Lisa Vanderpump vs. Sarah Paulson: Unpacking the “Not Nice” Feud and Twitter Drama
A seemingly innocuous celebrity encounter has blossomed into a public back-and-forth, captivating fans and reigniting old reality TV feuds. The focal point? A casual meeting between beloved reality television icon Lisa Vanderpump, 59, and acclaimed actress Sarah Paulson, 45. What started as a passing comment by Paulson about Vanderpump not being “that nice” has escalated into a social media showdown, complete with photographic evidence and veiled references to Vanderpump’s past co-stars from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills (RHOBH). This ongoing saga highlights the complexities of celebrity interactions, public perception, and the lasting impact of reality television rivalries.
The latest twist in this unfolding drama saw Lisa Vanderpump take to Twitter on July 14, armed with a charming photo of Sarah Paulson holding her cherished dog, Giggy. The image served as Vanderpump’s primary defense against Paulson’s repeated claims of unkindness, prompting a nuanced and somewhat pointed response that left fans speculating about the true nature of their initial meeting and the underlying tensions that often characterize the world of Hollywood and reality TV.
The Genesis of the Spat: Sarah Paulson’s “Lie Detector Test”
The seeds of this celebrity spat were sown back in October 2019, when Sarah Paulson participated in a revealing “Lie Detector Test” video for Vanity Fair. During the segment, Paulson was directly asked about Lisa Vanderpump’s dramatic departure from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Her response, delivered with a mix of candidness and perhaps a touch of mischief, quickly went viral and set the stage for the ensuing drama.
“I don’t want her coming after me on Twitter, but I won’t miss her,” Paulson stated in the video, addressing Vanderpump’s exit. She elaborated, “I miss the dynamic she brings to the group — which is, you know, the fear of God she instills in everyone. But no, I won’t miss her.” While these comments alone were enough to raise eyebrows among Bravo fans, it was her subsequent recollection of a personal encounter with Vanderpump that truly ignited the firestorm.
“I met her once at a party,” Paulson continued, recalling their brief interaction. “She wasn’t that nice to me. Am I going to get in trouble for that? She wasn’t that nice!” This straightforward declaration, backed by what was presumably a lie detector indicating truthfulness, sent shockwaves through the fan communities of both stars. For many, it provided a glimpse into the often-unseen dynamics of celebrity social gatherings, where perceptions and brief exchanges can leave lasting impressions, sometimes unexpectedly negative ones. Paulson’s comments were interpreted by some as brave honesty, while others viewed them as an unnecessary jab at a figure who had recently endured a difficult period on reality television.
Lisa Vanderpump’s Initial “I Don’t Know Her” Response
True to her characteristic wit and often-sarcastic demeanor, Lisa Vanderpump did not let Sarah Paulson’s initial comments go unaddressed. Following the October 2019 interview, Vanderpump swiftly took to Twitter to deliver a response that harked back to an iconic moment in pop culture. Her tweet read, “I am sorry, not sure I know her and I don’t believe or remember meeting her…I try to be nice to everybody lol.”
This response immediately drew comparisons to Mariah Carey’s famously dismissive “I don’t know her” comment regarding Jennifer Lopez, a phrase that has since become a staple in celebrity feuds and pop culture references. Vanderpump’s tweet, while seemingly polite on the surface, carried an underlying tone of dismissal, implying that Paulson’s claims were either fabricated or simply not memorable enough to warrant Vanderpump’s recollection. This initial reaction served to both downplay Paulson’s accusation and subtly challenge its validity, setting the stage for a prolonged public back-and-forth rather than an immediate resolution. It also showcased Vanderpump’s adeptness at controlling her own narrative, often with a touch of humor and a hint of shade, which her fans have come to adore.
Sarah Paulson Elaborates on Watch What Happens Live
Months later, the “not nice” debate resurfaced with renewed vigor when Sarah Paulson appeared on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen on July 9. The popular Bravo talk show, known for its candid celebrity interviews, provided Paulson with an opportunity to clarify and elaborate on her earlier statements. Paulson, seated opposite host Andy Cohen, 52, offered further context to her initial “lie detector” confession, attempting to explain her rationale and diffuse some of the tension that had built up since October.
