BEHIND THE VELVET ROPE

Bethenny Films RHONY, Amanda Batula's Cancellation & Teresa's Warning/ Threat To Bloggers

38 min
Apr 12, 20266 days ago
Listen to Episode
Summary

Host David discusses Amanda Batula's brand deal losses following recent controversies, analyzes the social media follower dynamics of those involved, and clarifies that Bethenny Frankel is filming a secret brand project in Paris with Ramona and Sonya, not a new RHONY season. The episode also covers Teresa Judice's warning to bloggers about criticizing her, Melissa, and Joe.

Insights
  • Cancel culture is less permanent than perceived—past 'canceled' figures like Kristen and Stasi have returned to networks or found new platforms, suggesting brand reputation recovery is possible
  • Personal brand positioning directly impacts vulnerability to controversy; Amanda's 'relatable girl next door' brand made her more susceptible to backlash than personalities built on authenticity without wholesomeness
  • Influencer follower counts are volatile and often misleading metrics; some cast members gained 80,000-100,000 followers during the controversy while Amanda's losses were minimal, suggesting engagement quality matters more than quantity
  • Reality TV talent leverage is asymmetrical; Bethenny negotiated significantly higher compensation than supporting cast members (estimated 10x more) for the same project
  • Social media enforcement of celebrity demands (unfollowing, blocking) has limited practical impact on content creators whose job is critical analysis
Trends
Post-breakup brand momentum for reality TV personalities is a measurable, monetizable trend with documented 'glow-up' trajectoriesMicro-controversies in reality TV generate measurable social media volatility with winners and losers in follower gains/losses within 24-48 hoursCelebrity-driven content moderation and influencer loyalty demands are becoming explicit contractual or public expectationsSecret brand projects and commercial deals are increasingly filmed with reality TV talent as cost-effective alternatives to traditional advertisingReality TV franchise stability depends on cast chemistry and organic conflict rather than individual star power or network loyalty
Companies
Bravo
Network that produces Real Housewives franchises discussed throughout episode including RHONY and RHONJ
Hulu
Streaming platform where Stasi relocated after being kicked off Bravo network
Paddy Power Games
Gambling/gaming brand with mid-roll advertisement featuring sports and gaming content
Noom
GLP-1 weight loss medication service advertised with microdose program and $79 starting price
Quince
Fashion/apparel brand offering European linen clothing with 50-60% lower prices than competitors
British Gas
Energy utility company advertising peak save electricity program with half-price rates
Daughtry
Music artist with new single 'Antidote' featured in episode opening
People
David
Primary host and narrator analyzing reality TV industry trends and celebrity controversies
Amanda Batula
Central figure in episode discussing brand deal losses and cancellation following recent controversy
Bethenny Frankel
Filming secret brand project in Paris with Ramona and Sonya; negotiated significantly higher compensation
Kyle Cook
Amanda's ex-partner; gained approximately 50,000 followers during controversy; handling situation well
Teresa Judice
Issued public warning to bloggers about criticizing her, Melissa, and Joe; maintains podcast consistency
Melissa Gorga
Subject of Teresa's blogger warning; united front with Teresa; selling sprinkle cookies brand
Ramona Singer
Filming secret brand project in Paris with Bethenny and Sonya; described as entertaining and harmless
Sonya Morgan
Filming secret brand project in Paris with Bethenny and Ramona; financially motivated participation
Sierra
Gained 80,000-100,000 Instagram followers during Amanda Batula controversy; discovered relationship via video
Ariana
Referenced as the true winner of post-breakup glow-up trajectory among reality TV personalities
Paige
Identified as very close second to Ariana in successful post-breakup brand momentum and glow-up
Dolores
Shaded New Jersey franchise; praised Rhode Island cast for being real and having organic chemistry
Kristen
Example of cancel culture impermanence; kicked off network then returned; demonstrates career recovery
Stasi
Kicked off Bravo network but found new opportunity at Hulu with own show; cancel culture recovery example
Mel Gibson
Referenced as historical example of canceled figure who recovered and is now fine professionally
Joe Gorga
Subject of Teresa's blogger warning; never blocked host; united front with Teresa and Melissa
Jill
Made up with Bethenny but perceived as involving too many steps; not chosen for Paris project
Kelly Bensimon
Bethenny reportedly hates her; not chosen for Paris brand project despite past connection
Luann de Lesseps
Had conflict with Bethenny over viral photo posting; not chosen for Paris brand project
Bryn
Wanted picture with Luann that became viral moment; Bethenny posted without heads-up causing conflict
Quotes
"I don't really believe in cancel culture. I don't think Amanda is like, this is it the end for her."
