Jeff Lewis, a longtime friend of Shannon Beador, was concerned about the Real Housewives of Orange County cast member before she headed to Mexico to film the upcoming Peacock series Love Hotel.
On a recent episode of the Flipping Out alum’s radio show, Jeff, 54, addressed the recent claims the series’ reported host, Joel Kim Booster, 36, made against Shannon, 60, as he confirmed that she wasn’t in a “great place” before filming began, likely due to ex-boyfriend John Janssen‘s recent engagement to Alexis Bellino, 47, and his $75,000 lawsuit against her.
“I spoke to her either the night, either the night or two nights before she was leaving for Mexico and I didn’t think she was in a great place and I was concerned,” Jeff admitted on SiriusXM Radio’s Jeff Lewis Extended, via X.
In a since-deleted post shared to his Instagram Story earlier this week, Joel labeled Shannon a “pathetic drunk” as he detailed her alleged on-set behavior.
“Just because you’re a pathetic drunk on a reality television show best known for a string of failed relationships and a DUI does not give you license to treat the people you work with like they are subhuman. Period,” he wrote. “They will make me delete this but DM me if you’d like to see some videos. Besos!”
Joel also added, of Shannon’s ex-boyfriend, “I can’t imagine what John Janssen went through. Poor guy.”
While Jeff didn’t have any firsthand knowledge about what went down between Shannon and the Love Hotel crew, he felt that Shannon may have acted out against them due to stress.
“I think it’s possible that — and I can only speak for myself — sometimes if I’m dealing with a lot of stress or I’m maybe emotionally not totally, 100 percent stable, you may act out. You may take out your stress, aggression, anxiety, on other people,” he reasoned. “I think it’s possible that this could’ve happened. I do. I just felt like she was not in a great state when I spoke to her.”
“She’s going through a rough time. She could be not responding well,” he explained.
After the clip was shared on X, a number of social media users weighed in, many of whom mentioned that Jeff is often one to defend Shannon and make excuses for her behavior — no matter how bad it may be.
“This is bad if Shannon’s ride or die is saying this,” one person wrote.
“Bingo!!!! Jeff Lewis makes excuses for her constantly, so for him to say this…….” another agreed.
“The fact that JEFF LEWIS. The ultimate Shannon Apologist isn’t saying a hard no… Is telling,” added a third.
