Katie Details Her "Emotional" Unseen Talks with Lala About Ariana: “I Felt Safe”
Katie Maloney is defending herself after Lala Kent accused her of talking badly about Ariana Madix behind her back.
Lala Kent accused Katie Maloney of not being truthful about several grievances she apparently had with Ariana Madix over the course of Vanderpump Rules Season 11 during Part 1 of the reunion. Now, Katie's hitting back.
In a lengthy Instagram Story shared shortly after the reunion episode aired on May 14, the Something About Her co-owner explained why she opted to open up about her issues with Ariana to Lala, rather than Ariana herself.
"I'm someone who has suffered from imposter syndrome for as long as I have known myself. Hence why I was apprehensive about opening the sandwich shop on my own," Katie began. "So when Ariana was going through not only a world of hurt but also getting some amazing opportunities. That changed a lot of things during a pivotal time."
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Katie noted that she was "extremely sensitive" to what Ariana was going through after her breakup from Tom Sandoval, "but also very supportive."
At the same time, "I was also dealing with immense insecurity about what I could take on and simply didn't want to put that on her," Katie continued. "I had an emotional response that didn't feel appropriate bringing to her front door so I went to where I felt safe. Or where I thought was safe. Until I could find the appropriate conversation was to have with Ariana. Which of course I did. And we have had plenty of since."
Katie concluded her message in another Instagram Story that was set to the song "I Hope You Choke!" by Movements: "To know me is to know I value trust, loyalty and integrity."
What did Katie tell Lala about Ariana off-camera?
On the Vanderpump Rules After Show, Lala accused Katie of "shying away" from several topics during filming for Season 11.
"[Katie] had said many times that Ariana needed to be out of the house, that there was no reason that she should be in that house still," Lala said, referencing the fact that Ariana opted to continue living with Tom Sandoval long after they broke up. "And then when cameras picked up, it was like the complete opposite. Everything Ariana was saying made perfect sense to Katie. And I'm like, take Ariana out of it, insert Scheana [Shay], same situation, you'd be having a f-cking heyday."
Lala also accused Katie of being "annoyed" that she was "the only one doing sh-t" for her and Ariana's sandwich shop, Something About Her. More specifically, she recalled Katie complaining that Ariana was "always late on her half of the rent."
"I'm like, we've had discussions, you and I, Katie, about the group of bobbleheads that Ariana and Tom surround themselves with — they both do — and now you've turned into one," Lala added. "How do I talk to you? How do I f-cking talk to you?"
Ultimately, though, Lala concluded, "I think she was very worried about rocking the boat when she's invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into this restaurant and her business partner is Ariana. I can't say I wouldn't feel the same way. I probably would."
Still, "she had opinions," Lala added. "The thing is, you can have opinions and still have Ariana's back."
RELATED: James Kennedy Defends Ariana Madix Against Lala Kent: “She’s Forever Grateful”
