Lala Kent claims that after Tom Sandoval was brutally jeered at their Vanderpump Rules panel at BravoCon earlier this month, Ariana Madix wasn’t exactly thrilled to see her take over.
Lala, 33, reflected on her attempt to quiet the crowd during this week’s Amazon Live session. She did this by pointing out that Sandoval, 40, was not required to attend the Las Vegas event, reaffirming her current relationship status with Ariana, 38, and disclosing her “rock bottom” moment.
Regarding Ariana’s response to her support of Sandoval, Lala remarked that although Ariana seems “annoyed” at the moment, things are going well for them right now.
“I think in the moment after I said that she was probably annoyed with me. But I have really great conversations with Ariana and this season is going to look very different,” Lala explained to fans on Amazon Live on November 13, via Us Weekly.
According to Lala, a number of members of the Pump Rules cast were “very raw and confused” about where they stood with Sandoval amid filming on season 11 — but “not everybody.” In fact, Lala confirmed some people “are still standing strong” in how they feel about Sandoval following the March reveal of his months-long affair with now-ex-castmate Rachel “Raquel” Leviss.
“But I know that Ariana knows me and sometimes I have to remind her that, ‘Even though I say these things, it doesn’t mean I’m going to invite him to Christmas dinner. It doesn’t mean I’m checking in on him. Like, you are my friend. I will always be honest with you and I will always support you. I am not blind to what you have gone through,’” Lala explained.
While Lala may have softened to Sandoval since filming the season 10 reunion, where she and her co-stars berated him and Raquel over their secret romance, that doesn’t mean her friendship with Ariana isn’t solid.
“I feel like we’re in a really great place,” she shared. “[And] if she ever became my enemy, it would not be because I chose that, and I don’t see her choosing that either.”
Nevertheless, season 11 did cause her to view “Scandoval” differently.
“I thought what [Sandoval] did to my friend was completely absurd.” However, I also had my own unique experience,” she said. “Everything he said to me at that moment made me feel as though I was on fire. Cut to a period of eight months. I am aware of what I stated, and I stand by it all. But eventually, you have to move on.
In an interview with Us Weekly at BravoCon, Lala talked about her defense of Sandoval from jeers, claiming she “just felt like it was enough.”
“I don’t know that it was really directly for Sandoval. It was just like, we can’t keep doing this. We’ve got to move on at some point,” she explained. “And I didn’t feel like the punishment is fitting the crime any longer.”
Lala also recently spoke of her rock bottom moment amid her sobriety.
I’ve been clean for five years now. This day, I relive my lowest point. Everything that transpired on this particular day. waking up, realizing I was helpless, and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel for the first time in a long time. I’m really appreciative of today. I’m going to keep working hard to maintain my sobriety and observe a moment of quiet in honor of the alcoholic who is still suffering. I adore you and I see you. God, I thank you. To me, happy birthday! Last month, Lala wrote a caption for an Instagram picture.
Vanderpump Rules season 11 will premiere on Bravo in January 2024.