Vanderpump Rules viewers have mixed feelings about Lala Kent these days, and that’s putting it lightly. For the most part, fan opinion has pretty viciously turned against Lala.
Those watching VPR Season 11 have seen Lala’s attempt to essentially bring Tom Sandoval back into the fold. Such actions are frustrating since many feel that Tom hasn’t earned this treatment.
Add to this news the fact that Lala got into it with Ariana Madix at the reunion and it was lights out for Lala. For her part, she is aware of the backlash and trying to rise above it. Perhaps it was these loud opinions that made Lala reflect on her Pump Rules beginnings.
Was Lala too young to join Vanderpump Rules?
Lala recently appeared with James Kennedy on Bravo’s Hot Mic Podcast. The two discussed what it was like watching old episodes. “I can’t watch OG episodes. I am mortified and so annoyed by myself. I’m like, I get why people were, like, a little turned off by it,” Lala laughed. “I was really annoying.” James reminded her it was just a show, and she said, “I know, but it’s still me.”
She figured that in 20 years, she’d be able to look back at the show with other feelings. In pointing out that she was only 24 when she joined the show, she reflected, “So to think about 24-year-old me, who had never left home. I had always lived with my parents. It was like, very intimidating to come out to a city like this.”
Lala also admitted it was daunting to come into a group that was already quite “cliquey.” However, things eventually turned around for the young reality star. “I had two rough seasons.
And then all of the sudden, the reunion of season five, it was like I was coming in guns blazing, prepared to not come back. And all of a sudden, towards the end, everyone kind of let their guard down with me.”
Vanderpump Rules continues Tuesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF LALA’S EARLY SEASONS? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HER NOW?
Even though The Valley is only halfway through its premiere season, there is a couple that is standing out from the crowd due to their tenuous marriage. Jesse Lally and Michelle Lally, both real estate agents from Los Angeles, are currently going through quite a rough patch, with the latter facing accusations of cheating on her husband.
Viewers have watched Michelle openly admit that she resents her husband for going back to work after the worldwide pandemic, leaving her home with their daughter. Jesse has also opened up about thinking that his wife doesn’t like who he is as a person.
Honestly, their entire relationship is a bit of a mess. But watching a marriage unfold in front of your eyes is hard. Now, during the time of filming, it looked like for a second, both were willing to try couples therapy. However, as we know now, both have decided to move on from a relationship that wasn’t serving either of them.
Jesse was a slow burn, but once he opened up, it seemed that almost everyone knew about Michelle possibly dating a famed Hollywood director in secret. Both Jax Taylor and Luke Broderick hinted at infidelity during their confessionals. Luke seemed to be bursting to spill some piping hot tea, claiming that what he knew could end Michelle and Jesse’s marriage. Thankfully, Jax gave us a little bit more by describing Michelle’s friendship with a well-known director.
Word on the curb, according to Jax, was, “Michelle always claims she doesn’t know who famous people are. But she was going on with that director; she was going out with him for a couple of days straight. She goes to the Château Marmont every day from her house and she happened to meet him at the pool, and they get along.”
Jax went even further sharing, “It turned out to be another day. And then another day, Like, you don’t think this is peculiar? I know she’s a real estate agent, so this is a potential customer. Jesse doesn’t seem too bothered by it. I don’t know whether I believe it or not.” After the episode, Michelle took to her Instagram Stories to write, “Absolutely not. Part of my job as a real estate agent is to network and build relationships. It had absolutely nothing to do with dating anyone.”
A secret lover
Photo by: Casey Durkin/Bravo
A lot of the rumors center around Michelle while Jesse is still, for the most part, coming out smelling like roses. Kristen Doute, who can’t help but drop her two cents in, divulged that she had tried to protect her former friend by shouting to producers, “Because she had a f*cking boyfriend for a year.”
