Ariana Doesn't "Co-Sign" Scheana and Sandoval's Friendship Amid the Drama of Viral Photo in Lake Tahoe

The cast trip to Lake Tahoe currently playing out on Vanderpump Rules Season 11 actually made headlines long before Episode 6 on March 5. Why? Because although Scheana Shay was still grappling with her complicated feelings about Tom Sandoval, a photo of the two looking friendly hit the internet and chaos ensued. 

Scheana opened up about the reaction to the snapshot on both Vanderpump Rules and the Vanderpump Rules After Show. The latest episode of the latter also saw Ariana Madix and Katie Maloney weigh in on Scheana feeling torn about forgiving Tom.

Get all the details — and see the photo that kicked everything off in the first place — by scrolling below. 

More from Bravo: 

You Won't Believe What Scheana Revealed About Her Current Friendship with Tom After "Tough Conversation[s]"

Tom Sandoval Tears Up Over *This* Emotional Moment During Tahoe Trip As One He "Didn't See Coming"

Scheana Shay Reveals If She's Friends with Both Katie and Tom Schwartz After Their Split

The Viral Photo of Scheana Shay and Tom Sandoval

Addressing the photo controversy while speaking to Lala Kent on Vanderpump Rules, Scheana said, "I'm exhausted having to f-cking defend myself for how I stand in a goddamn photo. It [was] a girl's birthday and she's like, 'Can I get a photo with everyone?' and I'm like, 'Sure!' and I stand and then [Tom Sandoval] goes and stands right by me. Then that photo gets out." 

Scheana said that the backlash was "literally everywhere," although Lala noted that she hadn't seen any of it. Still, she asked, "Has Ariana come to your defense at all?"

"No, of course not," Scheana said. "I'm tired."

The group posing together during Vanderpump Rules Season 11, Episode 6. Photo: Bravo

Scheana Shay's Frustrations with Ariana Madix Over Tom Sandoval

From there, Scheana opened up about her frustrations with Ariana. "When I try to talk to Ariana and say that I'm struggling, she either dismisses how I feel or tells me I shouldn't feel this way because he's a bad person," she explained. "It's like, I know, but I'm just telling you I'm struggling." 

Lala agreed, telling Scheana, "Your feelings are absolutely valid. Ariana is doing just fine; She's booking everything under the sun. She's having her moment and she deserves that."

"And I do have her back and I'm so happy for her," a teary-eyed Scheana responded. "She does deserve everything she's getting right now and I'm so happy for her that she did not go down a f-cking dark spiral. I just am hurting still ... I lost a very, very dear friend here. I am struggling with that, but I'm not allowed to feel anything because it's only about Ariana. And I'm tired." 

Lala continued to show her support to Scheana, adding in a confessional interview, "Scheana has been ride or die since day one for Ariana, and now it's time for Ariana to return the favor."

How Ariana Madix Feels About Scheana Shay and Tom Sandoval's Friendship

Ariana, for her part, said on the Vanderpump Rules After Show that she feels as though she's "been very understanding" of Scheana's pain. "I don't know what else I need to do."

What she doesn't want to do, though, is give anyone her approval just to make them feel better. Specifically referring to the notion of Scheana forgiving Tom and pursuing a friendship with him, she said, "If that's a road she wants to goes down, she has every right to do that and can, but I don't think I need to be the one who co-signs it." 

Hear more from the group by watching the above Vanderpump Rules After Show clip.