DavidEarly in episode
"When you make your entire brand about being the relatable girl next door, yes, everything is hyper sensitive. Everything is hyper scrutinized."
DavidMid-episode discussing Amanda's brand vulnerability
"Thank God above that my brand is truly from the bottom of my heart, not giving one rats a fuck, like not one rats fuck."
DavidDiscussing personal brand positioning
"If I'm loving this blogger and I follow them and this blogger loves me and we're in tight and you speak bad about Melissa and you speak bad about Joe, I'm unfollowing you."
Teresa JudiceWarning to bloggers on her podcast
"Bethany wants the two sub bitches that will be there and bring the ratings or whatever to this commercial."
DavidDiscussing Bethenny's casting choices for Paris project
Full Transcript
This is the powerful new single from Daughtry. It's called Antidote. Listen up. That means you. Yes, you. We know you're pointing at yourself. When it comes to Paddy Power games, we've got a place made for all sorts. From the experts to the drama queens. It's made the JC. The finance bros. Look at those stocks lads. We'll stick with slots. It's what we're good at. And not forgetting you. Yes, you, the one listening. Because at Paddy Power games, we've got all sorts of games for all sorts of trickles. eligibility rules and terms of conditions apply. Please come by responsibly. ATEMPLUS, Camila Ware, dot org. Hey, everyone. This is David. It's just a quick hit. So I'm traveling. This is the microphone. If it's a little bit of echoing, there is nothing I can do. We can skip a bunch of episodes, but nobody wants that. Hi. Hi. Hi. Everyone watching on YouTube. You see this lovely shark behind me. This is the background I put out when I'm traveling and I don't want to reveal where I am. We got a couple of things. I just want to jump on here just very quickly. It's not like anything major because, you know, I do try to like dip out of all of this, although it's impossible. You know, here's my question. You know, all this bullshit out of Amanda Batula being canceled. I mean, it is she. I mean, it seems like she's had a lot of setbacks. Look, I don't think anybody's canceled, right? Kristen was kicked off the network. Stasi was kicked off the network. Stasi's at Hulu and has her own show. Kristen's back on the network. Nobody's canceled. I mean, Jack's Taylor might be canceled at the moment. Member Mel Gibson was canceled back in the day and now he's just fine. So I don't really believe in cancel culture. I don't think Amanda is like, this is it the end for her. Having said that, it's a shame that she has lost, you know, there are repercussions. Look, there are repercussions to your actions. And it's so funny. I saw a brand expert. First of all, I'm shocked, Bethany Frankel hasn't waited on this and brand deals and all of that. She's waiting on some other stuff with Kyle Cook. And she's waiting on a situation where she said to consenting adults, just let them be. What's the big fucking deal? But I'm shocked she hasn't waited on the brand deals of it all. And you know, I hate to make this about myself at the top of the show. But it's funny that I saw this write up from a brand expert that said, you know, when you make your entire brand about being the relatable girl next door, which is what they're saying Amanda's brand was, right? She wasn't, she wasn't, you know, I don't know, the diva, she wasn't this she was just like the relatable every girl next door. That was her brand. And they say, when you make that your brand, yes, everything is hyper sensitive. Everything is hyper scrutinized because your brand is being, you know, the wholesome girl next door. And I just was sitting there thinking like, thank God above that my brand is truly from the bottom of my heart, not giving one rats a fuck, like not one rats fuck. Thank God that that's my brand. So that nobody will say that I'm off brand when I do something stupid. Because let me tell you something. We've all done something in our past, I'm sure that we could all be quote, canceled for. So but I don't know, like she lost the brand deal, she had a brand deal with that fashion cannabis line, she lost that. And you know, Kyle Cook is saying, and by the way, this story is changing every three seconds. So this is just like a little summary over the past two weeks. You know, Kyle says, let's worry about her. West has gained 50,000 followers, but she has lost followers. I actually believe it or not took a minute and did a thing on first of all, who the fuck cares about followers unless you're monetizing yet. Sierra was just so you know, last week, last week on Thursday, Sierra first, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, everybody. When this whole thing started, like right when