Lala Kent arrived on Andy Cohen's Vanderpump Rules during its fourth season and has since stolen all headlines surrounding the show.


Young (aged just 27) , pretty and flirty, she was the perfect addition to a show caught up in the drama of a busy L.A restaurant. Assimiliating well with the cast and story lines, between love interests and faux-friendships, as reality TV stars go, she's someone that is sure to keep you watching.

And while it may be easy to judge those on the show for antics and drama, it's off camera that you perhaps get a better glimpse of the person on television. Kent is currently using her platform (which includes a whopping 470k Instagram following) to help causes close to her heart. She launched an initiative with her Pump colleagues Scheana Marie and Ariana Medix to free the orcas from SeaWorld to critical acclaim. The ladies will work in conjunction with PETA and other celebrities to garner support for the release of the orcas into a seaside sanctuary. "When I saw the documentary Blackfish it literally changed my entire life," says Kent in the promotional video for the campaign.

Lala Kent sat down with SWAAY to answer some of our pressing questions regarding reality television, social media and music. The star got candid on the realities of life behind the camera of Vanderpump Rules which you can currently binge on Hulu.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Salt Lake City, but I wasn't raised in a religious home— that was weird for a family in Utah to not participate in the main religion. I had all the freedom in the world, grew up in an open family. Nothing was off limits to discuss. My mom and dad started prepping me at a young age to become whatever my heart desired. Still to this day they think I could be president if I “really wanted to be". Pretty silly, but cute.

How were you approached for Vanderpump?

It was super organic. I have been eating at Sur for ten years. When Lisa saw me interacting with some of the bartenders and waitresses, she approached my best friend who worked at Sur at the time, got my contact info, and here we are, going on three seasons later.

What is the reality of reality tv? Are you portrayed fairly?

I believe everyone is portrayed fairly. Everything that is seen on our show is real. I think, we, as Vanderpump Rules cast members, pride ourselves on the authenticity of our show.

What is the shooting experience like and how often are they filming you?

As hectic as our film schedule is and has hard as it is to talk about our real lives, shooting is so much fun. We film every single week usually every day. It's a long process, but pretty therapeutic at times.

Do they give you advance notice or is it spontaneous? How real are the relationships, are they exaggerated?

They always let us know beforehand what to expect for the week- because it is all real and we are living out our lives free of a script. Nothing is ever set in stone, things change quickly. Everything from the loving, the fight, the relationships, they are all genuine.

Do you look at it as a favorable experience?

Overall, yes. It has taught me so much and helped me grow into a person who wasn't just raised by her family and living by the book. Not only have opportunities come from it, but I've gained knowledge and perspective as well.

Is reality tv empowering as a woman?

I think being a woman, in general, is empowering. Whether you're a movie star, reality personality, model, waitress, flipping burgers, I don't care. I am living for women these days and what we bring to the table in any atmosphere. Such an incredible time for my chicks!

Lala Kent

Lala Kent

What's your relationship with social media?

It's love-hate. I become obsessed with it, then I want to delete it. Once I learned to turn comments off on certain photos, avoid DM's, and laugh at mean comments I see, I started losing my bitterness towards the Gram.

On the show why do you think people are so intrigued by you?

I'm that chick that just keeps it real. I work through my issues, but I'm also a hothead. I think people with colorful language, a “don't fuck with me" attitude, and a soft heart are intriguing... I think I have that quality. I'm the chick you wanna watch but are grateful you don't have to live in my head!

What was your favorite/worst day of filming?

The worst day of filming would have to be all of the season. I was all alone and feeling very weak. Best days are always when I get to work on music and create that artistic atmosphere. It's like nothing else.


WRITTEN BY

Amy Corcoran