Lala Kent Disagrees With Scheana Shay’s Claims of Producer’s Manipulation on Vanderpump Rules, Slams Jax & Talks Show’s Future, Plus Status With Brittany, Season 11 Highlight, & Not Seeing Friendship With Tom Sandoval

Lala Kent is reacting to Scheana Shay‘s claims about Vanderpump Rules production and discussing their midseason meeting.

After Scheana, 39, suggested that she was prompted by production to behave a certain way, Lala, 33, confirmed she and the cast had a meeting amid season 11 while also addressing the show’s future, admitting she doesn’t like Jax Taylor, 44, sharing where she stands with Brittany Cartwright, 35, and more.

“I have never been a puppet to production, I, in no, way, shape, or form, felt that production was trying to get me to lean one way or the other,” Lala confirmed on the June 10 episode of Two Ts in a Pod. “There was a meeting midseason. What I gathered from that meeting was not what Scheana gathered. Was the show in jeopardy? Yes, and not because of anybody else except Tom Sandoval. You wrecked the group. The show’s based on the group.”

Although rumors have swirled in regard to the potential cancellation of Pump Rules, which Andy Cohen, 56, recently confirmed has been put “on pause,” Lala said she wasn’t worried about the show’s future, but relieved.

“I feel a little bit relieved. Like, I want a break. I cried every day out of frustration. I usually look forward to going and filming that show. I dreaded every second. Every time they said, ‘Hey, you got the day off tomorrow,’ I cried tears of joy because I was so happy I did not have to engage. I’ve never felt that way before,” she admitted.

Amid Pump Rules’ “pause,” there have been reports claiming Lala and Scheana could transition onto The Valley‘s cast. But several of the series’ stars, including Kristen Doute, 41, and Jax, have made it clear they do not want them on their show.

“Jax is such a square,” Lala said in response, “I’m like, ‘You’re a buffoon over here.’ People are like, ‘Jax said this,’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, of course.’ And he’ll be calling me tomorrow asking me for advice and I’ll pick up the phone and I’ll preface it by saying, ‘You know, I don’t like you that much.’”

Lala also doesn’t like Brittany that much — at least not after she and Jax confronted her mom about potentially hiring their nanny without their permission.

“We’re taking a breather from each other,” Lala revealed.

Despite describing season 11 as “tough,” Lala said it was a “personal high.”

“I was able to, for the first time, hear people, see multiple sides, practice compassion while also questioning things that didn’t make sense,” she shared. “I know people are probably sick of me talking about what I experienced with my ex [Randall Emmett], but it was heavily traumatic and I work through it as much as I can each day. And finally, this season I was able to sink into like, this could last a long time, like are we gonna put having a baby on pause until like it’s over? Because it may never be over.”

Also on the podcast, Lala shared her thoughts on Tom and his mental health struggles.

“I don’t know Tom super well. What I’ve seen of him, I can’t say I am in alignment with him. I don’t see us ever being friends. And I know it sounds selfish — but when someone says to me someone is talking about suicide, I immediately think, ‘Okay, well, if I continue to go in on this person and let’s just say they’re not full of sh*t and they do take their life, it’s on me.’ But if he is bullsh*tting and he knows it, you have to sleep with yourself at night, not me. And that’s what I really wanted to get across this season,” she explained.

Vanderpump Rules season 12 is expected to go into production later this year after a summer “pause.”