Kristen let loose, yelling, “There, we all said it. Now she’s protecting him and not me … About a year ago, Michelle and Jesse were very unhappy. Michelle had a guy. She was seeing him, they were hanging out. I was not against any of this because I think Jesse is a piece of sh*t.”
As of today, Michelle has not addressed Kristen’s rumors. But during a Q&A segment on her Instagram, she did reveal that she is dating “Someone amazing. I like our little privacy for the moment.”
During the same heated argument, Jesse admitted to Bravo cameras that he had a few outstanding questions that always had him wondering. The Boston native said, “She used to yell at me when we first started dating. If I put my cell phone down and then all of a sudden she starts putting her cell phone face down.”
The move raised concerns for Jesse as he shared, “For years, she wouldn’t go out and have a margarita without doing boomerang. Then, all of a sudden, no more posts. Her thing was, ‘Well, sometimes I want to take a break from social media.’ Bullsh*t. She never took a break from social media, ever.”
There is no doubt that nowadays, anyone can be their own private investigator thanks to the birth of social media, VPNs, and cell phones. So Jesse’s concerns seemed valid. But Michelle downplayed her husband’s concerns, stating, “That shouldn’t be in your head, and you shouldn’t think like that. You shouldn’t have to worry. We have never had that type of relationship where we have to worry about each other. And I’ve been honest with you.”
The Valley continues Tuesday nights at 9/8c on Bravo.
TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CHEATING RUMORS? CAN YOU BELIEVE THE VALLEY IS SO PACKED FULL OF DRAMA?
In theory, Tamra should’ve responded similarly. Instead, she surprisingly seemed cool with Alexis and John being together. Perhaps Tamra’s attitude was bolstered by the feud. Perhaps it was in spite of the feud. Nevertheless, Shannon and Vicki were probably fuming.
In recent John and Alexis news, matchmaker Patti Stanger said she feared that John was “love bombing” his new partner. Vicki agreed, piling on Alexis and John’s much-maligned relationship. Tamra, however, wasn’t having it. She criticized Vicki for her past relationships with Brooks Ayers and Steve Lodge.
Tamra jumps to defend Alexis’ social media comments
Tamra made her frustration with Vicki’s “hypocritical” comments clear on Two Ts In A Pod. “Rich coming from Vicki. Rich with her last two relationships with Brooks and Steve. So, a little bit of a hypocritical comment to post.” Tamra and her co-host, Teddi Mellencamp, disagreed with each other on Alexis’ social media presence.
Teddi suggested that Alexis was overcompensating in her efforts to defend her relationship on social media. Tamra disagreed, saying, “I think she’s sick of people attacking their relationship. They have been together six months. And they’re extremely happy. And she’s just sick of it.” Speaking of defending her relationship, Alexis wasn’t shy to respond to Patti.
“Stanger has never even met Johnny,” Alexis wrote in an Instagram upload. “Nor is she my friend!!! And anything she THINKS she knows about John are lies and based off misinformation. The forever single ‘matchmaker’ is worried about me????? Worry about yourself. Not me sweetie. I’m good.”
Photo Credit: Paul Archuleta/Getty Images for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Wow. That was fast. Even for Bravo. The Valley stars Jesse Lally and Michelle Lally announced their divorce just over a month ago at the show’s premiere party. Apparently, they’ve both moved on ’cause he’s already got a new girl.
Who is Jesse’s new girlfriend?
Photo Credit: Casey Durkin/Bravo
Since their split, rumor has it that Michelle is seeing someone new. Jesse also has a new lady friend at his side. Even though they didn’t go public with the divorce, the pair actually separated last October. They mutually agreed to date other people since that time.
According to the Daily Mail, Jesse’s new gal is philanthropist and mental health advocate Lacy Nicole. They may have known each other for some time as they’ve reportedly been “trying to keep their romance out of the spotlight.” But on April 27, they hit the red carpet together at Sparkle’s Drag Spectacular at the Comedy Chateau in Hollywood.
