Credit: Charles Sykes/Bravo
Rachel Zoe was called out by her former assistant, Brad Goreski, after labeling past staffers as “triggering.”
Months after admitting she left the styling business because she couldn’t trust her employees, the 54-year-old Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast member was met with backlash from Brad, 48, and others over comments she made during a chat with Interview magazine.
“‘Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.’ The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills scene-stealer and OG celebrity stylist [Rachel Zoe] joins us to take our March issue Rorschach test and reflect on a lifetime of boho, bananas, and bad assistants,” the publication wrote in the caption of a March 5 post on Instagram, along with a slideshow of comments from Rachel.
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In addition to dishing on spray tans, wearing tons of jewelry despite current trends, and admitting that her past use of the term “bananas” would “haunt [her] forever,” Rachel shared her thoughts on assistants.
“Triggering. I’ve had the best in the world who are like family, but it also goes the other way. It’s the hardest job to fill, always,” she explained.
Meanwhile, in a comment, Brad said that her employment was “triggering” for him and others.
“Triggering for the assistants as well,” he replied, mentioning himself and several of Rachel’s former assistants, including Taylor Jacobson, Jill Lincoln, Jordan Johnson, and someone named Tara.
“Accurate,” Jordan replied.
Jill spoke out as well, offering a waving emoji in response to Brad’s shade.
Following their posts, a number of social media users called out Brad and the women, labeling them “classless” and telling them to “grow up.”
“None of you would be where you are without her,” one person stated.
“He should be grateful for his start with [Rachel Zoe],” someone else agreed.
“She gave you the platform you have today,” wrote a third.
Another person said Brad’s public comment was “out of line.”
“Rachel introduced you to literally everyone, all the top designers. She even included you and made sure you had a seat at fashion shows, which you yourself said no stylist ever does. She was so kind to you. I wish you all would work in corporate America and see how terrible bosses can be. Taylor was the one that was incredibly toxic and mean and unprofessional. Then you poached clients after everything Rachel did for you. I’m disappointed by your lack of gratitude and respect, especially after all these years,” they stated, reflecting on what they saw of the former assistants on The Rachel Zoe Project.
During a December 2025 interview with PEOPLE, Rachel opened up about her hardships with staffers.
“I just couldn’t trust assistants,” she said. “The definition of insanity is when you do the same thing over and over and expect a different outcome. I think after being completely betrayed, for lack of a better term, in various ways, by enough assistants and not being able to trust them with my clients and stuff to represent what I do and how I am with my clients, it just wasn’t worth it anymore.”
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills season 15 airs Thursdays at 8/7c on Bravo.