquel] finally got to take advantage of a giant platform to tell her story. I only saw clips. And what I gathered from it is, Bethenny completely exploited that girl yet again,” Kent continued.
Kent’s co-host, Jessica Walter, chimed in, noting that it “goes against everything [Bethenny] is preaching.”
“To me, she sat there and said, ‘this girl is going to be easy to manipulate because I’m Bethenny Frankel,’” Kent said, suggesting the Skinnygirl founder attempted to “place Raquel in the narrative” that best suited her.
“It was actually really sad to me because I really liked Bethenny Frankel. I felt like everything she said always made sense. She was a great arguer. She was extremely intelligent.”
The mother of one, 32, then slammed Frankel for being out of touch with both “reality” and “reality TV.”
“I felt like Bethenny really tried to like push her into a certain direction,” she alleged.
“And Rachel being someone who … is very easy to manipulate. You put words out there and she’s like ‘yeah that’s how I feel’ [but] it’s like, you don’t.”
She added, “I don’t know why anyone would allow her to do that interview.”
Reps for Frankel did not immediately return TheFantasyTimes’s request for comment.
However, despite her comments, Kent was also able to profit off “Scandoval,” consistently talking about the drama on her podcast as well as selling merch.
She slammed Leviss for sending the “Pump Rules” cast legal letters requesting they delete an explicit video of her which was found by Tom Sandoval’s girlfriend, Ariana Madix.
“Raquel, tell your little Mickey Mouse lawyer that if he has stuff to send over, he can send things to my lawyer,” Kent ranted on Instagram.
“Send it to Darrell,” she added, referencing her attorney.
Just one day later, the Give Them Lala Beauty founder listed $50 sweatshirts featuring the quippy remark on her online store.
During Frankel’s sit-down with Leviss, 28, the pair discussed the pageant queen’s months-long affair with Sandoval, and the subsequent fallout.
Leviss claimed she’s now in debt and hasn’t “seen a penny” from the scandal while Sandoval, 41, “was being rewarded” for his part.
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Lisa Vanderpump, the show’s executive producer, denied Leviss’ claim and insisted she made $361,000 for Season 10.
Elsewhere in the three-part interview on Frankel’s “Just B” podcast, Leviss — who will not be returning for “Vanderpump Rules” Season 11 — described “Scandoval” as “the biggest wakeup call.”
“You hit rock bottom,” Frankel told her interviewee, who agreed with a clear-cut “Yes.”
Meanwhile, Frankel, 52, hit Bravo and its parent company, NBCUniversal, with bombshell claims that reality stars are manipulated, plied with booze and are the victims of revenge porn.
Her lawyers, Mark Geragos and Bryan Friedman, sent a stinging legal letter to the TV network that launched her career alleging “grotesque and depraved mistreatment.”
The “Apprentice” alum also confirmed she was trying to organize a union for reality TV performers, amid the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
