Why Did VPR’s Lala Kent Partner With Assistant Jessica Walter?

Vanderpump Rules you’re not on the air but the drama continues – and this time, Lala Kent and her assistant Jessica Walter are amid rumors of a dispute.

Bravo viewers were introduced to Jessica in season 9 Vanderpump Rules when Kent writes about his search for a personal assistant.

“I know what it’s like to be a filter because I’ve always done it for whoever I was helping,” Walter told Kent, who was his fiancee at the time. Randall Emmett during the December 2021 episode. “Do you have a lot to do? There’s me and there’s you and you can take a breath while it filters through me.”

Kent eventually hired Walter and the rest seemed to be history. After Kent and Emmett broke up in 2021, Walter continued to work for Kent and even joined him to be his partner on the “Give Them Lala” podcast.

While Kent and Walter often talk about keeping a boundary between their boss and their colleagues, the two quickly bond — even going on vacation 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 he announced that he had split from Walter. Neither Kent nor Walter gave an explanation for what happened, what caused it Vanderpump Rules fans guess wrong.

The change came after Kent found himself opposed to many of his expenses, incl Ariana Madix, Katie Maloney again Kristen Doute earlier that year. He also had problems for a while Brittany Cartwright but these two managed to fix it.

“I’ve burned a lot of bridges,” Kent joked Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen in November 2024 after confirming that he was not in touch with his majority Vanderpump Rules costars.

Keep scrolling as We explain why Vanderpump Rules fans think there is an ongoing rift between Kent and Walter:

Key Players

Kent just went from strength to strength after joining Vanderpump Rules in 2015. Walter, who previously worked as a digital producer American Idolbecame a key member of Kent’s indoor team in 2021. He was a regular host of Kent’s “Give Them Lala” podcast along with Kent’s brother. Easton Burningham and mother Lisa Burningham from 2022.

An idea

During Kent’s first meeting with Walter – which was written Vanderpump Rules – announced that they are a perfect match based on their star signs. Their bond lasted three years until Kent announced at the end of a November 2024 podcast episode that “his pain and relief for the week” was Walter’s unexpected departure.

“My heartache is that my ride or my death, Jessica, will no longer work for me, and will no longer be on the podcast,” Kent said at the time. “My relief is that he will spread his wings.”

Kent wished Walter the best of luck in his future endeavors, adding, “I love him more than anything, and I’m really excited to see what he does with his future.”

Easton also weighed in on the news. “He was family, but I want him to go and succeed in all the things he wants in life,” he said. “And I’m happy to see him shine and do all the things he wants to do.”

Walter didn’t talk about the news right away, but when he did, he got angry. 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 focus on the current performance of Kent’s inner circle as he burns bridges with his several collars.

AndWalter sparked new speculation when he “liked” the lyrics, “This was not handled very well. It’s not your fault but we listen to the pod you three on the reg and we have no answers. No need to get fired or anything.”

Walter explained in an Instagram video later that month.

“Of course, I would have said goodbye to you guys if I had been given the chance, of course,” he said. “I’d like to say how much I love and appreciate just connecting with you all. So, I’m going to say that now. Right now, on behalf of my position on the ‘Baphe Lala’ podcast, goodbye. And I love you all. I hope we stay connected. That’s all I’ll say for now.”

What People Say

Based on the response to Kent and Walter’s recent social media posts – which do not acknowledge the drama – fans are confused and unhappy.

“I am a strong fan of Lala, though [Give Them Lala] it’s not the same without Jess, especially when we don’t know what happened,” one fan wrote while another added, “It should [address] why isn’t Jess in the pod anymore!. Your pod has lost its heart and soul without saying why.. At least your listeners deserve it [an] answer .. And Jess deserves a proper exit with congratulations.”

Many thought that there was a rift between Kent and Walter. Others, however, think that Walter has found a new career opportunity, which may have led to an early exit. Then there were fans who asked if Kent chose to let Walter go because he didn’t need an assistant at the time Vanderpump Rules it stops after season 11.

“Jess did or said something that didn’t make ‘sense’,” read a comment directed at Kent. “It’s clear from Jess’ stories that she was deeply hurt by his quick and sharp exit considering that she was considered family.”

Kent continued to engage in the comments section by promoting his podcast and highlighting the presence of his brother and mother as contributors — and ignoring comments about Walker.

What we mean

Us waited for Kent to address the speculation and was surprised he didn’t do so on WWHL as fans flooded the show’s social media accounts with questions about Walter.

What’s Next

Fans took to Walter’s social media after several comments on his podcast. On two separate occasions, Walter has shared videos of himself sitting in front of new recording equipment in a studio he doesn’t know about but hasn’t given any context yet. Kent continued to present the show “Give Them Lala” without Walter.

In December 2024, Kent broke his silence about Walter’s sudden departure.

“It’s really weird because it’s like, ‘Where were you when you were on the podcast?’ It is nowhere to be found. All I heard was, ‘Take him away.’ At the end of the day, he was my employee,” Kent said on the “Not Skinny But Not Fat” podcast. “He wanted to get on with his life, and I would be like a crazy person who would say, ‘Go and achieve everything you want to achieve.’ I don’t know how to end this thing.”

Kent clarified that he has no plans for Walter to explain his exit on the “Give Them Lala” podcast.

“At the end of the day, you were employed by Lala Kent. You are no longer employed. I wish you the best. Have a good life,” he added. “I have learned a lot from the many relationships in my life since I married him, from some of the friends I had, and from the employees I had.” Everything I’ve been through in the last two or three years, I’ve learned something from.

One month later, Walter spoke on his new podcast “My Date,” adding, “The first thing I’ll say is no, I didn’t expect to leave at all. That wasn’t the plan. To be honest, I thought I was going to be at that last job forever. I was like I was ready to be a lifer. Maybe not in the role I was in, but I was going to work for the company.”

He continued: “I was investing in a future that I thought we were all in together. Actually, what happened was I said how I felt about the way some things were handled, and the response I got to that, in my opinion, was not good. The responses I got, honestly, I was surprised.”

Walter recalls being “heartbroken” by the response, saying, “I found myself in a position where I felt I had no choice but to leave.”

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Kent responded to Walter’s comments later that day, sharing on Amazon Live, “I didn’t know he threw a podcast and no I didn’t listen. I don’t know how you describe me. He and I know how it went down and I’ll always have so much love for him.”

He continued: “He was a big part of my life and we became very close. But at the end of the day, he was my employee first and foremost. He felt like he wasn’t getting what he needed in this job anymore. I encourage anyone who feels that part of their life is no longer working or they can’t make a change. We all have that right and it feels like all his podcasts came out.”

Kent revisited the conflict in May 2026, sharing on his podcast, “I really wanted to give him all those things, but time didn’t allow. If he could have continued for another eight months to a year … I’m not kidding you. It would have been very different. But the thing is that he wanted to go. I love him. I miss him a lot to this day. He is one of my favorite people.