The Downfall of Ariana Madix and Lala Kent’s Friendship

Lala Kent Ariana Madix
Photo by Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for CAA

Even though Lala Kent has called for me by name (which wasn’t very nice), claiming I’m a “bored” writer, I still am a fan of hers. Kind of like how she’s a fan of Ariana Madix. It seems good buddies Ari and Lala are having beef. The former SUR bartender first joined Vanderpump Rules for Season 2, with Lala coming aboard as the hostess for Season 4. The best thing about these two is they don’t fight over men, unlike some of their co-stars. So what could have been so bad to break these two peas in a pod up? Let’s take a look. 

Word from the curb

The rumors might be accurate that Lala and Ariana’s friendship ended when they fought during the Season 11 reunion. When asked about the issue, Lala laughed, covered her face, and said, “I think the exact tweet read, ‘Ariana eviscerated Lala at the reunion, and it was friendship ruining,’ and only one of those things is true. I’ll let y’all decide.” We’re not exactly giving too much away here, Lala, are we? So, while Lala confirmed that something went down, we aren’t sure what.

This revelation technically means it can be a really bad fight; my guess about how Ariana was transcended into a god after Scandoval is nothing. But Season 11 hasn’t shown Lala as the most supportive friend in the eyes of viewers. During each serious chat, Lala inserted her trials and tribulations into Ariana’s experiences, which rubbed other Pump Rules cast the wrong way. Lala didn’t look too shaken up by the altercation, and I’m sure she also had a bark that had a sharp bite for Ariana. 

Questionable motives

In 2021, the two had a bump in the road when Ariana was less than thrilled after a press tour and some comments made by Lala to garner ratings. The rift got so bad the mother of one even unfriended Ari on social media. You know a reality star means business when you get zapped. During Season 9, Scheana Shay played a clip of Lala’s book tour, in which she stated, “With Ariana, it is what it is. It’s like, let’s not pretend. You don’t give a f*ck about me. I don’t give a f*ck about you. I don’t care about you, whatever. You know?” Naturally, Ariana was shocked because she had gone to bat for Lala in the past. Hell, the two ladies even had a steamy hook-up in the back of Tom Sandoval’s car. 

Season 11 is showing a side of Lala that is disturbing to many, quite frankly. While she is trying to come across as calmer, it also looks like she might have been a bit jealous of all the extra attention Ariana was given post-scandal. But I do think another motive for an argument could have been if Lala was trying to defend Scheana, who felt slighted this season. Fans are watching Scheana try to figure out how to be friends with Ariana and Tom, but that equation is not working out. Lala has been a shoulder for Scheana and surprisingly seemed to also give good advice. Could it be that Ariana just got fed up with people starting to choose Tom’s side? 

Better Times

Lala and Ariana always had a special kind of relationship, especially since both were alpha females who made sure their opinions were heard. Throughout the series, Ariana defends Lala, especially in the beginning when the other girls were mean. In 2016, Ariana stood up for Lala when the girls were talking about her sleeping with a married man. In 2017, Ariana also opened up to her friend about being in a “mentally and emotionally abusive relationship.” So, the two were once close. 

Season 11 has shown me that the Vanderpump Rules cast prioritizes the job over friendships. Take Lala and Ariana’s conversation in the most recent episode; it was all subtext. Fans heard Lala explain how Scheana was anxious about being unable to talk to Tom, but what she was saying between the lines was, “Your refusal to engage with one of the cast members might get us all fired.” So maybe Lala just had enough of skirting around the issue. 

TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FIGHT WAS ABOUT AND DO YOU THINK THEIR FRIENDSHIP IS OVER?

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