Lala Kent’s custody battle with former fiancé Randall Emmett recently came to an end, and the former Vanderpump Rules star has revealed that settling the lengthy (and downright nasty) dispute felt like “the biggest relief on the planet.”
As fans will remember, Lala and the controversial movie producer got engaged in 2018, though they ended things soon after welcoming daughter Ocean in 2021. While the pair allegedly called it quits because Randall was unfaithful to his fiancée, Lala hinted to People that the custody dispute over Ocean that followed was an even bigger challenge for her to face.
“That was weighing so heavy on me and it was such a temporary agreement that we were living by,” she told the outlet. “We didn’t know if it was going to end up in court, if we would settle. So, the fact that we both really put our guards down and thought about what would offer Ocean the most consistency, it just warmed my heart.”
Lala insisted that she and Randall will “never be friends,” even describing their current situation as “distant co-parenting,” though she also revealed that she and her ex are “in a good place.”
“Ocean is thriving and I think that that’s all you can hope for,” she said.
Lala– who welcomed her second child, daughter Sosa, in September via intrauterine insemination (IUI)– noted that things are so good between her and Randall at the moment that she decided recently to allow Ocean to spend her fourth birthday with Randall at Disneyland, despite having “the option” to spend time with Ocean herself.
“ … I’m like, ‘I see her every day, and as fun as it is for me, if you were four years old, would you rather kick it with your mom or just get straight to Disney?’” Lala said. “It’s moments like that in co-parenting where I’m like, ‘Wow.’ We all live for how we can support and be the best parents for our kids, but I really have to take myself out of every situation now and say, ‘What is the best for Ocean, and what would Ocean enjoy the most?’
“I think she would enjoy Disneyland the most, so that’s what she’s going to do,” she added.
Back in February 2023, Lala spoke to Entertainment Tonight at her “Give Them Lala & Friends” pop-up event, during which she acknowledged the accusations made against Randall in an exposé by the Los Angeles Times. While Randall denied the claims against him– including the allegation that he offered acting jobs for sex– Lala said she had heard much worse about her ex’s behavior, which prompted her to fight so hard to gain custody of Ocean.
“It’s horrific and disturbing and it’s why I’m in a custody battle,” she said. “Ocean Kent has to be protected. It’s really bad.”
(A month before Lala made those comments, it was reported that Ambyr Childers— Randall’s ex-wife and the mother of his two oldest daughters– had revealed in a court filing that Randall was being investigated by the FBI for “suspected activities with child exploitation and pedophilia.” Randall denied the allegations, though when the story broke, Lala posted to her Instagram Story, “Keep telling yourself whatever you need to help you sleep at night. You’re seen.”)
Earlier this month, Lala revealed the update about her and Randall’s custody agreement on Amazon Live, telling viewers that “after over three years” she and Randall had signed an agreement that is best for their daughter.
“So I’m very, very happy about that,” she added.
As The Ashley previously told you, Lala is set to appear on Season 2 of ‘The Valley,’ premiering April 15 on Bravo.
(Photos: Instagram; Bravo)
