Credit: Startraksphoto
Lisa Vanderpump is speaking out against Teddi Mellencamp, who recently suggested she may have paid Raquel Leviss to have an affair with Tom Sandoval in an effort to boost ratings on Vanderpump Rules.
While also setting the record straight in regard to the status of her PUMP Restaurant, which was said to be available “for lease” earlier this week, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum labeled Teddi’s claim as “fake news.”
“Ok no … [Pump Restaurant] will be open as normal … [Fake news],” Lisa confirmed on Twitter on March 15. “Oh and no I didn’t pay cast members to sleep together for ratings [Pump Rules] they do that on their own … [Fake news] … Have a beautiful day everybody.”
While appearing on the March 9 episode of Melissa Gorga‘s podcast, On Display, Teddi said Lisa “probably paid Raquel [Leviss] to do this” as she referenced Sandoval and Raquel’s affair, which had been revealed days prior.
She also shaded Lisa as she claimed Andy Cohen likely invited her back to Watch What Happens Live after a lengthy hiatus only because “nobody’s cared until now,” and she noted that her former castmate would likely stand up for Sandoval during her then-upcoming appearance because she “always takes the men’s side.”
“She’s gonna say the same points that I’ve been saying, like, ‘Listen, [Sandoval and Madix] weren’t in a good place for a long time. His needs weren’t met. [Sandoval and Leviss] fell in love. They couldn’t help themselves,’” Teddi shared.
Teddi even said that when it comes to Pump Rules, Lisa “wants the best for herself.”
“I would as well. You guys wouldn’t? You’d want your shows to tank?” she asked. “[This] is exactly what [Lisa] wants.”
But in response to an article written about her comments, Teddi slammed the piece as “clickbait” as she shared the thoughts of an Instagram user on her Story.
“I love you Page Six, but this headline is very misleading. Yes Teddi did say ‘she probably paid Raquel to do this,’ but she was obviously being sarcastic,” the person had written.
And Teddi agreed, saying, “Clearly I was being sarcastic.”
During her appearance on WWHL, Lisa said that while she doesn’t think Sandoval and Raquel should be let off the hook for their months-long affair, which went on behind the back of Sandoval’s longtime girlfriend, Ariana Madix, she added that she doesn’t like seeing the “vigilante justice” of fans.
“I don’t agree with [the vigilante justice] at all. I think these are people that are living their life in a public forum, which is very difficult,” she explained. There’s so much infidelity in the world. It’s not like they murdered somebody,” she reasoned. “It’s a show but they’re all hurting. And I am not saying we should let them off the hook. Condemn their actions but don’t condemn the people.”
Vanderpump Rules season 10 airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Bravo.