Entertainment
Bethenny Claims Raquel Got Paid Less Than Her Interns on August 16, 2023 at 1:36 pm Us Weekly

Bethenny Frankel and Raquel Leviss. Shutterstock (2)
Raquel Leviss brought Bravo a lot of attention following her cheating scandal with Tom Sandoval — and according to Bethenny Frankel, she wasn’t properly compensated.
“It occurs to me that you are the villain. Ariana [Madix] is the hero. Tom is another character who doesn’t take the hit as much as you in this scandal of all. But you’re right, the realm is making a lot of money and now it took three of you in a recipe to create the scandal,” Frankel, 52, told Leviss, 28, on iHeartRadio’s “ReWives” podcast on Wednesday, August 16.
The Real Housewives of New York City alum believes Leviss deserved a bigger paycheck after her affair with Sandoval, 41, brought the network endless press and higher ratings for the show. .
“As people who are partially produced … Let’s just say that it’s real in a very unreal circumstance. So now you have one of the three characters that can’t even afford to pay for your treatment that you just went through,” Frankel said, referring to Leviss’ stay in a mental health facility after season 10 of Vanderpump Rules wrapped. “Because it’s my understanding that you get paid in a year less than my interns get paid.”
Leviss was surprised by Frankel’s remark, but alleged that Bravo producers encouraged her to be messy on screen.
“One of the things that producers also told me is that you get paid based off of your performance from the season prior,” she claimed. “So that already set me up to want to perform well going into season 10. I was like, ‘OK, this could be my season. I could really stand out and I’m single for the first time. Like, I wanna embrace that.’ And I took direction well.”
The former beauty pageant queen’s personal life was at the center of season 10 following her split from James Kennedy. She originally was linked to Peter Madrigal and Oliver Saunders before hooking up with Tom Schwartz in August 2022. As the drama played out on screen, Us Weekly confirmed in March that Sandoval and Madix, 38, had split because of his secret romance with Leviss.
Leviss told Frankel she wasn’t thrilled by how she became the villain in the situation.
“I just heard what you were saying on TikTok and using my example as using my case as an example of exploitation. And the way that the network is running to the bank with this scandal and I haven’t seen a single penny,” she told Frankel on Wednesday. “So in that way, I feel it’s not fair and I feel like a toddler saying, ‘It’s not fair.’ But it really isn’t.”
Leviss continued: “The mistakes that I’ve made on camera live on forever. And you mentioned something about the addiction of doing reality TV and the way that they always dangle that carrot in front of you. Like [they say], ‘You need to tell your side of the story, otherwise it’s gonna be written for you.’ And that’s terrifying.”
During the interview, Leviss admitted she “almost went back” to film season 11, hinting she won’t appear at all as Bravo is currently filming new episodes of the hit series with Madix, Sandoval, Lala Kent, Katie Maloney, Scheana Shay, Schwartz, 40, and Kennedy, 31.
Before cameras started rolling again, Madix made it clear that she has no plans to reconcile with Sandoval or Leviss.
“No. I have nothing to say to either of them,” she told The New York Times in May when asked whether she was “open to filming with” her ex and former friend after their affair. “Our show is very real and follows a real group of friends, and neither of them are in the group of friends, so, good luck.”
Raquel Leviss brought Bravo a lot of attention following her cheating scandal with Tom Sandoval — and according to Bethenny Frankel, she wasn’t properly compensated. “It occurs to me that you are the villain. Ariana [Madix] is the hero. Tom is another character who doesn’t take the hit as much as you in this scandal
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Entertainment
Mother’s Day AfroFun Praise Party: Gospel Dance, Fitness & Feel‑Good Stats in 60 Minutes

This Mother’s Day in Spring, Texas, you’re invited to do more than just sit at brunch—come dance, sweat, and celebrate at the Mother’s Day AfroFun Praise Party: Gospel Dance, Fitness & Feel‑Good Stats in 60 Minutes. This one‑hour Afrobeat gospel dance class is for men and women, bringing live worship, high‑energy choreography, and real fitness benefits together in one unforgettable experience.
Live gospel + Afrobeat energy
On the mic is powerhouse gospel singer Shawna Pat, known for her heartfelt worship, energetic praise songs, and ministry that makes every room feel like church and concert at the same time. She’ll be leading live vocals all class long, turning each track into a moment to sing along, shout, or just soak in the presence while you move.
