“Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” star Jen Shah likened her first day in federal prison to a “BravoCon meet and greet” in her first interview since being released.

Jen Shah was sentenced to nearly eight years in prison in January 2023 after pleading guilty to her role in running a nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme that targeted elderly and vulnerable victims.

Jen Shah Talks About First Day In Prison, Said It Was Like A ‘BravoCon Meet And Greet’

Speaking with PEOPLE, Shah opened up about life as a public figure behind bars.

“Listen, it was like a BravoCon meet and greet when I got there,” she said. “Literally.”

BravoCon is the network’s massive fan convention featuring more than 100 Bravolebs held every other year.

“I didn’t know that there were so many fans there,” Shah continued. “I had people coming up to me, saying, ‘Hi, I’m the President of the Salt Lake City fan club out of Louisiana.”

Jen Shah Says Being A Former ‘Real Housewives’ Star Brought A Lot Of Attention To Her In Prison

The attention wasn’t always welcomed, though. According to Shah, the staff at FPC Bryan in Texas did things that brought “unnecessary” attention to her.

“I was required to carry a pink card,” she said, describing it as the “scarlet letter.”

Shah explained that wearing the pink card placed a target on her back and said it also came with strict requirements.

“I had to carry it around and check in with officers every two hours,” she said.

Jen Shah Admits She Made The ‘Wrong Decisions’ Before Being Sentenced

“Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” viewers saw a portion of Shah’s legal battles during earlier seasons of the show. However, her lawyers barred her from sharing too much information on camera.

Advertisement

According to the Department of Justice, Shah pleaded guilty in June 2022 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing.

US Attorney Damiian Williams said Shah was a “key participant” in a nationwide plot that “targeted the elderly, vulnerable victims” by selling “false promises of financial security.”

The press release claimed that Shah, along with others, engaged in a “widespread coordinated effort” to get victims to invest in companies that had little to no value.

In her interview with PEOPLE, Shah admitted she was “wrong” for what she did. “I made wrong decisions. I should have done things differently. I should have been more diligent. And I’m deeply remorseful and sorry for my actions and for my part. I take full responsibility,” she added.

Advertisement

Shah Details How She Became Involved In The Reported Scheme That Sent Her To Prison

The reported scheme used lead lists containing customer information that had been sold to different telemarketing floors to pressure them into purchasing more services.

The US government alleged that Shah was the mastermind behind the lists, ultimately controlling what was offered and how much to charge.

“It’s a long and a very complex journey that brought me to this point,” Shah said about her role in the ordeal. “And without re-litigating it, I became involved in the case because I made horrible business decisions and I disregarded huge red flags. I allowed the lines to be blurred between personal friendships and ethical business practices. And in essence, I trusted the wrong people at a very vulnerable time in my life.”

Shah went on to say that she believed she was doing the “right thing” at one point. “I was working under people who were running these companies,” she said.

Advertisement

Down the line, however, the individuals Shah worked with allegedly began working with others, who engaged in unethical behavior. “Once that initial fulfillment was happening, things were happening beyond the point of sale with that customer that I didn’t know about,” she added.

Could Shah Return To The ‘Real Housewives Of Salt Lake City’?

Now that Shah is a free woman, could she return to the “Real Housewives” franchise, as some of the network’s other previously arrested stars have, such as Teresa Giudice?

It’s hard to say for certain; however, Shah’s former co-star Meredith Marks seemed open to the idea in 2024.

“Accountability goes a long way in our circle,” she told PEOPLE. “If you say, ‘Look, I screwed up and I made a mistake and I’m sorry’ — that matters. If she’s taking accountability and doing what she needs to do to make it better, that’s the best she can do right now. There’s nothing else she can do beyond that.”

Shah may have a few others to convince, though. According to The Blast, Bravo’s head honcho and “Housewives” godfather Andy Cohen previously said he “never” wants to see Shah again.

Advertisement

Some mornings, you’re staring into your closet with five minutes to spare and zero inspiration. You’ve got errands to run and dinner plans to make, and the last thing you want is to create an outfit from scratch. Thankfully, these one-and-done outfits do all the work for you.