Lacy is a socialite with her own foundation, Shame to Sparkle. She provides help to people who suffer from both trauma and PTSD. Additionally, she has her own friends in the Bravo universe, including RHOC alum Gretchen Rossi and Real Housewives of Dubai star Caroline Stanbury. But she’s not interested in the spotlight, so don’t expect to see her on The Valley anytime soon.
The pair attended the event, which was a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, in support of artist Jared Lipscomb. Jared is an Ambassador for the foundation and was performing to help raise money for the good cause.
In a clip from his April 23 Viall Files podcast, the Season 21 Bachelor declared, “The math isn’t mathing.”
Nick is “floored” by the number of times he’s heard Pump Rules cast members say they’re broke. “How can you be on TV for the better part of a decade [and] amass a large social media following that, if you do anything with [it], is a good payday?” he asked.
“There’s a lot of people not saving, unfortunately,” he admitted. “I think that’s the new norm these days … The [VPR] cast is a good example of how you can make a lot of money and still be poor.”
Some of the cast have invested their cash into real estate, restaurants, and business ventures rather than banking it. In March 2023, after Scandoval broke, Ariana Madix claimed she had only $2,000 in the bank. She couldn’t afford to move out and had to cohabitate with her cheating ex in the house they’d bought together.
“The internet thinks I’ve made millions of dollars,” she said at the time. “That is not true, and it’s, like, on March 1 [2023], was I financially prepared to move? No.” Much of her cash went into her and co-star Katie Maloney’s sandwich shop, Something About Her, which still has yet to open.
Fortunately for Ariana, she soon got commercial opportunities with Lays, Duracell, SoFi, and others, as well as movie roles and a slot on Dancing with the Stars. Since then, financial minds estimate that Ariana’s raked in a profit of somewhere around $2 million. These windfalls, along with her casting in the Broadway production Chicago, enabled her to buy a $1.6 million house in LA just one year out from Scandoval.
Don’t ask Taylor Armstrong what’s going on in the latest season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. She doesn’t watch it. Despite being an OG cast member, she’s not afraid to admit that the show is no longer her cup of tea. There’s no shade, it’s just not for her anymore.
The former diamond holder recently spoke to Us Weekly about RHOBH. She actually had a really sweet reason for not watching the show. She just doesn’t want to see her friends fight. We assume she’s using the word “friends” loosely here.
The outlet asked Taylor about Kyle Richards and all of the casting drama surrounding Season 14 of RHOBH. Taylor said it’s hard to imagine a world without Kyle on the show, but then she claimed she doesn’t watch the show anyway. She doesn’t have any skin in the game.
“I stopped watching mostly the Beverly Hills girls because I love them all so much and watching them fight,” Taylor shared.
She continued, “I know what that anxiety feels like when you’re in that situation when you’re fighting with your friends on camera and it’s just so much pressure. And I was like, ‘I can’t watch this.’ It’s upsetting me watching them yell at each other.”
In Taylor’s opinion, the Housewives and all of the bickering don’t align with her mission of women’s empowerment. She’s currently working on a project called Empowered Experts. It’s going to require a lot of hours of developing courses and hosting retreats. She didn’t feel like it was possible to indulge in the Real Housewives while also existing in that space.
She explained, “Sometimes it’s a little difficult when watching my friends fight on TV and then turning around and being empowered. It doesn’t really fit sometimes.”
TELL US – ARE YOU SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT TAYLOR DOESN’T WATCH RHOBH? DO YOU BELIEVE IT’S POSSIBLE TO FOCUS ON EMPOWERMENT WHILE ALSO WATCHING REAL HOUSEWIVES?
In case you missed it, the White House Correspondents’ Dinner just happened, and for some reason, Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright were in attendance. Clearly, whoever had the bright idea of inviting The Valley’s separated couple was being messy. However, when they arrived at the dinner, they ended up walking the red carpet separately. It’s just the latest example of the dynamic duo putting on friendly faces for the cameras while struggling to get along behind closed doors.
