Lisa Vanderpump shuts down claim she ‘paid’ Raquel Leviss to have affair

Reality TV

Lisa Vanderpump is shutting down Teddi Mellencamp’s claim that she “paid” “Vanderpump Rules” star Raquel Leviss to have an affair with her co-star Tom Sandoval.

“No I didn’t pay cast members to sleep together for ratings,” the “Vanderpump Rules” matriarch tweeted Wednesday, adding that they “do that on their own.”

She went on to refer to the theory as “fake news” and told her followers to “have a beautiful day.”

Mellencamp had made the accusation in an episode of Melissa Gorga’s “On Display” podcast that was recorded before Vanderpump’s March 8 appearance on “Watch What Happens Live” to discuss what’s been dubbed “Scandoval.”

“She probably paid Raquel to do this,” Mellencamp, 41, suggested of the SUR server’s recently revealed dalliance with the Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras frontman.

Lisa Vanderpump looking upset
Lisa Vanderpump slammed Teddi Mellencamp’s claim that she “paid” Raquel Leviss to have an affair with Tom Sandoval.
Instagram
“No I didn’t pay cast members to sleep together for ratings,” the “Vanderpump Rules” matriarch tweeted. “They do that on their own.”
NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Mellencamp — whose relationship with Vanderpump, 62, soured while they were on “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” together — went on to claim that the only reason Andy Cohen invited her to be a guest on his late-night talk show after such a lengthy hiatus was because “nobody’s cared until now.”

The self-proclaimed accountability coach also predicted that Vanderpump would stick up for Sandoval — who was in an almost 10-year relationship with co-star Ariana Madix while he was secretly romancing Leviss — because she feels the restauranteur “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,’” Mellencamp told host Gorga, 43, and fellow guest Tamra Judge while impersonating the UK native.

Teddi Mellencamp striking a pose in a blue dress
“[Vanderpump] probably paid Raquel to do this,” Mellencamp had suggested.
Instagram/ Teddi Mellencamp

“Real Housewives of Orange County” star Judge, 55, insisted that Vanderpump only “wants the best for her cast,” but her “Two T’s in a Pod” co-host disagreed, firing back, “I think she wants the best for herself, as I would as well. You guys wouldn’t? You’d want your shows to tank?”


Follow Page Six’s coverage of ‘Scandoval’:


Judge pointed out that “Pump Rules” is “skyrocketing right now,” which Mellencamp claimed “is exactly what [Vanderpump] wants.”

The daughter of legendary musician John Mellencamp went on to “guarantee” that Leviss, 28, will be “engaged and pregnant within a year.”

Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss at Coachella 2022
Sandoval and Leviss’ months-long dalliance was recently revealed.
Instagram/ Raquel Leviss

While on “WWHL,” Vanderpump argued that “it’s not like [Sandoval or Leviss] murdered anyone,” pointing out that there’s “so much infidelity in the world.”

She also implored outraged fans to tone down their “vigilante justice.”

“These are people that are living their life in a public forum, which is very difficult,” she noted of those involved in the scandal.

However, that doesn’t mean the former “Housewife” thinks Sandoval, 40, or Leviss should be let “off the hook” so quickly.

Condemn their actions, but don’t condemn the people, OK?” she encouraged. “All this aggression … it can have serious ramifications. I really mean that. I think everybody should be careful with that.”

Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval in a selfie
Sandoval’s then-girlfriend, Ariana Madix, immediately dumped him.
Instagam/@arianamadix

Madix, 37, broke up with Sandoval on March 1 after finding a sexually explicit video of Leviss on his phone, which led to the discovery that the two had been “communicating inappropriately for months.”

The news rocked the Bravoverse and beyond, as cameras quickly picked back up to capture the fallout for inclusion in the currently airing 10th season.

While Madix has yet to make a public statement on the matter, both Sandoval and Leviss have issued apologies that have gone unacknowledged.

Tom Sandoval, Ariana Madix and Raquel Leviss posing for a picture together
Sandoval had been with Madix for almost 10 years, and Madix considered Leviss a close friend.
FS//AdMedia/Sipa USA

Instead, the Something About Her co-owner made her feelings known by reactivating her Instagram account and seemingly blocking the secret lovers.

She then jetted off to Mexico for a wedding, where we’re told she “had an amazing time dancing and socializing” — and spoke nothing of her ex.

“Vanderpump Rules” airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.

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