In a move that has sparked widespread outrage, Real Housewives of Orange County alum Kelly Dodd and her husband, news anchor Rick Leventhal, are under fire for a tasteless Instagram video that appears to mock a disturbing moment from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The clip, posted on July 19, 2025, shows the couple reenacting a recently resurfaced scene in which Aaron Phypers, the estranged husband of Denise Richards, threatened to “crush” her hand. The video comes just days after Richards, 54, filed for a restraining order against Phypers, 52, alleging a pattern of physical abuse, including choking, slapping, and death threats.
In the now-infamous Instagram post, captioned “Denise and Aaron for Halloween??,” Dodd, 49, and Leventhal, 65, are seen in a chilling reenactment as Leventhal aggressively pulls Dodd up a staircase, mimicking the unsettling RHOBH moment. The attempt at humor has been met with swift and fierce condemnation from fans and followers, who have flooded the comments section of the post—now set to “limited”—with accusations of insensitivity and cruelty.
“That’s cruel, domestic abuse doesn’t get a costume or a vote,” one commenter wrote, encapsulating the sentiment of many who found the video deeply offensive. “Wow, this is in such poor taste!!!!!” another added, while others urged Dodd to remove the post altogether. “Out of respect for what Denise is enduring, taking this down would be a positive, healthy gesture,” one user pleaded.
The backlash grew more intense as a self-identified domestic abuse survivor shared their pain, calling the clip “insulting” and adding, “But hey, sick humour for sick minds, I suppose.” Others criticized Dodd and Leventhal for their apparent lack of boundaries, with comments like “no limits” and “no class” echoing across social media. One user pointedly remarked, “You know, you might have missed the mark on this one. It’s a little pathetic to poke fun at domestic violence. Especially when there’s so many other things to poke fun at when it comes to these targets.”
The controversy arrives amid a tumultuous period for Richards and Phypers, who announced their split earlier this year after tying the knot in 2018. The former couple has since been embroiled in a heated legal battle, with Richards presenting harrowing evidence in court, including a photo of a black eye allegedly caused by Phypers. In response, Phypers has countered with his own allegations, claiming Richards slapped and scratched him.
As the public outcry continues, many are calling for accountability from Dodd and Leventhal, with one commenter summing it up: “There are many things on the housewives shows to make fun of, but domestic abuse is not one of them.” The video’s fallout serves as a stark reminder of the sensitivity required when addressing issues as serious as domestic violence, leaving fans questioning whether Dodd will address the backlash or stand by her controversial post.