On the floor, Andrew from WoWo Boyz and the Kingdrewwskyy crew bring the Afrobeat power. Expect easy‑to‑follow, Afro‑inspired choreography that looks hype on video but still feels doable if you’re brand new to dance. Together, Shawna and Andrew create a “praise party meets fitness class” vibe you can’t get from a playlist or a regular gym session.
A co‑ed Mother’s Day celebration that counts
This event is built for men and women—moms, dads, sons, daughters, couples, and friends who want to honor the mothers in their lives while doing something healthy and fun. The format is simple: warm‑up, dance‑cardio, a short ministry moment focused on mothers and families, and a cool‑down to breathe and stretch it out.
All levels are welcome. If you can walk and two‑step, you can do this class. You choose your intensity: go all‑in with every jump or keep it low‑impact and still stay in the groove. The music is clean and faith‑filled, so you never have to worry about lyrics or the vibe if you’re inviting church friends or bringing teens.
The feel‑good fitness stats
Behind the fun, this one hour delivers real health wins. Health guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate‑intensity cardio per week, but less than half of adults hit that number. AfroFun helps close that gap—by making movement feel like a celebration instead of a chore.
In just 60 minutes, many people can:
- Hit 4,000–6,000+ steps, based on what similar dance‑fitness and Mother’s Day cardio sessions log in under an hour.
- Spend solid time in their heart‑healthy zone, where cardio actually strengthens the heart and builds endurance.
- Knock out a big chunk of their weekly 150‑minute cardio goal in one fun, faith‑filled session.
You walk out with more than photos and memories—you leave with better numbers for your heart, body, and mood.
Get your tickets
AfroFun Praise Party happens Sunday, May 10, 4–5 PM at 2400 FM 2920, Spring, TX 77388, with free parking and in‑person, high‑energy vibes. Tickets are limited, and early spots always move fastest once people see Shawna Pat and WoWo Boyz are in the building.
Advice
How Far Would You Go to Book Your Dream Role?

The question Sydney Sweeney’s career forces every serious artist to ask themselves.
Most people say they want to be an actor. But wanting the life and being willing to do what the life requires are two entirely different things. Sydney Sweeney’s performance as Cassie Howard in Euphoria is one of the clearest examples in recent television of what it actually looks like when an artist refuses to protect themselves from the story they are telling.
The Performance That Started a Conversation
Cassie Howard is not a comfortable character to watch. She is messy, desperate, and heartbreakingly human in ways that most scripts would have softened or simplified. Sydney Sweeney did not soften her. She played every scene at full exposure — the breakdowns, the humiliation, the moments where Cassie is both completely wrong and completely understandable at the same time.
What made the performance remarkable was not the difficulty of the scenes. It was the consistency of her commitment to them. Night after night on set, take after take, she showed up and gave the camera something real. That is not a small thing. That is the kind of discipline that separates working actors from generational ones.
What the Industry Does Not Tell You
The entertainment industry sells you a version of success built around talent, timing, and luck. And while all three matter, none of them are the real differentiator in a room full of equally talented people. The real differentiator is willingness — the willingness to be honest, to be vulnerable, and to let the work require something personal from you.
Most actors hit a wall at some point in their career where a role demands more than they have publicly shown before. The ones who say yes to that moment, who trust the material and the director enough to go somewhere uncomfortable, are the ones audiences remember long after the credits roll.
Sydney Sweeney said yes repeatedly. And the industry took notice.
The Question Worth Asking Yourself
Before you answer, really think about it. There is a moment in every serious audition room where someone might ask you to go further than you are comfortable with — to access something real, to stop performing and start revealing. In that moment, you have to decide what your dream is actually worth to you and, more importantly, what parts of yourself you are not willing to trade for it.
That is the question Euphoria quietly raises for anyone watching with ambition in their chest. Not “could I do that,” but “should I ever feel pressured to.” There is a difference between an artist who chooses vulnerability as a creative tool and one who is pressured into exposure they never agreed to. Knowing that difference is not a weakness. It is the most important thing a young actor can understand before they walk into a room that will test it.
Because the only role that truly costs too much is the one that asks you to abandon who you are to play it.
What You Can Take From This
Whether you are an actor, a filmmaker, a content creator, or someone simply building something from scratch, the principle is the same. The work that connects with people is almost always the work that cost the creator something real. Audiences can feel the difference between performance and truth. They always could.
