Former Real Housewives of New York star Bethenny Frankel is under fire from fans for “exploiting” Vanderpump Rules’ “Scandoval” drama to profit herself financially – while currently leading the charge against Bravo’s mistreatment of reality stars.
The Bravo alum, 52, surprised fans on Wednesday after uploading a surprise episode of hers Just B with Bethenny Frankel podcast in which Raquel Leviss opened up about the intense backlash over her months-long fling with her BFF Ariana Madix, 38, boyfriend Tom Sandoval, 40.
During the lengthy discussion, Leviss, 28, described how awful it felt to know that her “mistakes” had been incredibly lucrative for Bravo — when she’d received a “single penny.”
Frankel was quick to denounce the TV network for using the reality star’s story for profit, but viewers quickly turned against the star for seemingly doing the same time.
To contradict oneself? Bethenny Frankel has come under fire from fans for ‘exploiting’ Vanderpump Rules ‘Scandoval’ drama to profit herself financially
“Wait so it’s not okay for bravo to make money off of this, but it’s okay for you?” a confused fan commented on Instagram.
Another added: “Bethenny making money off of Rachel retelling her story under the guise of how inhumane it is for BRAVO to make money on Rachel’s story is…HYPOCRISY AT ITS BEST!”
A third stated, “Sorry Bethenny… It seems very opportunistic of you to do this and I can’t help but think you’re using Rachel the same way you criticize Bravo for its actions.” I also remember you speaking very unkindly of her as the whole Scandoval story unfolded. It just doesn’t suit me.’
Indeed, some listeners began asking if SkinnyGirl founder Leviss would pay for her performance, as one wrote, “So like… I’m assuming you’re paying Rachel for doing this episode and the leftovers in the future?” Or are you also exploiting her for $?’
Another commented, “Are you paying Rachel for this content she creates for you? Or is it more exploitation without compensation? Does she get residues every time this episode is listened to forever?”
“Do you pay her a fair amount to make sure you hear the mean comments?” one fan asked. “This seems to be using her all over again for profit… to cash in on this car accident – as bad as what you claim you’re trying to stop?”
One fan suggested Frankel directed too much anger at Bravo when they tweeted, “Bethenny needs to relax a bit. Anything to beat Bravo, apparently. Talk about biting the hand that fed (made) you.”
Another concurred, stating, “@Bethenny is nothing more than a starving ex-reality star…she’s no better than anyone who’s been on Bravo, but she likes to think she is.” She only gets press when she talks about Bravo.”
‘Scandoval’: Raquel Leviss was the target of fierce backlash after her months-long affair with Ariana Madix’s 38-year-old boyfriend, Tom Sandoval, 40, came to light; trio seen in November 2022
Agenda? The podcast interview surprised many listeners as Frankel is currently leading the charge against Bravo’s assault on reality stars
Bethenny previously starred in the Real Housewives franchise from 2008 to 2010, later returning in 2015 until her departure in 2019.
She also starred in a Bravo spin-off titled Bethenny Getting Married? which was later changed to Bethenny Ever After (2010-2012).
More fans began expressing their outrage at the interview, as one wrote, “Bethenny is here to MAKE MONEY off Scandoval by interviewing a morally bankrupt person and continuing to exploit.
“She’s not trying to understand Rachel (which doesn’t justify what she did) the affair is one thing, but continuing a close friendship with someone while having an affair with their friend is something that all the therapy in the world could never fix. SO, AGAIN, Bethenny continues to exploit reality TV and make more money from it.”
Another said, “I was such a big fan of yours but now with all this bravo it was almost my breaking point stirring and marketing your podcasts while trying to take them down… this interview was the breaking point. ‘
When asked why she decided to break her silence on Frankel’s podcast, Leviss – who now goes by her birth name Rachel – explained that she felt she had found an ally in Frankel, who could see how Leviss was financially was affected by the controversy.
“I just heard what you said on TikTok and used my case as an example of exploitation and the way the network is running to the bank — like running to the bank laughing with this scandal — and I don’t have a penny,” Leviss stated.
Many asked if Frankel paid Leviss because getting a piece of the Scandoval drama benefited the former RHONY star’s podcast and bank account.
“It’s not fair,” she continued. And I feel like a toddler saying, “It’s not fair!” But it really isn’t. And I feel like I’ve been portrayed as the ultimate villain. My mistakes I made in front of the camera live on forever.”
Shortly after the scandal, Vanderpump Rules received his first Emmy nomination – one for Outstanding Picture Editing for an Unstructured Reality Program and another for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program.
The scandal has also proved lucrative for several of her castmates.
Ariana Madix, who ended her relationship with Tom Sandoval as a result of the affair, has landed numerous sponsorship opportunities, while Lala Kent revealed that her “Send it to Darrell” merchandise helped pay for her new home.
Meanwhile, Leviss has stayed out of the limelight since the show’s reunion episodes that aired in June saw her come under heavy backlash over the affair.
The podcast episode was axed just weeks after Frankel criticized Bravo and NBC for “gross and depraved” mistreatment of reality stars.
Earlier this month, Frankel and other stars accused both Bravo and NBC of “covering up sexual assault, endorsing revenge porn and exploiting minors and denying mental health care,” in a bombshell letter obtained by DailyMail.com.
Stars complained of “grotesque and depraved abuse,” with the letter claiming that both current and former stars had been “victimized mentally, physically and financially.”
It also claimed that they were “threatened with doom if they decided to speak out about their mistreatment.”
Slamming Networks: Frankel has accused both Bravo and NBC of “covering up sexual assault, endorsing revenge porn and exploiting minors and denying mental health care”
Joining forces: Frankel notably worked with SAG-AFTRA and took to her main Instagram page to reveal that the union was behind reality stars
Sources told DailyMail.com that reality star Bethenny Frankel has “led the charge” against the network weeks after she berated executives for exploiting “young, doe-eyed talent” desperate to be on TV.
In a statement, NBC said it was “committed to maintaining a safe and respectful workplace for cast and crew on our reality shows.”
The explosive letter addressed to Bravo Media, E! and CNBC, which are jointly controlled by NBCUniversal, argue that the networks’ widespread reality TV universe is the reason stars’ alleged suffering “has been hidden for far too long.”
“Judgment Day has arrived,” the letter began, accusing network executives of deliberately harming the mental health of cast members by dousing them with alcohol and depriving them of food and sleep.
When stars complained, they were reportedly denied mental health treatment despite signs that they were struggling, the letter said.
The networks are also accused of exploiting minors by not paying them despite long-term appearances on the shows.
Reality Settlement: Frankel has previously criticized the TV network for using the Leviss and other stars’ life moments for profit
Notably, Frankel works with SAG-AFTRA and took to her main Instagram page to reveal that the union was behind reality stars and is ready to take down studios and production companies along with it.
She shared the news and a statement from SAG-AFTRA – which has been on strike since July 14 – in a post, captioning it as “Use your voice. The reality reckoning has begun…”
In the letter, the union wrote: “We stand ready to join Bethenny Frankel, Bryan Freedman and Mark Geragos in the fight alongside reality artists and our members and are tired of studios and production companies trying to circumvent the union to protect the talent they rely on to make their product.”
SAG added that they encourage reality artists and members to get in touch “so that we can work together to protect the reality artists who put an end to the exploitative practices that have developed in this area and to create a new path to cover by the Union’.