VANDERPUMP Rules star Ariana Madix has slammed producers after the shocking finale, accusing them of trying to "trap" her.
During the episode, the entire cast watched a shocking final scene together and shared their raw reactions to a hot mic moment with Ariana's ex Tom Sandoval.
Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix slammed producers over the finaleCredit: YouTube/Disrespectfully
During the episode, they aired unseen footage featuring a hot mic moment with Ariana's ex Tom SandovalCredit: Bravo
After the finale aired, Ariana, 38, appeared on her co-star Katie Maloney's podcast, Disrespectfully, which she co-hosts with Dayna Kathan.
During the episode, the trio chatted about the finale bombshell, which Katie, 37, said she "hated."
"I hated that they waited to show that five minutes because I was like, 'This feels mean.' And it's just mean for Ariana," she explained.
Ariana then weighed in, agreeing that she wasn't a fan of the way producers approached the situation.
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"It felt very pointed towards me. It felt like, 'Well we have her trapped in this room now. We didn't get what we wanted to get, this like – some sort of tearful, whatever the hell - We didn't get to break her down IRL, in the moment, so we're gonna retaliate by doing it right now in a place where she's contractually obligated to be here and try to force this moment now.'
"And it's like, great, I cried. Are you guys happy now?" she said on the podcast.
During the same episode, Ariana opened up about Scandoval – the cheating scandal that saw her ex, Tom, 40, hook up with former VPR co-star Rachel Leviss for several months behind Ariana's back.
She confessed that while she's moved on from the romantic relationship, even finding love with her new man, Daniel Wai, she's not over the "trauma" of the scandal.
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"Being over that person romantically does not mean that you're over the trauma you went through," she explained.
"And I'm still going through it because I'm still having to deal with all of it. Like, I'm still – I haven't been [to the house I shared with Tom] since September – I'm still having to deal with it."
On the Disrespectfully podcast with Katie Maloney and Dayna Kathan, Ariana claimed the decision was calculatedCredit: YouTube/Disrespectfully
LALA DRAMA
It wasn't just the producers that gave Ariana trouble during the reunion episode.
The Something About Her co-founder went head-to-head with co-star Lala Kent on the stage.
During the episode, the 33-year-old mom of two raged at Ariana over her behavior during the Season 11 finale.
Ariana walked away from a conversation with Tom during the episode.
Ariana's refusal to talk to Tom stemmed from the cheating scandal but Lala seemed to think Ariana owed her former flame a conversation.
"She now thinks she is Beyoncé. It's bulls**t that she can't film with someone because she stays under the same roof. It's a lot... I never in my life experienced someone who gets cheated on and suddenly she becomes God," Lala complained to co-star and close friend Scheana Shay, 39, during the final episode.
Vanderpump Rules Season 11 Cast
Vanderpump Rules has returned to Bravo for one of its most explosive seasons following the fallout of Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix's relationship.
Returning Cast Members
Lisa Vanderpump returns as one of the original cast mates and acts as a mentor and confidant to the group.
Ariana Madix returns hurt following her ex, Tom Sandoval, cheating on her.
James Kennedy has been expanding his DJ career and recently moved in with his girlfriend, Ally.
Katie Maloney is working hard to open her sandwich restaurant with Ariana as she navigates life post-divorce.
Lala Kent has struck up an unexpected friendship with Tom Schwartz, which has caused a rift between her and the rest of the girls.
Scheana Shay is navigating married life with Brock and a toddler as they leave the honeymoon period.
Tom Sandoval has been attempting to work on himself and start repairing his broken relationships.
Tom Schwartz embraces a new appearance change as he takes blows for helping his pal Tom in his affair with Ariana.
New Cast Members
Ally Lewber is focusing on becoming an astronomer attempting to find friendships in the group after she and James embrace suburban life.
Brock Davies has been testing out new dynamics as a family man
The Bravo reality star brought up the incident at the reunion as tears of rage welled up in her eyes and Ariana quietly sobbed.
"I was livid that night. Livid. And I'm sorry if I hurt you, but I stand by what I said. And I probably didn't say it the most eloquently, but this was days and days of me - Scheana saw me - I was sobbing on a regular basis. I love f**king filming with you guys, even when you f**k up and I want to torch you all," Lala said.
Lisa Vanderpump, 63, then chimed in, asking, "So you're saying you felt let down by everybody because the true story that you were getting wasn't the true story they were filming?"
"It was difficult, because I understood where Ariana was coming from. But I was like, 'Why does she get to dictate how this goes down when I've never gotten to dictate?" Lala replied.
Host Andy Cohen, 55, then jumped in, asking Ariana, "What is your response to this?"
"Umm...I don't think I'm Beyonce, I don't think I'm God," Ariana said through tears.
She went on, "Talking about sobbing on a regular basis, yeah I don't do it in front of Scheana. I do it on my own.
"And, arguably, if you wanna talk in 'show terms,' me walking away from that conversation was a lot more interesting than me sitting there and having it. Was that not a better ending to your season, to give you another season for another paycheck?"
On X, upset viewers called for Lala to be fired over her attack on Ariana.
"As a long time viewer, I’m tired of @lala_kent producing #PumpRules & being a LVP mouthpiece. Ariana has organically given us more in the last 2 seasons than Lala has given us in all of seasons she’s been in the cast. Ariana is not responsible for making sure Lala has a paycheck!" one person posted.
"This moment here solidified the end of [Lala] and I don’t think the rest of the cast, LVP and production can ever redeem themselves after this season.
"Minus Ariana and Katie they all sold out and bet on the wrong horse. It’s so disappointing because it didn’t have to be this way," a second social media user complained.
"...For you @BravoTV and @Andy and @LisaVanderpump and all these so-called friends she gave you your scene already when she filmed with that man last season after learning what he did. Again shame on all of you," a third angry viewer wrote.
"Lala is so disconnected from reality because she has no life without this show. The people who made Ariana the 'Beyoncé' or 'God' of the season were the rest of the cast!!!
"All Ariana did was accept her brand deals and gigs and moved on from Scandoval," wrote another.
MAKING DOUGH
While Ariana struggled on-air, outside the show she's thriving.
The star finally opened her sandwich shop, Something About Her, alongside co-star Katie.
Their opening was not without a few setbacks but it was still a major success.
Outside the show, Ariana and Katie opened their sandwich shop Something About HerCredit: Getty
The shop opened after months of delays and setbacksCredit: The U.S. Sun Digital Edition
A line formed around the block for sandwiches as eager fans flocked to the new eatery.
Although a number of fans, as well as a few familiar faces from Bravo visited the shop, few VPR stars have been seen at Something About Her.
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In fact, Ariana and Katie were snubbed by all but one of their co-stars: Tom Schwartz, 41.
Katie's ex-husband and Bravo co-star posted about the shop on social media, snapping a photo of himself during his visit for Instagram.
Ariana has been open about her dissatisfaction with production and her costarsCredit: Bravo
During the reunion, she also butted heads with co-star Lala KentCredit: Getty
It's unclear if Ariana is returning to the showCredit: Nicole Weingart/Bravo
