Scheana Shay Breaks Silence After Rachel Leviss Ends Her Post-Scandoval Podcast
By Afouda Bamidele on October 23, 2024 at 7:15 PM EDT
It seems Scheana Shay had no hopes for Rachel Leviss' podcast from the jump; at least, that is what part of her reaction suggested.
The reality star reacted to news of the podcaster ditching her microphone less than a year after she started the podcast.
Rachel Leviss began airing her thoughts on the "Rachel Gone Rogue" podcast last year to help her heal from the trauma of her affair with Tom Sandoval, Ariana Madix's ex-boyfriend.
Scheana Shay On Rachel Leviss' Podcast: 'I Did Not See Longevity'
The 39-year-old gave her 2 cents on Leviss's decision to continue without the podcast while promoting her partnership with Smirnoff. She admitted to being surprised it took so long for her to pull the plug on what was meant to be a temporary outlet to speak her mind.
"Here's the thing: I believe everyone should have a voice and be able to get their side of the story out and that was her way of doing it, so good for her," declared Shay to Page Six.
The reality star explained that she did not see longevity as a long-term goal for the podcast when Leviss launched, adding, "I was actually surprised that it went on for 60-something episodes. So good for her for being able to do it for that long."
Shay Details Her Struggles Keeping A Podcast Running For Over 5 Years
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Despite Shay's low expectations for Leviss' show, she admitted that running a podcast is not child's play. In her words: "It's not easy. People think, 'Oh, I'm gonna start a podcast,' and it actually takes a lot of work."
The Bravo star has run the show on her own podcast "Scheananigans" for more than five years with a star-studded register of celebrity guests and breaking exclusive juicy gossip.
"And still, my heart races before every interview. I get nervous even [recording my solo episodes]. I'm like, 'Oh my God, I'm getting out of breath.' It's not easy," the TV personality admitted.
Shay ended the interview with a piece of advice for anyone looking to start their podcast, "For anyone who thinks, 'I'm just gonna start a podcast,' there's a lot of work that goes into it if you want to make it successful and actually pay the bills with it."
Leviss Quit The Podcast In Pursuit Of A More Healthy Life
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As previously noted by The Blast, the "Vanderpump Rules" alum shared the news with her followers on her Instagram page last week with a post captioned:
"After 65 episodes of Rachel Goes Rogue, I have decided that it is time to conclude the podcast. I would like to thank my team and partnership with iHeart."
She extended her appreciation to guests who have appeared alongside her on the podcast and to the fans "who gave the podcast a listen and hopefully had a positive experience."
The Instagram announcement came after she spoke about quitting the show as part of her decision to leave all things "Vanderpump Rules" behind. Leviss' decision came as a shock to some fans, who praised her for being so open and vulnerable on the podcast.
The Content Creator Sought Professional Intervention After 'Vanderpump Rules'
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The cheating scandal rocked Leviss' boat so hard that she checked herself into The Meadows Mental Health Rehabilitation Center in Arizona to heal from the trauma.
Another agenda on her rehab list was to unburden herself from the shame and conflict her actions caused with her friend and former co-star, Madix.
"One of the assignments was a shame backpack where basically, I was instructed to write down every mean thing that I could recall being thrown my way. All the insults, all the name-calling, all the derogatory comments that I could remember," Leviss recalled.
The 29-year-old and Madix fell out after news broke that she was engaging in an affair with Sandoval while he and Madix were in a committed relationship.
Rachel Leviss Served Scheana Shay Papers At 'Vanderpump Rules' Reunion Last Year
Shay and Leviss' beef began last year after they allegedly traded punches on the set of "Watch What Happens Live" in New York following the revelation of her affair with Sandoval.
Leviss then came bearing papers at the show's reunion, as shared by The Blast, where she had the host Andy Cohen serve Shay the papers.
However, Shay's attorney, Neama Rahmani, clarified that the papers carried zero legal significance, noting: "It was a request to dismiss a complaint or a civil lawsuit, but Rachel had requested a permanent restraining order, which is something completely different.
Rahmani explained that Rachel's new request to dismiss the complaint and drop the temporary restraining order cannotbe grantedbefore hearing on her previous request.