the grumbling started, see, I'm going just day by day from 327 to 42. Sierra gained 7000 on Instagram. I'm just giving you approximants. Then 4,000 on Tuesday, 3 31, when all this was grumbling about to break and broke, she got 80,000 extra followers on Instagram on Wednesday, April 1st, which was really, if you remember a day in the thick of it, she got 100,000 extra followers. And the next day, she got 41 extra, 41,000 extra followers. So Sierra has gone way up from this. West has gone up, like Kyle says, he's gained about 50,000 followers. Amanda hasn't lost crazy. She lost like three, four, five, six. She lost like 6,000, but she gained 6,000. So she's kind of the net and Kyle Cook has gone up maybe like 20,000, probably just because I mean, he's handling this really well. So although someone said like Amanda's brand deals were probably worth like 100,000 that she has a six figure minimum, which I don't know if I believe that. And then people are saying, no wonder why Kyle is being so nice to her. And no wonder why she's saying, I don't want a piece of lover boy, that boy has been married more to lover boy than me. He can have it. It's because she really is the breadwinner making the money and the family. So there you go with all of that. So is she canceled? She has lost the brand deals. It's such a shame to me because she was really on track for that post break up page disorbo glow up, right? Nobody's had it more than Ariana. She's the true winner of it. Paige, I guess is a very, very close second. And Amanda was on that track. I've seen her with more brand deals since she's been doing more commercials. She just did a commercial for Sonic or something before. So she really was on track to really need not be an Ariana or a page, but she was getting up there. It's just there were so many things in her purview. So to me, it is like a fall from grace. I don't know if she's canceled, but are you're at campaigns lighting up the dashboard, but not the pipeline. That's bull spend. And marketers are calling it out in dashboard confessions. My boss asked for results. So we opened my dashboard for the only positive sounding metric I had. Impressions. If you're regular folk or furry and blue 11 till four, let the good times begin. You could charge up the car or take the dryer for a spin. Half price electricity. What joy that brings with British gas peak save. We're taking care of things. T's and C's apply eligible tariffs and smart meter required. You guys remember all the problems I had when I started my GLP one journey. Can you imagine if Newman been around at that time with a new and it's so easy to start the weight loss shots. Remember how sick I was when I started mine? Newman changes that because they have a microdose program. Noom starts you on a smaller dose than a standard GLP one program. And then you gradually scale up depending upon how your body reacts. That's why new makes starting the GLP one so easy. But that doesn't mean that you don't lose weight. In fact, new found that users lose on average eight pounds and 30 days on their microdose protocol. That's based on an analysis of self reported data from 1254 engage new users. So with the new microdose program, you can lose weight and feel good while doing so. The new GLP one microdose program starts at $79 and is delivered to your door in seven days. Start your microdose GLP one journey today at new.com. That's N O O M dot com new. The easy way to start a GLP one medication new. Um, GLP one RX program involves healthy diet, exercise and support individual results vary meds and personalization based on clinical need, not reviewed by FDA for safety, efficacy or quality not available in all 50 states. I mean, the thing about these companies is you could touch Amanda right now or Sarah, you could touch Sarah or page, you could touch page or I don't know, uh, Sally from it's like, if there's any reason not to touch you, they'll just go to someone else. It really doesn't matter. You know, there is this interesting article I read, which was in, I guess Sunday morning social. I honestly don't know what that is with no shade, but I really thought it was an interesting article. I don't know if this is like on a sub stack. It says everyone wants an Amanda, but too like to win the most relatable girl on Bravo. This is just what I said. That was Amanda's bram. She wasn't the dramatic one. She wasn't the messy one. She was she was the chill girl next door built on loyalty, authenticity, um, and being, uh, I won't be in town. Fucker. I'm away. Sorry. Sunday or forget it. I said no. Sorry. People don't fucking read. Sorry, you guys. Um, sorry. Just, you know, I'm sorry. People just fucking learn to read. I'm not there. Um, the answer is no Sunday or no show. Okay. Sorry. So