Lala Kent shocked listeners of her Give Them Lala podcast this week when she revealed that one of her co-hosts, Jessica Walter, was exiting the show, while providing no explanation for Jessica’s sudden departure.
Vanderpump Rules fans may remember seeing Jessica on past seasons of the Bravo series. Prior to becoming one of Lala’s podcast co-hosts–- along with Lala’s brother, Easton Burningham–- Jessica worked for Lala as her assistant.
In addition to working for Lala, Jessica seemingly grew very close to Lala and her family over the years, and was reportedly even in the room when Lala delivered her second daughter, Sosa Kent, in September.
While there didn’t appear to be any friction amongst the Give Them Lala crew on recent episodes of the show, Lala revealed on Wednesday’s podcast that Jessica was not going to be working with her in any capacity anymore.
“ … My ride or die, Jessica, is no longer going to be working for me and she will no longer be on the podcast,” Lala said. “My relief is that she is going to go spread her wings … and fly and we wish her all the best.
“I love her more than anything and I’m so excited to see what she’s going to do in her future,” Lala continued.
Easton added that Jessica had a “very bright future ahead of her,” though he admitted it was tough to see her leave.
“ … it was family, but I want her to go and be successful in all the things that she’s wanting in life,” he said. “I’m excited to see her shine and do all the things that she’s wanting to do.”
Following Lala’s announcement, Jessica took to social media Wednesday, posting a solo photo with the caption, “One foot in front of the other, y’all.”
She did not, however, provide any more info on why she is leaving all of her work with Lala behind— or if it was her choice to do so.
After presumably confirming in her caption that she had moved on from her employer, Jessica’s post was flooded with comments from Give Them Lala listeners wanting to know the reason behind her “mysterious” exit, including why she wasn’t on Wednesday’s episode to make the announcement herself.
“I was very surprised that you left without a nice send-off,” one listener wrote. “Mysterious.”
“Kind of weird to be in the room with someone when they deliver their baby and then the next month you up and quit,” another commented.
“Why didn’t you say goodbye,” one listener asked.
With no explanation given by either Jessica or Lala, fans asked that Jessica “spill the tea” on what went really down, while some speculating that Jessica’s silence was due to a possible non-disclosure agreement (NDA).
Amid the speculation surrounding Jessica’s exit, Adam Newell of the Up and Adam! podcast took to TikTok on Wednesday, claiming it was Jessica who decided to quit, and that Lala and Easton’s vague (and extremely positive) remarks on her leaving were motivated by the fact that Jessica “probably knows a little bit too much” about her now former boss.
“ … Lala and Easton made it sound like, ‘Oh my God, we’re gonna miss her, everything’s gonna be good.’ I’m gonna go ahead and tell you that’s because Jess probably knows a little bit too much about Lala Kent,” Adam claimed. “She was in the house, she saw the things, she knows too much.
He also claimed that a source told him that Jessica and Lala did not part ways as amicably as they are trying to make it seem.
” … And I talked to somebody else [who’s] close to the [‘Vanderpump Rules’] cast and they said that was NOT a mutual departure,” he claimed.
@upandadamlive Bad NEWS for Lala after her Assistant QUITS! #lalakent #arianamadix #scheanashay #vpr #vanderpumprules #pumprules #bravotv
While Jessica continues to follow Lala, Easton and Give Them Lala on Instagram, the IG page for the podcast no longer follows Jessica back. However, both Lala and Easton are still following Jessica at this time.
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(Photos: Instagram; TikTok)
One Response
Maybe she got tired saying YEAH and UH HUH, WOW!