The drama surrounding Vanderpump Rules alum Scheana Shay, 40, has reached fever pitch as fans question whether her husband Brock Davies’ publicized affair was a calculated move to secure a full-time spot on The Valley and boost sales of her newly released memoir, My Good Side. The reality star has faced a firestorm of criticism, with skeptics accusing her of exploiting her family’s personal turmoil for fame and profit. However, Scheana is hitting back, defending her decision to share her story and addressing the recent departure of co-star Jax Taylor, 46, from The Valley ahead of its third season.
In a fiery appearance on the July 22 episode of the Juicy Scoop podcast, Scheana clapped back at her detractors. “For everyone saying I’m so desperate to get on The Valley and I’m trying to sell a book by using my family, I just want to remind them that I’ve been a part of this show since before it even existed,” she declared, as reported by Us Weekly. “I would never sell my family out to sell a book.” Her words were a direct rebuttal to those who speculate that the affair scandal was a publicity stunt orchestrated to keep her in the spotlight.
Scheana doubled down on her choice to include the affair in her memoir, emphasizing that authenticity was her priority. “I’m telling my truth because it’s my story,” she explained. “There’s no way I could put out a memoir and not tell my full story. If there’s anything missing from the book, it’s not a skeleton in my closet—because all of those are out.” She admitted that sharing such a personal chapter of her life was daunting, adding, “Maybe I could have gone into more detail on some things, but this is literally all of me. It’s kind of scary.”
Fans, however, remain divided. Social media platforms like X are buzzing with theories, with some pointing to inconsistencies in Scheana’s narrative and The Valley’s storyline as evidence that the scandal might have been exaggerated—or even fabricated—for dramatic effect. One user posted, “The timing of Scheana’s book release and Brock’s ‘affair’ feels too convenient. Is this just a storyline to secure her spot on The Valley?” Another commented, “Her memoir reads like a script for reality TV drama. I’m not buying it.” While no concrete proof of a staged scandal has surfaced, the speculation continues to fuel heated debates among viewers.
Meanwhile, Scheana also weighed in on Jax Taylor’s surprising exit from The Valley, calling it a “smart” and “healthy” move during her July 23 appearance on the So Bad It’s Good podcast, via Us Weekly. Jax, who has been open about his struggles with mental health and sobriety, recently entered rehab, prompting his decision to step away from the show. “I think he needs to focus on his mental health and sobriety right now,” Scheana said. “Being in rehab, trying to film a TV show, and dealing with FOMO [fear of missing out]—none of that was healthy for him.”
Scheana expressed hope that Jax’s focus on recovery would benefit not only himself but also his estranged wife, Brittany Cartwright, 36, and their 4-year-old son, Cruz. “This is a very smart and mature decision for him to prioritize his sobriety,” she noted. “I hope he continues on that path for himself, for Cruz, and for Brittany.”
As the controversy surrounding Scheana and Brock’s scandal swirls, fans are left wondering: Was the affair a genuine heartbreak or a carefully crafted plot twist? With The Valley’s third season on the horizon and Scheana’s memoir flying off the shelves, only time will tell if the truth will come to light—or if this is just another chapter in the reality TV playbook.