this is what I just said. She was fresh off a divorce. Sorry. I'm so sorry. I had to do that. Everyone was watching. This is the problem of reading an article on there. I'm the things are popping up here. Brands were calling. Yes. She launched her own swimline. Yes. She was finding her independence. She had that page disorbo post breakup glow of energy. This is pretty much what I was just saying. The research, it's era, the potential to completely flourish. And then, you know, it talks about all the rumors and, you know, I just went into the whole Instagram things. Um, you know, fans are not just disappointed. They feel they were rooting for a version of Amanda that wasn't the reality. And that's where the damage comes in. So this article, it's interesting. It basically says exactly everything I just said, you know, they don't have to be on reality TV for this to apply to you. No shit. Every founder, creator, person, you know, blah, blah, blah. So I agree. So I don't think she's canceled. Like people are saying, but yeah, I don't, I think she is losing brand and not really losing, but she got paid for a bunch of brand deals. She really was doing like A-list brand deals ever since this whole thing with Kyle and Kyle was kind of the one that's walking by you and saying, fuck you. And so I don't know. I'm spending way too much time on this, but my point is, yes, she's canceled and no, and yes, there's a million other things we have to talk about. Like, I mean, Sierra found out that video where they kissed in the window and they were across the street and they were kissing across the street and someone took it. That's how Sierra found out. She saw the video. What a horrible way to find out, which does make falling to the ground. I don't know what the your point was, but anyway, there you go. Moving along. So we'll talk about so much more with Jesse Solomon is speaking. Everyone's, this is a mess. And I'm also kind of sick of it, but I'm also kind of obsessed. Teresa, believe it or not, our friend Teresa Judice, if you can believe this, has issued a warning to bloggers, a warning from Teresa. Well, Teresa, on her own podcast, someone the other day said, what happened to Teresa's podcast? And I said, what are you talking about? So her podcast, I mean, I don't deep dive these things, but her podcast, I believe, has never like, you know, it's there. It has not missed like weeks of an episode. The last episode was more, she's pretty consistent everyone. So I don't know what this person was talking about. I put it down. I'm like, oh my God, I'm going to add this to the topic. Teresa's podcast has gone, and then I looked and I'm like, it's right here. What's the problem people? And the latest episode last week, or there was one this week, but the last week she was saying, she talked about being back on Jersey. This is what people want to hear about. And, you know, she said, oh, there's a warning to bloggers, you know, because there is some talk now about it on. She said, that's it. Anybody that she is following, if you say, team Teresa, why is the sill back? Fuck, Melissa, she didn't do anything. She's just there. You know, she's on your coattails. She never should have come on the show. She said, if I'm loving this blogger and I follow them and this blogger loves me and we're in tight and you speak bad about Melissa and you speak bad about Joe, I'm unfollowing you a warning to bloggers and podcasters. Now she said, Melissa, Melissa's not here. She's out in, you know, New York selling the sprinkle cookies, but let me make it very clear. Melissa is a united front with me. Any blogger she loves podcasts, she loves things she's doing, interview anybody that says something bad about me, Melissa and Joe are going to unfollow. Oh my God, I am so happy that the warmer weather is finally upon us. I spent the weekend cleaning out my closet, it's making room for all my spring stuff because I love an organized closet and I hate clutter and that's why I love quints. Quints make such high quality everyday essentials and I can get so many different types of wares out of the same pieces. I just stacked up on their European linen pants. They fit so well. They come in so many different colors. My favorite is this cool chambray blue. I got a matching shirt. I got them in basically every color they have. There's black, olive. The fabric is so lightweight. It's breathable. It's comfortable and I love that I could wear them to like a fancy or dinner, but they're also really cool for like hanging out on a casual Saturday. And the best thing about quints is that their prices are 50 to 60% less than similar brands. And I have stuff in my closet from Quints from a few seasons ago. The stuff is still in style and it's still in great