Bethenny Frankel looked to some of the greatest interviewers of all time for inspiration when preparing for her controversial sit-down with Raquel Leviss.
The former “Real Housewives of New York City” star shared a behind-the-scenes video on YouTube Thursday that showed her getting ready for the bombshell podcast taping in Arizona and scanning her notes.
Among other documents in her “Prep” folder, Frankel’s schedule featured a rundown of the day, including a photo shoot with Leviss at 11 a.m. PT.
“Photos (Inspo: Oprah/ Diane Sawyer Style),” the bullet point read.
The schedule also included individual time slots for Frankel, 52, and Leviss, 28, to get glammed up before having a “preamble” and then a “main meet” for the interview.
Notably, from 12:45 to 1:20 p.m. PT, the ex-“Housewife” made sure to fit in some time for a “Post-Mortem Rant After Convo.”
Another packet Frankel showed was titled “What Is Emotional Abuse?” She took a yellow highlighter and highlighted a thick section of a paragraph.
In August, the Skinnygirl founder conducted Leviss’ first public podcast appearance since the “Vanderpump Rules” alum was caught having a months-long affair with her co-star Ariana Madix’s longtime boyfriend, Tom Sandoval.
In addition to Leviss sharing some details from her dalliance with Sandoval — which fans have dubbed Scandoval — she made several other allegations, including that she has not “seen a single penny” from Bravo.
However, an insider told Pvnew that the former beauty pageant queen was already making over $350,000 last season with her $20,000-per-episode contract.
Leviss also confirmed that her time on the reality show had come to an end after the network would not pay her the same amount as Sandoval, 41, and Madix, 38.
Leviss noted that she once “considered” returning to “Pump Rules,” but she ultimately decided she could not “endure that emotional abuse any longer.”
Madix later addressed the interview and slammed Frankel — who admitted to not watching “Vanderpump Rules” — for not “know[ing] what the f–k” she was talking about.
“Bethenny actually upset me more in the things that were said,” the Something about Her co-founder said in the Aug. 25 episode of her co-star Scheana Shay’s podcast, “Scheananigans.”
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
Madix called Frankel’s comments “very hurtful,” especially after the “Just B” host downplayed the affair since the Lifetime actress and Sandoval were not married.
“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.
“None of those people’s relationships are less meaningful because of that. She should know better than to say that about anybody.”
Despite all the backlash from fans and Bravolebrities, Frankel has doubled down on how “happy” she feels about the conversation.
“We did exactly what we wanted to do,” she said on Aug. 24.
