The Countess has Shannon Beador’s back.
Luann de Lesseps defended Beador during an exclusive interview on Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” podcast, slamming her ex John Janssen for demanding that the “Real Housewives of Orange County” star repays him for a facelift he funded.
“How are you going to take back a facelift? But that shows you what kind of caliber this man is,” the “Real Housewives of New York City” alum says before quipping, “Money can’t buy you class. But it can buy you a facelift, thank you, buh-bye! See ya!”
After calling it quits with Beador, 60, in 2023, Janssen, 61, began dating her franchise foe Alexis Bellino that fall.
Further complicating matters for Beador, Bellino, 47, rejoined “RHOC” this season as a “friend of” the cast, prompting much of the drama to revolve around how the new relationship is impacting the Real for Real founder.
“It’s horrible. That’s got to hurt. And I mean, this guy, what kind of guy does a thing like that on the same TV show? I would hate it. I would really have a tough time with it,” says de Lesseps.
“[Beador has] kind of been scorned by this guy. I’m not even going to blame the woman … but I’m not going to bring my boyfriend around her.”
Additionally, the series has seen Beador navigating the turmoil of a contentious legal battle with Janssen over payments for her plastic surgery.
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According to court papers obtained by People in March, the businessman filed a lawsuit in the Orange County Superior Court claiming the Bravolebrity breached their oral contract and is committing promissory fraud by purposely not paying him back.
He reportedly lent her $40,000 via wire transfer on Jan. 23, 2022, for the facelift and another $35,000 via personal check on May 20, 2023.
Beador, for her part, has maintained that the money was a gift.
As portions of the discord played out on “RHOC,” Bellino and Janssen announced their engagement on Aug. 27.
With the help of de Lesseps, Beador is back on the hunt for her perfect partner.
The women are currently taping a dating reality show for Peacock — tentatively titled “Love Hotel” — with fellow single “Real Housewives” personalities Gizelle Bryant and Ashley Darby.
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“I don’t know Ashley or Gizelle that well. Of course, I’ve seen them at BravoCon and things like that. Shannon, I’ve done a little bit more work with,” she says of her dynamic with the group.
“I can’t remember exactly where but we were changing together somewhere in some hotel room. So we know each other. We saw each other’s derrieres!”
De Lesseps, who asked production to corral handsome “European and Latin” suitors for her, says that she is “super excited” about the prospect of meeting Mr. Right.
Once filming wraps in a few weeks, the entertainer is looking forward to continuing her “Marry F Kill!” cabaret tour. The next show is scheduled for Oct. 10 in Charleston, SC.
“The show is so much fun,” she says, raving over the spectacle helmed by famed musical director Brian Nash and esteemed director Richard Jay-Alexander.
“It’s the perfect time to connect with fans, spill a little tea, have the crowd get to know me a bit more.”
