Jessica Walters took to social media on Wednesday to comment on her recent (and very unexpected) exit from Lala Kent’s Give Them Lala podcast, a week after Lala shocked fans by announcing that Jess was no longer working for her. In a telling video posted to Instagram Stories, Jessica made it clear that she was not in favor of the quick, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it send-off Lala gave her on the podcast.
As The Ashley told you last week, Lala revealed the news about Jess on an episode of Give Them Lala, during which she and her brother, Easton Burningham– who is also a co-host on the podcast– spoke highly of Jess and wished her “all the best,” though neither provided any explanation for Jess’s abrupt exit to listeners.
Shortly after the podcast episode was released last week, fans began taking to social media to express their shock over Jess’s exit, as well as the way it was announced by Lala and Easton, largely due to how close Jess appeared to be to Lala and her family.
Vanderpump Rules fans will remember seeing Jess on past seasons of the Bravo series. Before becoming one of Lala’s podcast co-hosts three years ago, Jess worked for Lala as her assistant. She was even reportedly in the room when Lala delivered her second daughter in September.
On Wednesday– nearly a week after Lala announced the news to listeners– Jess posted a lengthy Instagram Story addressing her exit from the podcast, while acknowledging the many fans who have been asking why she left Give Them Lala without saying goodbye. Before discussing why she wasn’t on the episode to announce for herself that she was leaving, Jess mentioned the listeners she met and connected with over the years, calling them “the brightest light” and the “most amazing people ever.”
“Of course, I would have said goodbye to you guys if I were given the opportunity. Of course,” Jess said. “ … I would want to say, you know, how much I love and appreciate just connecting with all of you. So, I’ll say that now.
“Right now, on behalf of my position on the Give Them Lala podcast, goodbye,” Jess continued. “And I love every single one of you. I hope we stay connected. That is all I will say for now.”
Jess ended her video by thanking listeners for “making my life better” and by telling them how much she loves and appreciates them, including those who have reached out following the news that she was no longer a part of Give Them Lala.
While Lala has yet to give her podcast listeners an explanation for Jess’s mysterious exit– nor has she confirmed whether Jess was fired or if Jess decided to leave the podcast on her own– fans of Give Them Lala are still demanding some clarity on the situation.
Many listeners have taken to latest post on the podcast’s Instagram page to express their frustration over Jess’s exit, with some claiming that Give Them Lala just isn’t the same without Jess.
“I’m a die-hard Lala fan but [Give Them Lala] is not the same without Jess, especially when we have no idea what happened,” one fan commented.
“You have to [address] why Jess is not on the pod anymore! another listener wrote. “Your pod has lost its heart and soul without a mention of why.. At least your listeners deserve to get [an] answer.. And Jess deserves a proper exit with standing ovation.”
“Jess clearly did or said something that didn’t fit ‘the pod’ mentality,” one listener speculated. “It’s clear in Jess’s stories that she’s very hurt by her quick and sharp exit considering she was considered family.”
Some Give Them Lala listeners have even taken to Lala’s personal Instagram page to share their frustration regarding the way Jess’s exit was handled.
“[You’re] going to lose followers if you don’t address the Jess of it all,” one listener wrote.
“WHERE’S JESS?” another fan added. “You are a snake of epic proportions.”
Lala has yet to respond to Jess’s recent comments.
Watch a clip from Jess’s Instagram Story below.
(Photos: Instagram; Bravo)
