Bethenny Frankel Claps Back at Claims of Exploiting Raquel

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Bethenny Frankel is firing back after being accused of exploiting Raquel Leviss on her podcast.

As the Real Housewives of New York City alum, 52, responded to an Instagram user who wondered why it was okay for her to exploit the Vanderpump Rules star, 28, but not Bravo, an insider has confirmed that Raquel “wasn’t paid” for her three-part interview on Bethenny’s podcast — her first since the season 10 reunion.

“Rachel wasn’t paid for her interview with Bethenny,” an insider confirmed to Entertainment Tonight on August 16. “Bethenny offered her an unedited long-form platform where she could speak freely. Rachel knew no other outlet would give her that freedom.”

Part one of Raquel’s interview on Just B With Bethenny went live on Wednesday, August 16, followed by parts two and three on Thursday and Friday. And, according to ET, a video of the full interview is expected to hit YouTube by Saturday.

As part one of the interview, which featured Raquel suggesting she wasn’t a close friend of Ariana Madix, 38, and slamming the inauthentic relationship between Ariana and Tom Sandoval, 40, continued to make headlines on Thursday morning, Bethenny took to her Instagram page to promote part two.

“You may not agree with it but you should hear it,” she captioned her August 17 post.

In an accompanying clip, Raquel was seen discussing her final filmed moment with Sandoval at her apartment, recalling she told him she couldn’t trust him since he filmed a NSFW FaceTime clip of her without her consent, the restraining order Scheana Shay, 38, filed against her, and the season 10 reunion.

In the comments section of the post, Bethenny was met with criticism from fans, one of whom accused both her and Raquel of “trying to stay relevant.”

“Seems like it’s working,” Bethenny replied.

Then, another person wondered, “Why is it not OK for Bravo to exploit her situation but it is OK for you?”

“Her voice. Her words. Her choice,” Bethenny explained.

Vanderpump Rules season 11 is currently in production and expected to begin airing on Bravo sometime later this year or in early 2024.