It feels like Katie Maloney and Ariana Madix’s Something About Her business venture has only gotten off the ground. Vanderpump Rules viewers watched as they started the process of building their own sandwich business. Katie and Ariana wanted an eatery that felt magical, like right out of a Nancy Meyers movie. What they were met with was a lot of red tape thanks to the WeHo City Council, pushed timelines, and now a lawsuit. I bet they are wondering if a little old sandwich is worth all this trouble.
Katie and Ariana can’t catch a break with Something About Her
Earlier this week, TMZ revealed that Katie and Ariana were being sued by their former business partner. If anyone is counting, that’s the second time this week Ariana has had a legal issue. The popular Vanderpump Rules duo is being accused of reneging on a business agreement regarding their recently opened shop. Their former business partner and friend of Lisa Vanderpump, Penny Davidi Borsuk, was the one to file the documents. In the documents, Penny alleged that Katie and Ariana failed to hold up their end of the bargain after she took the COO/Director of Culinary role. The former chef noted she was promised a 10% partnership in June 2023 if she helped to develop the Something About Her concept.
Penny wants her dues from Something About Her
Under this alleged agreement, Penny claimed she took on a lot of work. And performed above and beyond the call of duty to get Something About Her off the ground. The documents claim she also filed multiple trademarks for the sandwich shop. Bravo cameras also showed Penny helping out with the hiring of staff and the tasting menu. Penny went on to claim that she was supposed to be paid $7,500 a month until January. Then her rate was then supposed to be increased to $10,000 a month.
Penny is now arguing that both Katie and Ariana have denied that there was ever a partnership. This exclusion is the main reason Penny has taken herself and the ladies to court. The chef claims there is more than enough evidence to prove her point. The chef is seeking a judge to declare that the partnership and its terms are legally binding.
Show me the evidence
In multiple Season 10 and Season 11 scenes, Penny is shown on camera and given the title “Chef Consultant.” One scene shows the former COO walking around the brick-and-mortar shop with Ariana and Katie, talking about the space and noting that it has “such nice energy.” Katie notes in her confessional, “We have a lot to do to turn our vision into a reality.” The cameras pan back to Penny rushing off to the kitchen, noting she has “ideas.”
Penny is then shown rattling off the entire menu, sharing what she was responsible for making for one of the many tasting parties the ladies threw. The Bravo cameras then pan back to Katie in her confessional, gloating that she and Ariana have one advantage over the Toms sharing, “We are willing to ask the professionals for help.” This particular scene then shows all three of the women hugging.
Something About Nothing
The much-anticipated sandwich shop finally opened in May after multiple issues with permits and other delays. The shop was first announced back in May 2022. Fans and costars alike started to doubt the stars’ venture, especially after opening day, which sent a shock wave of complaints due to long lines. Both women spoke with People about the setback at the time, noting, “We both believed that it would always happen, that we were going to make it happen. But there were definitely some moments of deep breathing at times when something else would pop up, and you just have to take a second.”
Neither Katie nor Ariana have commented on the recent lawsuit. Ariana had one hell of a week putting out fires as she lost her countersuit to Rachel Leviss and was sued by Tom Sandoval. In the complaint, Tom accused Ariana of accessing his phone without his “permission” and reviewing “images, information, data, videos and/or communications.” Tom went as far as to claim Ariana “made copies of the data and distributed the data to Leviss and third parties without his authorization or permission.” However, a few days later, Tom dropped the lawsuit.
I hope Katie, Ariana, and Penny can resolve their issues. It would be a shame to never taste the $16 Diane sandwich.
TELL US — DO YOU THINK ARIANA AND KATIE WENT BACK ON THEIR WORD?
