Scheana Shay disagreed with Lala Kent‘s recent comments about how Ariana Madix didn’t deliver enough on past seasons of Vanderpump Rules.
During the Friday, June 14, episode of her “Scheananigans” podcast, Scheana, 39, answered a listener question about Lala’s claim that Ariana, 38, wasn’t a fan-favorite.
“I don’t think I’ve ever said that. If Lala did, she has her own thoughts and opinions separate from mine. I think each one of us is a favorite to different people in different ways,” she explained. “I’m sure there are people who Katie [Maloney] is their favorite, I’m their favorite, Lala’s their favorite, Ariana’s their favorite. I don’t know about the Toms [Schwartz and Sandoval] anymore, but I do think everyone has their favorites, and I’m sure Ariana has been many people’s favorites.”
Scheana changed the topic to a specific dig that Lala, 33, has made about Ariana.
“I know Lala made a comment about Ariana just floating for a few seasons or not giving much,” she noted. “But I also know that Ariana was battling with depression for several years, and I think that she was giving her 100 percent.”
While reflecting on their time on Vanderpump Rules, Scheana praised Ariana for being authentic.
“She was doing the best she could — and whether people found that entertaining or not — that was just her living her truth and putting her mental health journey out there,” Scheana continued. “I think those type of things are what people can really relate to and know that they’re not alone. So many people in this world with so many eyes on us are battling those same things, and I applaud anyone who can put that out there because it’s very important to just let people know they’re not alone.”
Lala has received backlash recently for the way she spoke about Ariana in the aftermath of Sandoval’s cheating scandal. The cast returned to film season 11 of Vanderpump Rules months after Ariana and Sandoval, 41, called it quits due to his infidelity. It didn’t take long for most of the cast to shift their loyalty from Ariana to Sandoval for the sake of their show.
Scheana surprised viewers when she claimed production played a role in the decision.