Bethenny Frankel Supports Raquel Leviss' Negotiations For Better Pay On 'VPR' After Being A 'Punching Bag'

Bethenny Frankel, former "Real Housewives of New York City" star, offered advice to "Vanderpump Rules" cast member Raquel Leviss on negotiating her Season 11 contract.

Frankel supported Leviss amid media scrutiny over her past affair, noting that mistakes happen in the intense reality TV environment. She urged Leviss to negotiate fairly, acknowledging the toll of mental abuse from public backlash. 

Meanwhile, Leviss skipped a cast trip to Lake Tahoe and was seen spending time with family in Arizona, emphasizing the need to prioritize mental health.

Keep on reading to learn more.

"Real Housewives of New York City" alum Bethenny Frankel recently offered some advice to Raquel Leviss regarding her contract negotiations for Season 11 of The "Vanderpump Rules."

In a candid interview with Entertainment Tonight, the 52-year-old Skinnygirl mogul encouraged Leviss to stand firm and negotiate for the compensation she deserves after the Scandoval affair.

She acknowledged that Leviss' past mistake of having an affair was not uncommon, stating, "She had an affair. She's not the first person in the world that's had an affair and, you know, bullying or beating someone down for a tragic error that, yes, everybody has, like, Lord of the Flies grabbed and ripped the meat off the carcass. Great. OK."

She added, "You were wrong, you slept with someone's boyfriend. It happens. You work in a bar on a reality television show, the most toxic environment in history."

According to Frankel, the media had sensationalized Leviss' situation, blowing it out of proportion, "and were marketing it like it was the friggin' election."

Further reflecting on the situation, Frankel pointed out how Leviss "was a punching bag for everybody on every talk show in the entertainment industry."

While drawing a parallel, the Bravo star likened it to stepping into a ring with the formidable boxer Mike Tyson, saying, "You're gonna put me in a ring with [Mike] Tyson, I'm gonna get paid. So, yeah, she should not be shooting."

She added, "She should be negotiating a contract that says 'I got dragged through the streets and I was abused mentally.'" She went on, explaining, "That is a good example of what reality television is about, that's a perfect example."

During the interview, Frankel also voiced her deep concerns regarding Leviss potentially returning to the reality television environment that had previously taken a toll on her mental well-being, leading her to seek professional help.

When asked whether someone struggling with their mental health should be a part of a reality TV show, Frankel firmly expressed her disapproval, saying, "Absolutely not." However, she likened the allure of reality television to a powerful drug, explaining, "The drug is too strong. The drug of the game. The drug of relevance. The drug of the money."

She continued, "The drug of always chasing the dragon and wanting to go back the next season and get that hit and show that you're really not the terrible person that they all think."

She concluded, "That's a producer's talent, when you've been beaten down and everyone hates you, you gotta go back next season, You can't end on this note."

Frankel also praised the former pageant queen, who made headlines for missing the cast's recent trip to Lake Tahoe. Despite rumors that she might reconsider if the offer was right, Leviss chose not to join her co-stars for the getaway.

Instead, she surfaced in Tucson, Arizona, where she spent time with her family. Photos obtained by Page Six showed the reality star donning a baseball cap with the uplifting message, "Be a good person." Opting for a casual look, she paired the cap with an oversized white tee, a stylish striped blouse, black shorts, and comfy Nike sneakers.

Meanwhile, on the highly anticipated cast trip for Season 11 of the popular Bravo series, several members of the cast were spotted, including Tom Sandoval, Tom Schwartz, Scheana Shay, Lala Kent, James Kennedy, Ally Lewber, and Brock Davies.

Videos from the mini-reunion were shared on Shay's Instagram stories which led to her and Schwartz getting called out by "VPR" fans for being "fake" and acting friendly with Sandoval.