Sydney Sweeney did not become one of the most talked-about actresses of her generation because she got lucky. She got there because she was willing to be completely, uncomfortably human in front of a camera — and because she knew exactly who she was before she let the role take over.
That combination — full commitment and a clear sense of self — is rarer than talent. And it is the thing worth chasing.
Written for Bolanle Media | Entertainment. Culture. Conversation.
Entertainment
Bieber’s Coachella Set Has Everyone Arguing Again

And honestly? That might be exactly what he wanted.
Justin Bieber stepped onto the Coachella stage Saturday night as the highest-paid headliner in the festival’s history — reportedly pocketing $10 million — and proceeded to sit down at a laptop and play YouTube videos.
The internet, predictably, lost its mind.
What Actually Happened
This was Bieber’s first major U.S. performance since his Justice era — a long-awaited comeback after battling Ramsay Hunt syndrome in 2022, which caused partial facial paralysis, plus years of mental health struggles and a very public disappearing act from the industry.
The stage setup was minimal: a fluid cocoon-like structure, no backup dancers, no elaborate lighting rigs. Just Bieber, a stool, and a laptop.
He opened with tracks from his 2025 albums Swag and Swag II, then invited the crowd on a journey — “How far back do you go?”
What followed was a nostalgic scroll through his entire career: old YouTube covers before he was famous, classic hits “Baby“ and “Never Say Never“ playing on screen while he sang alongside his younger self. Guests including The Kid Laroi, Wizkid, and Tems joined him throughout the night.
He even played his viral “Standing on Business” paparazzi rant and re-enacted it live, hoodie on, completely unbothered.
The Moment Nobody Predicted
But here’s what the critics burying him in their hot takes chose not to lead with: Bieber closed his set with worship music.
In the middle of Coachella — one of the most secular stages on the planet — he performed songs rooted in his Christian faith, openly crediting Jesus as the reason he was standing on that stage at all.
It wasn’t subtle. It wasn’t a quick prayer and a thank-you. He leaned into it fully, in front of a crowd of 125,000 people who came expecting pop bangers and got a testimony instead.
For fans who have followed his faith journey — his deep involvement with Hillsong and later Churchome, his baptism in 2014, and his very public declaration that Jesus saved his life during his darkest years — the moment landed like a full-circle miracle.
Why People Are Mad
Critics have been brutal.
Zara Larsson summed up the skeptics perfectly, posting on TikTok: “It’s giving let’s smoke and watch YouTube“ — and that clip went just as viral as the performance itself.
One fan on X wrote: “I’m crying, this might actually be the worst performance I’ve ever seen. He’s just playing videos from YouTube… zero effort, pure laziness.”
The comparison to Sabrina Carpenter’s Friday headlining set — elaborate staging, multiple costume changes, celebrity cameos — only made Bieber’s stripped-down show look more controversial.
And the $10 million figure kept coming up. People felt cheated.
Why His Fans Think Everyone’s Missing the Point
Here’s where it gets interesting.
One commenter on X put it best: “He did not force a high-production machine that could burn him out again. Instead, he sat with his past, scrolling through old YouTube videos, duetting with his younger self, and mixing nostalgia with new chapters.”
As the set progressed, Bieber visibly opened up. He removed his sunglasses. He took off his hoodie. He smiled, made jokes about falling through a stage as a teenager.
One Instagram account with millions of followers posted: “This Justin Bieber performance healed something in me.”
That healing language is intentional for Bieber — it mirrors how he talks about his faith. In interviews, he has repeatedly said Jesus didn’t just save his career; He saved his life. The worship set at Coachella wasn’t a gimmick. It was a confession.
The Bigger Picture
Love it or hate it, Bieber’s Coachella set is the most talked-about moment from Weekend One — more than Karol G making history as the first Latina to headline the festival, more than Sabrina Carpenter’s spectacle.
That’s not an accident.
In an era where every headliner tries to out-produce the last one, Bieber walked out with a laptop, a stool, and his faith — and made it personal. For millions of fans watching, the worship songs weren’t filler. They were the point.
Whether you call it lazy or legendary, one thing is clear: Justin Bieber isn’t performing for the critics anymore. He’s performing for an audience of One — and the rest of us just happened to be there.
Drop your take in the comments — was Bieber’s Coachella set lazy, legendary, or something even bigger?
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