Lala Kent Explains the Real Reason She & Her Ex-Assistant Parted Ways: "Have a Great Life"
The Vanderpump Rules cast member is now looking for Jessica Walter's replacement.
Lala Kent is setting the record straight about her former assistant’s departure.
It was roughly two months ago when Lala announced her longtime “ride or die” Jessica Walter had left her team after years of working as an assistant. The Vanderpump Rules mom shared the shocking news in a November episode of the Give Them Lala podcast, which Jessica previously co-hosted.
“My ache is that my ride or die, Jessica, is no longer going to be working for me, and she is no longer going to be on the podcast," Lala said. “My relief is that she’s going to spread her wings. I love her more than anything, and I’m so excited to see what she’s going to do in her future.”
Lala Kent addresses "rumors" surrounding Jessica Walter's departure
Although Lala suggested she and Jessica were still on good terms, rumors began circulating about a possible fallout between the longtime besties. Lala was asked about those whispers in the December 31 episode of the Not Skinny but Not Fat podcast.
“We’re gonna have to talk about the rumors a little bit,” host Amanda Hirsch said, referring to Jessica’s exit. “People are freaking out about it for some reason.”
Lala acknowledged there was a lot of “wild” interest in Jessica’s employment move but insisted there was no big drama.
“At the end of the day, she was my employee,” the former SUR hostess said. “She wanted to go and move on with her life, and I would be a crazy person to not say, ‘Go and achieve everything you want to achieve.’ People are, like, wanting an explanation. I’m like, ‘I don’t know how to break this down.’ Let’s just say my mom was like, ‘I no longer want to be helping you, like, I really need to go and experience life as a, you know, 64-year-old and see what’s out there.’ By all means, go. Be free. Fly.”
Lala Kent wishes her former assistant "the best"
Lala also said it was Jessica’s choice to leave her team and that she had zero regrets about her hiring.
“At the end of the day, she was employed by Lala Kent. You are no longer employed. I wish you the best. Have a great life,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot in many relationships in my life. From my ex-fiancé to certain friends that I’ve had to employees that I’ve had. Every single thing that I’ve experienced in the past two to three years, I have learned something from. I don’t regret anything, but I know how to make things different.”
Lala Kent reveals what she's looking for a new assistant
Lala told Amanda she was accepting resumes for a new assistant but was looking for someone who was in it for the long haul.
“Let me tell you something: Your big dream better be, I only wanna be the best assistant to Lala Kent in the world. Like no dreams, no aspirations. You don’t wanna build shit,” Lala joked about Jessica’s potential replacement. “I don’t like change. I’ve had so much change in my life, in such a short period of time.”
