Lala Kent has spoken out over a Vanderpump Rules theory (Picture: Getty)
Lala Kent has weighed in on suggestions that Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss’ affair was faked for Vanderpump Rules ratings.
The Bravo show imploded in March after it emerged that Tom had cheated on long-term girlfriend Ariana Madix with their co-star, bringing their nine-year relationship crashing down.
Since the drama, dubbed Scandoval, first broke, eagle-eyed viewers have been picking through the new instalments with a magnifying glass, attempting to spot any Easter eggs or hints during filming ahead of next week’s explosive finale.
Many have also questioned whether their affair was staged in a bid to bump up ratings, which are currently sky-high – while even Jennifer Lopez had her say on the scenes.
Lala, who joined the cast in season four, hit back at the speculation in the latest episode of her podcast, Give Them Lala, insisting that there is no truth to the claims – but explained that some footage had been filmed after the affair had come to light.
‘When people say that this is staged, it’s not staged. This is not a staged thing’,’ the 32-year-old fumed. ‘Ariana didn’t sit with a producer and go, “Yeah, I’m okay with my life blowing up for ratings.” None of it is staged.
Tom Sandoval cheated on girlfriend Ariana Madix (Picture: Getty)
He was found to be cheating with co-star Raquel Leviss (Picture: Getty)
‘You also can’t just drop – at the very end – this bomb, like, “Oh, and by the way, Tom and Raquel were f**king.” You have to fit it into the story somehow.
‘There were Easter eggs the whole time that may have been insignificant at the time, that are actually very pertinent to this case.’
‘We’re starting to have interviews that were done after Scandoval,’ she added. ‘We’re starting to have scenes that may not have made it, that were absolutely filmed pre-Scandoval, that were maybe insignificant at the time, that became very significant.
‘It’s gut-wrenching, and I think anyone who says this was all staged for a storyline, in this episode, you’re going to see that this is very much real life.’
Lala defended Ariana over the allegations (Picture: Getty)
The season 10 finale trailer was released last week, showing the fallout from Tom’s affair with Raquel, which left Ariana shattered.
‘I was going to break up with Ariana regardless,’ the businessman argued to Scheana Shay, who hit back: ‘But you didn’t. You f**ked her best friend instead.’
In another scene, he tried to defend their bond to his now-ex, explaining: ‘Me and Raquel became really good friends.’
Having none of it, she screamed: ‘I don’t give a f**k about f**king Raquel. Your friendship is f**king bulls**t.
‘I regret ever loving you.’
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There’s no denying that viewers have been hooked by the Scandoval, with J Lo among those weighing into the drama.
During an appearance on The View last week, she was asked if she had been keeping up with it, when Joy Behar questioned how she would react if she found herself in a similar situation to the bartender.
‘I think I’d just walk out,’ the Mother actress replied. ‘Just walk out. You know everything you need to know.
‘What else do you need to know! That’s all the info that you need.’
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‘It’s gut-wrenching.’