Together, but separate
Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images
Although Jax and Brittany walked the red carpet separately, they still sat together at the dinner. Apparently, they were both guests of Daily Mail. That explains the messiness.
Last year, the outlet invited Lisa Vanderpump and Ariana Madix, as well as Lala Kent, so they’re just making their way down the cast list at this point.
On Instagram, the estranged couple shared pictures of the night and were all smiles. They’re used to being around each other throughout their split, so. it didn’t seem awkward. They’ve remained so close throughout this mess that some even suspected they were faking the breakup for the sake of their new show. Both of them have adamantly denied that and have assured fans that the split is real.
Of course, Jax and Brittany are used to being around each other. They still host their podcast together, after all. So, how can Jax and Brittany stay so friendly with each other amid their breakup? In a recent interview, Brittany attributed it to their son, Cruz. They do it all for him, and a little space from each other has made things easier for everyone.
“I think it’s honestly been better because we aren’t fighting in front of [Cruz],” Brittany explained. “That’s what is most important right now … That’s why I had to get him out of that situation in the first place.”
You can watch Brittany and Jax on The Valley. It airs Tuesday nights at 9/8c on Bravo.
TELL US – WERE YOU SURPRISED TO SEE JAX AND BRITTANY AT THE WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS’ DINNER? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THEM WALKING THE RED CARPET SEPARATELY?
Welcome back! Let’s dive right into the Deal or No Deal Island Episode 10 recap. Last time, Stephanie and Rob argued before Nick played against the Banker. Nick made a bad deal and was eliminated. This week’s episode, “Are You Powerful?” shows Aron playing his own game and making moves. Here’s everything you need to know about Deal or No Deal Island Episode 10!
The Night Owls have advice for Aron
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Back at camp, Rob told Amy that he never put her name, or Nick’s name, out there. Amy felt upset with Stephanie because Nick was family. So, who was riding for who in the Night Owls?
Amy and Jordan confronted Stephanie about whether Rob was targeting Nick. She doubled down with her lie and lied again. This time she told Aron that Rob came to her and said that both Aron and Nick should be eliminated. And then Stephanie would replace Aron. What insanity is this? Rob can’t stand Stephanie. Plus Jordan felt like Stephanie and Amy were being “aggressive” with a visibly upset Aron.
Jordan spots a liar
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Jordan, even though she joined the Night Owls, believed that Stephanie was lying. She told Rob her suspicions. After their chat, Rob called Stephanie “a sociopath.” The Survivor legend’s degree in psychology was paying off big time in this game.
The person that Rob thought would be with him at the end was Aron. Unfortunately, Aron believed that Rob put his name out there. Now Aron thinks he needs to forge his own path. So, Amy swooped in and asked him to be in a final two alliance. Aron felt like he had a better chance of beating Amy than Rob. This is making my head spin.
Whose fortunes will plummet?
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
During this excursion, the Banker wanted to test how the players use their power. Guests must race their jet ski across the bay to a clearing. Once there, they must make a decision that will cement their alliances or destroy them.
And while all of this is happening, a timer will be counting down. But it’s not time. It is money. There is $10 million on the timer, but for every minute that elapses, more money will be subtracted. The remaining amount will be a bonus case on the board at The Temple.
And retrieving the highest value case doesn’t mean immunity. Rob immediately knew that he needed to face the Banker. Since Stephanie was in the bottom two last time, the Banker has given her the honor of determining the order in the game.
A bromance gets heated
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Rob went first. In the clearing, there was a sign with the rules. A higher case value equals less power. Each contestant must select a case and vote for another player to face the Banker.
The highest value case is $6 million with a personal offer of $75,000. Wow! But that case comes with the least number of marbles to vote with. Rob was taking his sweet time, which made Aron angry. He felt like Rob didn’t care about the group.