shape. So refresh your wardrobe with quints. Go to quints.com slash velvet rope for free shipping and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. Go to QINCE dot com slash velvet rope for free shipping and 365 day returns quints.com slash velvet rope. Well, I appreciate the, I appreciate the, you know, threats to Risa. I personally have absolutely nothing against Risa and I have absolutely nothing against Melissa. I have said this before. I would rather you guys have things against them. I would rather watch a friendly United Melissa and Teresa. That is so much more interesting to me than watching them feud. We have watched them feud for 10 fucking years. So I find it the social dynamics of life. I am a Gemini. I, people say I'm a flip flopper. I am a flip flopper. Not even every week. I am a flip flopper every hour. They say the Zodiac. How long does it take Taurus to get over something? What? We're not over it. Gemini, which is me. How does it take a Gemini to get over something? They say like, what are you talking about? Gemini's get over things in 30 seconds. So if I have a problem with you and I tell you to go fuck yourself and go play in traffic an hour later, if you want to talk about this, if you want to call me, if you want to have an emotional moment with me, what the fuck move on. I am over it. That was an hour ago. I'm too busy. I don't want to deal with that drama. I'm over it. I'm not mad. So the point is, I don't even know what my fucking point was. My point was I'd rather see a United and Melissa and Teresa. So I'm all for this. However, Teresa, your little warning, which I don't know if you're going to be able to put this into play because, well, first of all, I don't know what unfollowing is going to do. I told you the other day, I was just scrolling. It said, Debbie Gibson, follow that. Excuse me, Debbie Gibson follows me. Now that makes me happy, but I really, I'm joking, but I don't care like who follows me. I mean, I don't know how this is a threat. So you can unfollow that person to reset. And so could Melissa and I, well, a lot of people care about this shit, but most people's life will go just on and you can also block them. I was blocked by Melissa at one point, unblocked by Melissa Gorgha. Hi, Melissa Gorgha. By the way, your husband Joe never blocked me. And by the way, Melissa, you only blocked me because your fucking sidekick Marge the Sarge with a roast beef shit told you to block me. So thank you for thinking on your own and unblocking me, Miss Gorgha. Now I could see all about your sprinkle cookies. But so I don't know if this is really going to be enforceable, Teresa. I don't think you block everyone. And you know, bloggers and people, they, our job is to look at the show critically and weed through the bullshit for the fans. So I don't know if that's going to happen. I hope she just means if you're coming low, I've really never gone low. Although I guess I got kind of low with Melissa and I guess I got kind of low with Teresa. So guilty as charged, but it's really nothing personal. So that is Teresa's warning. And I think kind of a threat to bloggers, but I find this interesting. The new cast rumor, it's not the rumor, it is two sisters are going to be on it. And I think that's going to be interesting. The two sisters, I checked them out on Instagram, we talked about this already like last week, I checked them out on Instagram, it seems they're super close and they get to, they get along. So I think that's interesting if they're like, wow, look at these two sisters getting along. Imagine if that was us. But I also think if they start to have problems, I think it's interesting if Teresa and Melissa say like, listen, nip it in the bod, you don't want this to be 10 years. I think it's interesting if Dolores like weighs in on that. So I actually hope the drama is between the newbies and these three more seasoned ladies don't get involved in it. I actually find this way more interesting to be completely honest with you than if Teresa and Melissa ever fight again. So thanks for the warning. Thanks for the threat, Teresa. Teresa, I wish you guys the best of luck and I don't want you guys to fight. I love it. And finally, Bethany films, Rony, that was the headline heard around the world last week and everybody, you know, because people, someone this morning, sucked into my DMs, you know, this is the thing, a lot of you are so plugged into the news and, you know, you're like, everyone already knows that, but no, they don't, that's the thing. A lot of people don't. So I just want to say this for the people in the back of the room. Bethany is not filming the new Rony. Someone actually said this to me this morning and someone said it to me like two days ago, even though this