“I mean, Andy, it’s that thing where I’m a bit of an idiot in the sense that I was having that lie detector test,” she explained on the show. “They truly strapped everything around me. The guy was sitting there. I somehow felt that if I didn’t answer the question properly I was going to get called out anyway! Listen, bless the fans. Bless the people who have [Vanderpump’s] back. That’s great.” Paulson’s explanation suggested that the pressure of the lie detector test compelled her to be brutally honest, even about a potentially awkward social interaction. She emphasized that her intention wasn’t to launch a personal attack, but simply to state her truth under specific circumstances.
Paulson reiterated her core assertion: “I simply said she wasn’t that nice to me. She wasn’t and that’s OK. It wasn’t a character assassination!” This clarification aimed to temper the perception that she was maliciously attacking Vanderpump, reframing her comments as a simple factual recount of her personal experience. Crucially, Paulson also shared a specific detail about the encounter that would later become central to Vanderpump’s counter-argument: “I was just like, ‘Yeah, I think I probably grabbed the dog out of her hand anyway.’ But I was with other people that I think she liked and she didn’t know who I was. I didn’t expect her to know who I was but I just, you know, she wasn’t that nice.” The mention of holding Lisa’s beloved dog, Giggy, and the suggestion that Vanderpump might not have recognized her, offered a more complete picture of the brief interaction and provided fuel for the next stage of the public disagreement.
Lisa Vanderpump’s Latest Clapback: The Giggy Photo and “Mean Girls” Dig
The July 9 comments by Sarah Paulson on Watch What Happens Live served as the catalyst for Lisa Vanderpump’s most recent and arguably most pointed response. On July 14, Vanderpump took to Twitter, sharing a photograph that directly challenged Paulson’s narrative. The image, which quickly went viral, depicted a smiling Sarah Paulson holding none other than Lisa’s iconic and dearly loved Pomeranian, Giggy.
Apparently @MsSarahPaulson you are in a picture with me holding my precious lil giggy,I rarely let anybody hold him as he is so delicate,you must be friendly with one of those mean girls.
I have no reason to be anything but kind to you. pic.twitter.com/KhdGIGwKgP— Lisa Vanderpump (@LisaVanderpump) July 14, 2020
Vanderpump’s accompanying tweet was meticulously crafted to address Paulson’s claims while simultaneously delivering a subtle, yet unmistakable, jab at her former RHOBH co-stars. “Apparently @MsSarahPaulson you are in a picture with me holding my precious lil giggy,I rarely let anybody hold him as he is so delicate,you must be friendly with one of those mean girls,” her tweet read. The inclusion of the photo served as tangible evidence that not only had they met, but the interaction involved a significant level of trust from Vanderpump – allowing someone to hold Giggy, her famously delicate and cherished canine companion, is a gesture she rarely extends. This detail directly contradicted any implication that Vanderpump was entirely dismissive or aloof during their encounter.
The phrase “you must be friendly with one of those mean girls” was a clear, thinly veiled reference to her estranged former castmates from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. This remark suggested that Paulson’s negative perception of Vanderpump might be influenced by a bias stemming from association with individuals who have had their own well-documented conflicts with Vanderpump. It cleverly shifted the blame, implying that Paulson’s judgment might be clouded by outside influences rather than a purely objective assessment of their brief interaction. Vanderpump concluded her tweet with a direct assertion of her character: “I have no reason to be anything but kind to you.” This statement sought to reaffirm her reputation for politeness and hospitality, challenging the core of Paulson’s “not nice” accusation.