Rob grabbed the $3 million case and put all the marbles in for Aron. He believed that Aron would take the case with the next lowest value and vote for him.
Next up was Amy. She took the $6 million case with the personal offer, and she used her single marble to vote for Stephanie. Back at the starting point, Amy made a fake agreement with Rob that they wouldn’t go after each other. But she was lying.
Then Aron took the $4 million case to show Rob that he was playing his own game. He put the five marbles in Rob’s canister. When Rob chastised Aron for not getting the $3.5 million case, Aron said that he was trying for the middle ground. Rob realized that Aron was in it to win it for himself. “After everything we’ve been through,” he said. “Rotten.”
Aron knew that he might have lost a friend when he saw how angry Rob was. Then Stephanie took the $3.5 million case and used all her marbles to vote for Amy. Finally, Jordan took the $5.5 million case. She voted for Rob because he wanted to play the Banker. There was $1 million left on the clock timer for the bonus case.
Amy wields some power
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Joe tallied the votes. Jordan had no votes, and Stephanie had one vote. Amy seemed surprised that she had six votes. Meanwhile, Aron had seven votes and Rob had seven votes.
Since it was a tie, the guest with the highest value case had to decide who would play the Banker. Amy was flustered and wanted more time to decide. Finally, she selected Aron. She hoped that if he won, he would send Rob home.
Joe asked Aron what he thought of Amy’s decision. “I burned a bridge today with Rob, so I think that if Rob had gone up, he might have gotten me anyway,” Aron said. Rob was confused by Aron’s remark. So, Stephanie explained to Jordan that Aron was afraid of Rob and that people made Aron feel like he wasn’t playing his own game.
Buckle up, dear friends, because Rob came in hot. He alleged that Stephanie told Aron to play his own game, but by doing so, she had control over him. Stephanie fired back that the other guests saw how Aron was “manipulated and controlled” by Rob. Eventually, Aron spoke up. “I play my own game, and I play my game well,” he said.
Friends until the end?
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Rob and Aron had a private conversation. Rob advised Aron to just find out the best way for them both to reach the end. Meanwhile, Aron felt that Amy and Stephanie were right about his blind loyalty to Rob. “Sometimes you have to eliminate a friend to win it all,” Aron said.
Then Rob asked Aron to win and send Stephanie home. When he asked for a promise, Aron replied, “Maybe. I’ll think about it.” Ouch! Rob begged Aron not to listen to Stephanie and turn against him.
Meanwhile, Aron was struggling. He doesn’t want to backstab Rob. In his confessional, Aron said, “If I do end up eliminating Rob right now, I hope that he can forgive me because I really do feel truly sorry.” Rob wanted to trust Aron, but he could tell that “something fishy” was afoot.
Who will face the Banker in The Temple?
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Aron Barbell faces off against The Banker in Deal or No Deal Island Episode 10.
This is the final chance in The Temple for players to add some cash to the final case. And this was Aron’s second time facing the Banker. Will the second time be the charm? He selected case number 10 as his case, which was his girlfriend’s birthday. Aron had to open six cases in the first round. He lost $3 million, $4 million, and $6 million off the board. The Banker’s opening offer to Aron was a paltry $589,000.
Aron declined the Banker’s offer. In the next round, Aron had to open three cases. Afterward, there was $750, $1 million, and $3.5 million left on the board. The Banker offered $1,199,000, and Aron accepted the deal. The final case value soared to $10,107,000.
Who was eliminated in Deal or No Deal Island, Episode 10?
Photo by: Monty Brinton/NBC
Aron Barbell was the ninth player eliminated in Deal or No Deal Island.
When Aron opened his case, it contained $3.5 million. He made a bad deal and was eliminated.
Joe asked Rob how he was feeling. “I hate it. I’m going to miss you, and you’re a good guy,” Rob said. He continued, “I’m proud to know you. I’m proud to call you a friend.” Even Joe didn’t want to send Aron out of The Temple.
