Ariana Madix called out “mean” fans attacking friend Scheana Shay for taking a ‘happy’ photo with Ariana’s ex Tom Sandoval, who cheated on her last season.
The Vanderpump Rules star called Scheana an “amazing friend” who was “doing something nice.”
Meanwhile, Scheana addressed the wave of leaks surrounding the new season after the star was spotted talking to Tom – which triggered an additional tsunami of outrage.
Following the photo controversy, Ariana rushed to Instagram to call out the haters and explain what actually happened.
“Scheana is an amazing friend who took a photo with a fan for their birthday. There’s been so many mean comments towards her for it and she was just doing something nice,” wrote Ariana in a post shared by @bravobreakingnews on Instagram.
She went on to say, “We always try to stop for photos and when the whole cast is present, it’s common for the whole cast to be in the photo regardless of what is going on between any of us at the time.”
On her Scheananigans podcast, Scheana addressed the multitude of recent leaks, which “usually doesn’t happen as much.”
She credited this to the paparazzi and denied that cast members are leaking it themselves. “I will say one thing that’s even more different about this season is there have been so many things leaked already,” she said.
“There was literally a paparazzi hiding in the back alley of SUR when I was talking to Sandoval the other day,” she explained.
Meanwhile, fans praised Ariana for defending her friend over the photo controversy.
“Please, everyone needs to MoveOn. Ariana is obviously in a better place,” wrote one user.
“Good job Ariana for sticking up for her!! 🙌” expressed another.
A different fan added, “People need to really let this go. It’s shocking to see the hate comments still. It’s very very odd. I love VPR but come on.”
A fourth fan wrote, “Just let them be. My goodness to have [your] life play out on TV and be judged for everything is crazy. Yes they are paid but this goes beyond abuse.”
Another shared, “Like who cares she stood next to him in a picture. Just because she did that doesn’t mean she forgives him. Hell if Scheana wants to be friends with him again good for her. Ariana is happy and she’s moved on [and] I’m sure she doesn’t care at this point. Get over it haters.”