Ariana Madix Calls Out Bethenny Frankel's 'Hurtful' Interview With Raquel Leviss

Ariana Madix has called out Bethenny Frankel for her interview with Raquel Leviss on the "Just B" podcast, asserting Frankel should have known better. Madix finds Frankel's comments about her relationship with Sandoval hurtful. LaLa Kent also accused Frankel of exploiting Leviss. 

Leviss, speaking on the podcast, reflected on her actions, acknowledging the hurt she caused due to not thinking long-term, and revealed using alcohol to cope during filming. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share her growth and strive to be a better person. 

Keep on reading to learn more.

Madix criticized Frankel, accusing her of not knowing "what the f**k" she was talking about while speaking to her "VPR" co-star Leviss on last week's episode of her "Just B" podcast.

Madix called out the former "Real Housewives of New York City" star for interviewing Leviss, saying she should have "known better." 

"Bethenny actually upset me more in the things that were said," she shared with Shay during the latest episode of the "Scheananigans With Scheana Shay" podcast.

While expressing her dissatisfaction, the reality star described Frankel's statements about her relationship with Sandoval and her comment about their lack of marriage or children as hurtful and insensitive.

"In many states, [he was my common-law spouse]," Madix explained. "I find that hurtful in regards to other women in relationships who don't have children. Maybe they can't have children or don't want children or don't want to get married."

She added, "None of those people's relationships are less meaningful because of that...she should know better than to say that about anybody."

Madix's comments come after her "Vanderpump Rules" co-star LaLa Kent accused Frankel of "exploiting" Leviss on her podcast. Kent voiced her concerns on her "Give Them Lala" podcast, where she also refuted Leviss' claim about being called "reality TV ratings gold" by herself, Katie Maloney, and Kristina Kelly.

On the same podcast episode, the actress praised Leviss for using the platform to share her story but accused Frankel of exploitation. "Happy that she finally got to take advantage of a giant platform to tell her story," Kent noted. "I only saw clips, and what I gathered from it is that Bethenny completely exploited that girl yet again."

Kent went on to criticize Leviss for her involvement with Tom Sandoval while he was with Madix, as she described reality TV as an "intense environment" that can break those not mentally strong.

In the "Just B" podcast episode, Leviss, who had maintained a low profile since the "Vanderpump Rules" June reunion episodes, revealed her reasons for stepping away from the public eye.

The reality star described the past period as chaotic and explained her introspective process. Speaking to Frankel, she stated, "I've taken some time to myself to reflect and try to understand my actions. And I finally have come to the place where it makes sense to me."

Acknowledging the repercussions of her actions, Leviss recognized the hurt caused to others, "I do want to take a moment though to just acknowledge the hurt that I brought to a lot of people. I was not careful in my actions, and I was not thinking long-term. I was completely wrapped up in heartbreak and wanting to get certain needs met."

She delved into her emotional state at the time, saying, "Looking back now, I can see that I was still healing from a relationship with someone I thought I was going to marry. And in ending that, I still haven't healed yet."

Leviss also admitted to turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism, acknowledging its limitation, "When I was filming, I was drinking a lot to ease that anxiety, and in a reality TV environment, I wasn't getting that safe space for me to express my emotions healthily."

During the interview, Leviss expressed gratitude for the chance to present her perspective. 

"It feels like I have this opportunity to share how much I've grown, and how hard I'm trying to be a better person," Leviss shared with Frankel.

She continued, "That person that I saw watching back on my TV is someone who is completely out of character from who I truly am. I feel like having this opportunity to represent myself in a way that I feel is true to who I am is all I could ever ask for."