Lisa Vanderpump is now addressing the claims surrounding "Vanderpump Rules" and her Pump restaurant. The restauranteur shut down the rumors she paid Raquel Leviss to have an affair with Tom Sandoval to make some noise.
"Vanderpump Rules" ratings have skyrocketed since the news about Leviss and Sandoval's affair, while the latter was in a nine-year relationship with Ariana Madix, resulting in the couple's breakup, emerged. With that, Teddi Mellencamp claimed that the show's matriarch had paid Leviss to do that.
In a tweet on Wednesday, March 15, the 62-year-old cleared that she "didn't pay cast members to sleep together for ratings." She added that they did it on their own, calling it fake news before wishing everyone a good day.
In an episode of Mellissa Gorga's "On Display" podcast, Mellencamp talked about the controversy called "Scandoval," alleging Lisa might have paid Leviss to do it, per Page Six. The self-professed accountability coach and the businesswoman's relationship is known to be soured while they were still on "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" together.
She continued that Andy Cohen only invited her to be a guest on his late-night talk show after a long hiatus because "nobody cared until now." Mellencamp alluded Lisa would take Sandoval's side as she believed Lisa always showed her support to men.
She also accused Lisa of only wanting the best for herself and her show "to tank." She then pointed out that "Vanderpump Rules" rating is skyrocketing as of late, which Lisa allegedly wanted. Mellencamp then predicted Leviss might get engaged and pregnant within a year.
Meanwhile, Lisa also reacted to the reports that Pump would leave its WeHo location after a decade. She told People they had a good relationship with the landlord and were "discussing resigning their lease over the next few months."
However, they haven't decided yet. She then revealed Pump would have more branches in Las Vegas to expand its empire and would open two more restaurants with Caesars Palace.
Lisa's comments came after Leslie Haro, a broker with City Street Commercial, told Entertainment Tonight that the business was being sold, though not the real estate, as they looked for a long-term tenant.
Lisa and her husband, Ken Todd, are said to be not the owners of the building. In other news, Lisa's restaurant TomTom, which she co-owns with Tom Schwartz and Sandoval, also had its liquor licenses temporarily suspended, though it was already reinstated on March 10.
