Scheana Shay: Lisa Vanderpump Exploited Me for Reality Show Drama

Just days before the release of her memoir My Good Side, Vanderpump Rules star Scheana Shay has made explosive claims against former mentor Lisa Vanderpump, accusing her of emotional manipulation and exploiting her real-life pain for reality television.

In an interview published by Us Weekly on 15 July, Shay alleged that Vanderpump 'gaslit' her for more than a decade by pretending not to know about her highly publicised affair with actor Eddie Cibrian. The scandal, which came to light in the late 2000s, became a key storyline during the early seasons of Vanderpump Rules, which premiered in 2013.

'She Used My Pain for TV'

'She low-key used my real-life pain to launch her TV empire,' Shay told Us Weekly. 'She gaslit me about it for a decade instead of just being honest from the beginning.'

According to Shay, Vanderpump's on-camera reaction—feigning surprise at the affair—damaged her reputation and made her appear 'desperate for attention.' She claims the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hillsstar prioritised dramatic effect over honesty, contributing to a toxic professional relationship with lasting emotional consequences.

'She could've just come to me and said, "Here's what I know, let's talk about it,"' Shay said. 'Instead, she acted like she was shocked and embarrassed on camera, which made me look like a liar.'

Lisa Vanderpump Has Not Responded to Allegation

As of 16 July, Lisa Vanderpump has not responded to Shay's gaslighting allegation. However, in a May appearance on Watch What Happens Live, Vanderpump dismissed the upcoming memoir as a 'publicity stunt.'

'Oh, good Lord. That's probably just to sell the book,' she said, adding that she works with hundreds of people and suggesting her relationship with Shay was limited.

Despite Vanderpump's remarks, Shay insists that her memoir is not intended as an attack but rather as a personal account of betrayal, emotional harm, and growth.

My Good Side Set to Be Released on 22 July

Scheana Shay's memoir My Good Side will be released on 22 July 2025 and is expected to delve deeper into her personal journey, including her time on Vanderpump Rules and her strained dynamic with Lisa Vanderpump.

With interest in the book gaining traction ahead of its release, Shay's revelations may spark fresh discussions around the ethics of reality TV and the exploitation of cast members' personal lives for ratings.