Billie Lee Confirms She Quit ‘Vanderpump Rules’ After ‘Bullying’ Made Her ‘Suicidal’
Jul. 24 2019, Updated 5:21 p.m. ET
Billie Lee is opening up about her difficult decision to quit Vanderpump Rules, one week after RadarOnline.com first broke the news of her departure from the series.
In an emotional post on her website, the star explained how her “fairy godmother Lisa Vanderpump” gave her a chance to appear on TV after so many rejected her for being trans.
“During my time at SUR, I met some of the most wonderful people, a few in particular that I now call family. They saw me in a way I never saw myself – they saw beauty, light and love. They saw a powerful activist who was unstoppable. These beautiful souls put a mirror in front of me, they showed me how far I’ve come and how far I can go. But with good always comes evil,” Lee, 34, wrote.
As RadarOnline.com readers know, Lee has had feuds with several cast members, and never truly felt like part of the group. One of the last straws was when, in a recent episode, Katie Maloney excluded her from planning a Girls’ Night In party. Furious, Lee accused her costar of being transphobic.
“Some of my coworkers were threatened by my differences, going out of their way to exclude me, one demanding I be fired from the show because he didn’t feel comfortable working with me, his exact words were, ‘I’m not gonna lose all I have worked hard for for something stupid I may say or do to offend her. Are we all supposed to tip toe around her because she’s trans?’ Like most men during the #MeToo movement he was so afraid of saying the wrong thing that he just wanted me gone,” Lee said, not naming the male costar.
“The bullying on and off camera brought my deep insecurities to the surface, this dark black mirror held up high for everyone in public to see and to judge. The reflection of fear and anger led me back to depression and suicidal thoughts.”
Lee said she thought she was done with such vicious bullying after high school and college but after working at SUR, she “once again I found myself 34, depressed, and fantasizing about taking my own life.”
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The star said her pals told her to stick around another year, and while she tried, she was not strong enough to endure the drama and alleged bullying any longer.
“SUR will always be a place I cherish. I’m so grateful for everyone including the owners Nathalie and Guillermo for always having my back. I’m also grateful for Lisa, your encouragement and blessing to move forward with this new chapter of mine means the world to me. With the help of so many powerful people including Lisa I now have the opportunity to lead my own projects that you will see in 2020,” she wrote.
RadarOnline.com reported Lee is working on creating her own show after ditching VPR. For now, however, she is focusing on supporting anti-bullying campaigns, especially for members of the LGBTQ community.
“If you ask me, my journey has only just begun. I now have the opportunity to educate and inspire others with my activism work and new projects taking off. Every day is an opportunity to take back your dream, to embrace your journey and live the life you’ve always wanted. You are never too old or ‘too gay’ and it’s never too late to start over,” Lee wrote.