Bethenny Frankel is defending her decision to grant Raquel Leviss her first post-Scandoval interview.
After releasing the surprise “Just B with Bethenny Frankel” podcast episode Wednesday with the embattled “Vanderpump Rules” star, the former “Housewife” took to her Instagram comments section to clap back.
She slammed one social media user who believed “no one cares about anything” Leviss, 28, has to say, writing, “Then don’t listen.”
Frankel, 52, went on to tell another Instagram troll that it was their “choice” to hate on the former pageant queen for having an affair with Tom Sandoval during his relationship with Ariana Madix.
The Skinnygirl creator also used hands-up emojis to show her support for a comment praising the controversial sit-down.
“Whether you agree with what she did or not or her treatment over it @bethennyfrankel has clearly invited her to do this podcast in a safe, comfortable environment where she is able to give an account of what happened & how she feels,” the fan wrote. “It’s a choice to listen or not regardless of your views on her & the subject matter, isn’t it?”
Many of Frankel’s followers expressed mixed reactions to the episode, which is “part one” of an unspecified number.
Frankel used the Bravolebrity’s legal name to debut the episode early Wednesday, writing, “A woman’s voice is very powerful. Now Rachel is using hers to tell her own story…for the first time.”
While Leviss’ co-stars have yet to comment on the interview, Tom Sandoval, Ariana Madix and more cast members reunited at SUR Tuesday night for a charity event.
Leviss, who did not attend the outing, has been photographed in Arizona as Season 11 films without her in Lake Tahoe, West Hollywood and more locations.
Follow Pvnew’s coverage of ‘Scandoval‘
- Tom Sandoval, Raquel Leviss, Ariana Madix drama, explained
- How Ariana Madix found out about Tom Sandoval, Raquel Leviss’ affair
- Ariana Madix rips ‘subhuman’ Raquel, ‘rat’ Sandoval in ‘Pump Rules’ reunion trailer
As she spoke about Season 10’s cheating scandal for the first time since filming the March reunion — and her months-long stay in a mental health facility — Leviss slammed Sandoval, 41, for recording the “intimate” FaceTime video that brought their dalliance to light without her “consent.”
In addition to describing Madix’s behavior at the reunion as “uncalled for,” Leviss dissed Scheana Shay for pushing a “narrative” that she was taken “advantage” of.
Notably, Frankel has shown support for Leviss in the past since news broke of the affair.
Last month, she encouraged Bravo’s “punching bag” to negotiate with the network and “get paid” to return to reality TV — which, as Pvnew previously reported, is exactly the kind of “hardball” Leviss has been playing.