happened last week. And by the way, I understand why. So Bethany was in Paris filming this. Look, she posted, they all posted a few weeks ago that she ran into Ramona and Palm Beach. So she says, and then she ran into Sonia. And the interesting thing was that she got a brand deal and someone said, pick two other Rony to do this with. And obviously she's not going to pick. I mean, I don't know why she doesn't like Jill better because Jill likes her and they made up. But I think she thinks Jill just involves a lot of different steps. Now I love Jill. So I'm not saying that she's not going to involve Kelly Benson, because she fucking hates Kelly. She could have involved Luanne. They had that thing last summer in the Hamptons where they ran into each other at the party with Luanne's boyfriend. And who is going to be on the show, by the way, who we've known about for years in Sac Harbor. I mean, he lives not in Sac Harbor, the town over, not years, but a long time before it happened. But the point is Luanne and I read that thing and then Bryn wanted a quote unquote picture with Luanne and then Bethany posted it and Luanne got mad because it was a viral moment. And she's like, at least give me a heads up and let me post it myself. Case in point. Now we're fighting over who posts things. So people do care. So she's not really, look, let's be very honest. Bethany wants the two sub bitches that will be there and bring the ratings or whatever to this commercial or whatever the fuck it's going to be. But let's our mini seer. I don't know what it is, but let's face it. Sonya will do anything because she needs a paycheck. It's no shade. Sonya needs the money. And Ramona is humorous and entertaining and harmless. I've always said this. Put Ramona next to Sonya or Durinda and she is a harmless little puppy dog. She just makes a lot of mistakes when she opens her mouth. But so I understand why she chose Sonya and why she chose Ramona. I guarantee you Ramona and Sonya are paid the same amount of money and whatever that is, say a hundred thousand, I'm just making up a number. It could be way less or way more. Bethany is making probably 10 times that much, right? We know that, right? She chose them, but she put in her contract must make 10 times as much as Sonya Ramona, I'm sure. So they're in Paris, they're walking. I have to say everyone looks fucking great. I mean, Ramona's singer on the verge of being 70 years old, holy shit. And they were in great spirits, chatting it up, strolling like no time has passed. Everybody said she's filming the golden life. Someone just this morning said that. This happened last week. I assume everyone knows that, but if you don't, this was not for the golden life. It's for a quote secret project. She did hit when she was in Palm Beach that she has a brand deal and she has chosen these two people to do it with her. Ramona and Sonya. I assume this is the brand deal. I assume it's a commercial. Hey, you got a free trip to Paris. Sonya, she, she, she. And Ramona had to leave Palm Beach for this. And sources are that they're working on something very under wraps and it's a secret project and blah, blah, blah. By now, you might have heard of what it is. We can get into that another time. But I just want to say that, so that's happened. The secret project is revealed, but that's, it's not Roni. Okay. So everybody just calm down. She's not coming to Roni. She'll never come to Roni, et cetera, et cetera. And what else can I say? Still loving Rhode Island. I'm really liking Rhode Island. It's strong. It's good. I think that it is going to be something that we love. People and characters are already defined. And like we're only on episode two. Yes. Episode two. So we will be recapping it on our Patreon. We'll be having other people on. We do other things on Patreon, but I think that's the perfect, perfect place to recap it. And I like it so far. And I mean, I'm not even comparing it to Salt Lake, but it is an interesting cast. And I totally see why they do this Dolores shaded New Jersey. She said it was nice to get away and just be with people that are real. I mean, and like, like, first of all, these girls are having fights too, but it's all organic. And I love the chemistry. And look, again, Salt Lake did not get green lit because of Salt Lake. It got green lit because of this cast of fucking off the wall crazies. Same thing. Love Rhode Island. But that's not why it was green lit. Someone said this group is actually real chemistry. So watch it if you haven't, I still liking ladies of London and the Valley, it ain't there for me, people. I love Kristen, Tony, the Valley ain't it says have a good day. There are just a few little topics that were keeping me up last night. I'm riled up. Have a great day. Bye.