In his final confessional, Aron said, “I’m not the Banker’s ultimate opponent. Clearly, you know, the Banker defeated me today. I’m going to take away so much from this.” He added, “It’s so obvious to see the changes in me from day one.” Aron stated that he was “proud of who I am and I feel more confident and I think I truly have become a really much better person.”
Rob and Aron embraced for a long time before Aron left. Everyone was emotional and sad to see Aron leave. The remaining four players will face off in the Banker’s final challenge, which will determine who plays for the final case.
TELL US – DID YOU ENJOY EPISODE 10 OF DEAL OR NO DEAL ISLAND? ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT ARON WAS CONSIDERING TURNING ON ROB? WHO DO YOU THINK WILL COMPETE IN THE FINALE?
Abby Lee Miller did a number on the cast of Dance Moms, including the likes of JoJo Siwa. Nevertheless, JoJo seemed to turn out just great. She’s a huge success, and one of the biggest names to come from the series.
JoJo has recently tried entering a new era – her bad girl phase. Of course, the internet’s sort of been clowning on the nature of this transition. Moreover, JoJo seems like a wholesome person, so, most people aren’t buying it. Didn’t a lot of folk have the same to say about the likes of Miley Cyrus?
Still, despite being the subject of recent video essays, at least JoJo is doing okay for herself. One might argue that she’s doing so well in spite of Dance Moms, not because of it. However, JoJo doesn’t see it that way. She seems to be all too grateful for the show and her connections.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, JoJo spoke about her current relationship with Abby. “Abby, honestly, my relationship is great,” she said. “I talk to her on a weekly basis. Great human in my life.” For all their ups and downs, it’s kind of reassuring to see they have a decent relationship now.
But even though JoJo keeps up with some of her old Dance Moms costars, others aren’t so close anymore. For example, Maddie and Mackenzie Ziegler. JoJo said she doesn’t “really have” a relationship with them “anymore.” As she put it, “Not a bad thing, not a great thing, we just don’t really communicate.”
She added, “Sure, if we saw each other we would be great friends, but we just don’t see each other.” JoJo further assured fans that there was no bad blood between her and any other Dance Moms alum. She mentioned Nia Sioux in particular. “We’ve always been very friendly with each other. We saw each other at the Super Bowl. Yeah, no bad blood anywhere.”
The reality TV star talked a bit about it on her Orange County podcast with songwriter and producer Shane McNally and reiterated that she hasn’t taken a drink. However, she does sometimes indulge in a “natural” way to de-stress when the situation calls for it.
“Still sober? Yes, I am. I am California sober,” she shared. “Which means that I do not drink alcohol, but I do enjoy a little bit of the…”
“Cannabis,” Shane finished for her.
“Yes, cannabis,” she confirmed. Gina also added that she doesn’t have it every day. “But I like that I have that when I do something to have fun and relax or whatever,” she explained. “But it’s not a social thing like I never do that when I’m out. It’s like when I don’t have kids, and it’s late at night, and I just want to laugh at a movie and go to bed.”
She further added that she hasn’t had a drink in over two years and is going strong, and Shane added that he was already going on three years of sobriety.
“Good for you, Shane,” Gina said. “Good for us.”
Shane added that their ongoing sobriety and stories prove that it can be done, and you just have to commit to getting out of a lifestyle situation that is no longer beneficial to you.
Gina chose to stop drinking two years ago because, according to her, she felt like she was becoming reliant on alcohol and drinking way more than she used to, especially during the pandemic.
So she made a choice to quit cold turkey, which may not have been the easiest path but turned out to be the most suitable for her. She distracted herself by keeping busy and engaging in other happy distractions; before she knew it, time had passed.
Now, she continues to stay away from alcohol, though sometimes a little weed helps take the edge off when things get crazy.