Analyzing the Celebrity Encounter: Perception vs. Reality
The ongoing exchange between Lisa Vanderpump and Sarah Paulson offers a fascinating case study in celebrity perception, public memory, and the nuanced dynamics of social interactions. On one hand, Sarah Paulson, an acclaimed actress, genuinely felt that her brief encounter with Vanderpump left her with the impression of unkindness. Her consistent narrative, from the lie detector test to Watch What Happens Live, suggests a sincere recollection of her experience. Her admission that Vanderpump might not have known who she was, and the casual mention of “grabbing” Giggy, hints at a situation where perhaps Vanderpump was preoccupied, or the interaction was more fleeting than Paulson had initially anticipated or desired.
On the other hand, Lisa Vanderpump’s counter-narrative, anchored by the photograph of Paulson holding Giggy, presents a different perspective. For Vanderpump, who famously dotes on her animals and is particular about who handles them, allowing Paulson to hold Giggy signifies a certain level of warmth or comfort during their interaction. Her initial “I don’t know her” might have been a genuine lapse in memory, or perhaps a tactical dismissal, but the photo complicates that narrative. Her subsequent tweet emphasizes that she believes she was “kind” and that any negative perception might stem from Paulson’s association with her “mean girls,” a clear strategic move to frame the situation within the context of her broader reality TV feuds.
This situation underscores how easily misunderstandings can arise in fleeting social encounters, especially between public figures. What one person perceives as a slight, another might remember as a perfectly cordial, if brief, interaction. The added layer of Paulson being a fan of RHOBH and Vanderpump’s complicated history with her former co-stars further muddies the waters, making it difficult to ascertain a singular, objective truth about that long-ago party.
The Broader Context: LVP’s RHOBH Exit and Lingering Feuds
To fully appreciate the intensity of Lisa Vanderpump’s response, it’s essential to consider the broader context of her dramatic departure from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Vanderpump’s final season on RHOBH was marred by the infamous “Puppygate” scandal, a contentious storyline involving a dog adopted from her rescue organization, Vanderpump Dogs. This incident led to a significant rift between Vanderpump and almost all her co-stars, resulting in her feeling isolated and ultimately choosing to leave the show that had cemented her reality TV stardom. The period surrounding her exit was highly emotional and fraught with accusations, betrayals, and public disagreements with the “mean girls” of the cast.
Given this tumultuous history, any public accusation of unkindness, especially one that might be perceived as siding with her former castmates, would naturally strike a raw nerve with Vanderpump. Her reference to “those mean girls” in her tweet to Sarah Paulson is not merely a throwaway line; it’s a direct invocation of the deep-seated resentments and unresolved conflicts from her time on RHOBH. It suggests that Vanderpump views Paulson’s comments not just as an isolated critique, but potentially as an extension of the ongoing narrative perpetuated by her reality TV adversaries.
For Lisa Vanderpump, maintaining her public image as a kind, elegant, and hospitable personality is paramount. Accusations of being “not nice” directly challenge this carefully cultivated persona, especially after a period where her character was heavily scrutinized on national television. Her latest response, therefore, serves as both a defense of her personal conduct and a subtle reminder of the alliances and divisions that continue to shape the celebrity social landscape, long after the cameras of reality television have stopped rolling for a particular season.
Conclusion: An Enduring Celebrity Sideshow
The ongoing “not nice” saga between Lisa Vanderpump and Sarah Paulson is a compelling microcosm of celebrity interactions in the digital age. What began as a spontaneous comment in a lie detector test has evolved into a multi-layered public discourse, fueled by social media, fan speculation, and the lingering shadows of reality television drama. Both women have presented their versions of events, each with their own unique context and defense, leaving fans to ponder the true nature of that initial party encounter.
As of now, the ball seems to be back in Sarah Paulson’s court. Will she respond to Vanderpump’s Giggy photo and the “mean girls” insinuation? Or will this celebrity disagreement simply fade into the annals of Hollywood trivia? Regardless of its ultimate resolution, this incident serves as a potent reminder that even the most fleeting encounters between stars can spark widespread discussion, highlighting the delicate balance between public image, personal perception, and the enduring power of social media to amplify every word and action.