Ariana Madix DEFENDS ‘amazing’ Scheana Shay for taking a photo with a fan and cheating ex Tom Sandoval: ‘She was just doing something nice’

Ariana Madix defended her friend and co-star, Scheana Shay, for taking a photo with a fan that also included her cheating ex, Tom Sandoval, on her Instagram stories on Friday.

The Vanderpump Rules star, 38, who has bee filming the 11th season of the hit Bravo series, penned a statement to her own fans and followers in response to a picture that Scheana and other castmates took while in Lake Tahoe.

‘@scheana is an amazing friend who took a photo with a fan for their birthday. there’s been so many mean comments towards her for it and she was just doing something nice,’ the TV personality expressed.

‘We always try to stop for photos and when the whole cast is present, it’s common for the whole cast to be in the photo regardless of what is going on between any of us at the time,’ Madix further explained.

Other co-stars that were in the photo included Lala Kent and Sandoval’s BFF and business partner, Tom Schwartz. However, other cast members, such as Ariana and Katie Maloney, did not travel to film in Lake Tahoe.

Kind gesture: ‘@scheana is an amazing friend who took a photo with a fan for their birthday. there’s been so many mean comments towards her for it and she was just doing something nice,’ the TV personality expressed

Earlier on Wednesday, Scheana was joined by Lala Kent as the pair clapped back at ‘stupid’ haters as they defended taking a photo with Tom Sandoval in a clip shared on Shay’s stories. 

In the image taken with a fan during the trip, Scheana – who stated that she has not ‘forgiven’ Tom – could be seen flashing a smile as she stood next to him for the snap.

After receiving negative backlash, Scheana jumped to her Instagram stories to share a ‘rant’ while Lala was next to her as they lounged on a bed.

‘To go on an Instagram story rant or not,’ Shay mused while angling the phone camera high above the two. Lala added, ‘Don’t ask me. You know I love a good Instagram story rant.’

Scheana continued, ‘I don’t know why I feel the need to defend taking a photo with my hand like this [a fist] in the back of someone,’ referencing to how she stood next to Sandoval.

Kent, who was looking at her own phone, then added, ‘People are so stupid. It like still blows my mind that people don’t realize that we’re filming a show. And it was that girl’s birthday.’

‘Like, what are we going to be like, “Eh, no! Absolutely not!”‘ Like no, happy birthday, let’s take a f***ing picture. It’s called adulting,’ Lala added.

Scheana then angled the camera back over to herself and explained, ‘We’re in a group. We’re all here. We hopped in a photo, you know what? I happened to be standing where I’m standing.’

Clapping back: Earlier on Wednesday, Scheana was joined by Lala Kent as the pair clapped back at ‘stupid’ haters as they defended taking a photo with Tom Sandoval in a clip shared on Shay’s stories

Explaining: Scheana continued, ‘I don’t know why I feel the need to defend taking a photo with my hand like this [a fist] in the back of someone,’ referencing to how she stood next to Sandoval

Group photo: Shay and Kent had taken a photo with a fan during the trip, with other castmates joining in, including Sandoval – whom Scheana was standing next to

She further expressed, ‘I take photos with strangers every f***king day. That’s how you take a photo. I stand like that. I smile. I tilt my head to my good side.’

While Shay was addressing her fans, Lala added, ‘It’s called Vanderpump Rules. Have you guys watched it before? It’s a TV show.’

Some of the cast members traveled to Lake Tahoe to film the 11th season of the hit Bravo series and to shed support to Lisa Vanderpump who opened a new restaurant called Wolf.

Filming began shortly after the explosive season 10 reunion which was in response to Tom and Raquel Leviss’ affair – which has been dubbed as Scandoval.

The businessman notably cheated on his girlfriend of nine years, Ariana Madix, and upon discovering intimate FaceTime videos on his phone in early March, she promptly ended their relationship.

The latest reel comes shortly after Scheana took to her Twitter page to reveal where she stood with Tom following the cheating scandal.

On Tuesday, she shared a separate video to her Instagram stories as she strolled alongside Sandoval’s friend and business partner, Tom Schwartz. However, in the background, a voice similar to Sandoval could be heard.

Fans reposted the clip on Twitter, with one penning, ‘Is that Sandoval’s voice??? All is forgiven, I guess. #pumprules.’ Shay replied to the comment and added, ‘Who said all is forgiven?? We are all here for Lisa.’

Earlier last week amidst filming in West Hollywood at Lisa Vanderpump’s SUR restaurant during a meet up, Scheana was seen sharing a heated exchange with Sandoval. 

Where she stands: The latest reel comes shortly after Scheana took to her Twitter page to reveal where she stood with Tom following the cheating scandal

Not ‘forgiven’: Shay replied to the comment and added, ‘Who said all is forgiven?? We are all here for Lisa’

Possible return: Earlier on Tuesday, Raquel was seen stepping out for the first time since her exit amid reported negotiations in regards to possibly returning to the hit Bravo series

While Tom sat at a table outside, Shay could be heard screaming at him, ‘…if you hadn’t f***ed Raquel!’ referencing to Leviss, who recently checked out of a mental health facility.

A source recently told Page Six that while in Lake Tahoe to support Lisa’s new restaurant opening, the cast had agreed to put aside their differences and anger.

However, the insider added, ‘Just because the cast is in the same vicinity doesn’t mean that they are getting along. They are there to support Lisa’s new restaurant and are honoring her request that temperatures be lowered at the moment.’

Raquel recently checked out of an Arizona mental health facility that she stayed in April. Earlier on Tuesday, she was seen stepping out for the first time since her exit amid reported negotiations in regards to possibly returning to the hit Bravo series.