Why Did VPR’s Lala Kent Part With Assistant Jessica Walter? Us Explains

Vanderpump Rules is off the air but the drama continues — and this time, Lala Kent and her assistant Jessica Walter are at the center of feud rumors.

Bravo viewers were introduced to Jessica during season 9 of Vanderpump Rules when Kent documented her search for a personal assistant.

“I know what it is like to be the filter because I have always done that for anyone I have been a personal assistant for,” Walter told Kent and then-fiancé Randall Emmett during the December 2021 episode. “You got a lot going on? There’s me and there is you and you can take a breath while it filters through me.”

Kent ultimately hired Walter and the rest was seemingly history. After Kent’s split from Emmett in 2021, Walter continued to work for Kent and even branched out to become her cohost on the “Give Them Lala” podcast.

While Kent and Walter often spoke about maintaining the boss and coworker boundary, the duo quickly got close — even going on vacation together with their families. Walter was also in the delivery room when Kent gave birth to second daughter Sosa in September 2024.

Two months later, Kent shocked “Give Them Lala” listeners when she announced that she parted ways with Walter. Neither Kent nor Walter gave an explanation about what happened, which caused Vanderpump Rules fans to speculate wildly.

The shift also came after Kent found herself at odds with several of her costars, including Ariana Madix, Katie Maloney and Kristen Doute earlier that year. She also briefly had issues with Brittany Cartwright but the pair were able to work it out.

“I burned a lot of bridges,” Kent joked on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen in November 2024 after confirming she wasn’t in touch with most of her Vanderpump Rules costars.

Keep scrolling as Us explains why Vanderpump Rules fans think there is ongoing tension between Kent and Walter:

The Key Players

Kent rose to stardom after joining Vanderpump Rules in 2015. Walter, who previously worked as digital producer for American Idol, became a prominent member of Kent’s inner circle in 2021. She was a consistent cohost on Kent’s “Give Them Lala” podcast alongside Kent’s brother Easton Burningham and mom Lisa Burningham beginning in 2022.

The Gist

During Kent and Walter’s first meeting — which was documented for Vanderpump Rules — they declared they were a perfect match based on their zodiac signs. Their bond lasted for three years until Kent announced at the end of a November 2024 podcast episode that her “ache and relief of the week” was Walter’s unexpected departure.

“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,” Kent revealed at the time. “My relief is that she’s going to spread her wings.”

Kent wished Walter luck with her upcoming endeavors, adding, “I love her more than anything, and I’m so excited to see what she’s going to do in her future.”

Easton weighed in on the news as well. “She was family, but I want her to go and be successful in all the things she’s wanting in life,” he noted. “And I’m excited to see her shine and do all the things she’s wanting to do.”

Walter didn’t address the news immediately, but when she did, it was coy. Shortly after the episode dropped, Walter shared an IG post and wrote, “One foot in front of the other, y’all.”

Why It’s a Big Deal

Vanderpump Rules fans are fixated on the current workings of Kent’s inner circle as she burns bridges with several of her costars.

AndWalter sparked new feud speculation when she “liked” a comment that read, “This was handled so poorly. Not your fault but we listen to a pod with the three of you on the reg and have no answers. No send off or anything.”

Walter elaborated in an Instagram video later that month.

“Of course, I would have said goodbye to you guys if I were given the opportunity. Of course,” she said. “I would want to say how much I love and appreciate just connecting with all of you. So, I’ll say that now. Right now, on behalf of my position on the ‘Give Them Lala’ podcast, goodbye. And I love every single one of you. I hope we stay connected. That is all I will say for now.”

What People Are Saying

Based on the response to Kent and Walter’s recent social media posts — that don’t acknowledge the drama — fans are confused and unhappy.

“I’m a die-hard Lala fan but [Give Them Lala] is not the same without Jess, especially when we have no idea what happened,” wrote one fan while another added, “You have to [address] why Jess is not on the pod anymore!. Your pod has lost its heart and soul without a mention of why.. At least your listeners deserve to get [an] answer .. And Jess deserves a proper exit with a standing ovation.”

Many speculated that there was tension between Kent and Walter. Others, however, thought Walter got a new job opportunity, which might have led to a swift exit. Then there were followers questioning whether Kent chose to let Walter go because she didn’t need an assistant while Vanderpump Rules is on hiatus after season 11.

“Jess clearly did or said something that didn’t fit ‘the pod’ mentality,” read a comment directed at Kent. “It’s clear in Jess’s stories that she’s very hurt by her quick and sharp exit considering she was considered family.”

Kent has continued to engage in the comments section by promoting her podcast and highlighting her brother and mom’s presence as cohosts — and ignoring comments about Walker.

What We’re Saying

Us is waiting for Kent to address the speculation head-on and was surprised she didn’t do so on WWHL as fans flooded the social media account for the show with questions about Walter.

What’s Next

Fans are keeping an eye on Walter’s social media after she hinted multiple times at a potential podcast of her own. On two separate occasions, Walter shared videos of her sitting in front of new recording equipment in an unfamiliar studio but she hasn’t provided any context yet. Kent, for her part, has continued to host “Give Them Lala” without Walter.