Ariana Explains Why She Didn’t Defend Scheana Over *That* Controversial Photo: “It’s a Backfire”

When some of the Vanderpump Rules cast went on a trip to Lake Tahoe last year, a group photo they took with a fan quickly went viral due to Scheana Shay standing next to Tom Sandoval shortly after his tumultuous split from Ariana Madix. 

Now, viewers are getting to see the backstory of that photo and the tense conversations surrounding it. On Season 11, Episode 7, Lala Kent shared with Ariana that "the internet was ripping [Scheana] apart" for the photo and declared, "You didn't come to her defense at all."

Although Ariana initially defended her choice to stay silent on the matter, explaining, "I'm not gonna post and have my sh-t reposted as headlines and stuff," after her conversation with Lala, she did later post to Instagram in defense of Scheana, calling her an "amazing friend."

Ariana Madix explains why she didn't defend Scheana Shay after that group photo with Tom

In the Vanderpump Rules Season 11 After Show video above, Scheana, Ariana, Lala, and Katie Maloney, as well as The Valley cast members Kristen Doute and Brittany Cartwright, discuss the photo, and Ariana offers more details on why she was initially hesitant to put out a statement right away. 

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

"I didn't think about it," Ariana says in the clip above. "I've never been like 'Oh, Katie got a mean comment on her Instagram so I'm gonna go on my Instagram and make a big deal about — I don't know, I just feel like it's a backfire."

"I'm of the idea that if you ignore it, it goes away, people move on, and it's whatever," she continues. "But then, when Lala brought that up, and it became clear that it was something that was very important to her, then I did post something because I was like, well, I don't want her to think that I'm, like, purposely not posting something as some sort of attack or something."

While Scheana notes she "appreciated" Ariana's statement, she adds, "I know it was because Lala really put it in perspective that she should." However, Lala had a different view of the situation. "Ariana didn't have to. I could have told her how I felt and she could have gone about her merry way. She didn't. She took it, she processed it, and then she made the decision to defend Scheana." 

Watch the full conversation in the Vanderpump Rules Season 11 After Show video above.