A matching top and bottom takes the guesswork out of getting dressed, making you look polished in a matter of minutes. Read: You can actually have time to enjoy that morning coffee. These 19 two-piece sets cover everything from lounge days to date nights, so we bet they’ll earn permanent spot in your rotation. See our comfy favorites, which happen to start at just $7 a set. We know, it’s shocking.

19 Comfy Outfit Sets for Busy Mornings — From $7

1. Our Favorite: Packing for a trip gets easier when one set works double duty. Wear this sleeveless mock-neck outfit solo on warm days and layered on cooler ones.

2. Everyday Outfit: Grocery runs, weekend sports games, kid pick-ups — this casual tee and shorts set handles it all.

3. Date Night: Striped patterns and a relaxed silhouette give this day-to-night set a cool, unhurried vibe. It’s loose around the tummy for an extra-flattering fit.

4. Classy Act: Want a country club aesthetic? This knit outfit set nails it with luxe-looking fabric and contrast hems, which we credit for elevating the whole outfit.

5. Rich Mom: This cap-sleeve top and pleated pants combo reads ‘designer’ straight off the hanger, thanks to the clean lines and sophisticated drape.

Related: Look Instantly Polished in These Loose, Billowy Button-Ups — From $8

Choosing between trousers and jeans is easy, but selecting the right spring-ready top can be a challenge — especially on a Monday morning when you’re rushing out the door. Instead of hoping for the perfect button-up shirt to would magically appear, we suggest checking out these polished spring blouses that will solve the getting-ready dilemma fast. […]

Advertisement

6. Skirt Set: If you’re tied of winter neutrals, this colorful tee-and-skirt duo adds some personality back into your rotation.

7. Coffee Run: This wide-leg pants set splits the difference between loungewear and real clothes, ensuring you look pulled together without overthinking it. It’ll be your Starbucks run go-to.

8. Flattering Find: Ribbed materials are secretly slimming, elongating your torso and creating a longer, leaner silhouette. This two-piece wonder does so without effortlessly.

9. Yacht Wife: Stripes give this tee and shorts outfit a nautical, high-end flair. It should be much pricier than $27.

10. Sporty-Chic: When you want athleisure that doesn’t look like gym clothes, this stretchy top and jogger set is the answer. The drapey fabric and colorful options give the set a polished appearance, which we love.

11. Transitional Weather: Spring mornings call for long sleeves. This top and sweatpants set keeps you comfortable through transitional seasons and unpredictable shifts.

12. Vacation Mode: This tank and shorts set costs just $18, which is a total bargain in our book. Add sandals and a tote, and you’ve got a complete vacation look.

13. Effortless Elegance: The delicate floral tank gives this stylish number a dressy appeal. The print does the heavy lifting, so you can skip accessories completely.

14. Simple Stunner: Sometimes, a comfy tee and shorts are all you want. This matching set proves that simple style can still be sharp, especially with its dainty ruffle hems.

15. Boho Babe: Conceal the tummy with this boho-style lantern-sleeve set that features an oversized sweatshirt and shorts that keep it from looking frumpy.

16. Packing MVP: Sweat-wicking fabric sets this tank and flowy pants outfit apart from basic cotton options. It deserves a spot in any carry-on.

17. Under $35: Wear this refined knit set to a casual work meeting or weekend brunch — and nobody will guess it cost under $100, let alone under $35. The stripes keep it sleek.

18. Trendy Texture: Self-conscious about cellulite? This smoothing two-piece outfit is made with textured fabric that minimizes insecurities, making you feel like your confident self.

19. Flower Girl: A floral tee and sweatpants sounds casual, but this springy lounge set is actually so elevated. It bridges the gap between cozy and cute.

Related: These Sophisticated Gemstone Hues Are Much More Flattering Than Pastels

Advertisement

There’s a time and place for pastels, but if we’re being honest, these lighter shades have a way of washing out your skin tone. If that’s also your issue, you’re in good company. This spring, we’re reaching for clothes featuring gemstone-like hues instead — think deep topaz, rich amethyst and earthy green — the kind […]

Taking a book and turning it into a motion picture is a practice almost as old as cinema itself. Since the days of Georges Méliès, who offered his cinematic takes on literary classics like Cinderella and From the Earth to the Moon, filmmakers have been taking stories from the page to the big screen, experimenting with how the differences between the written word and the cinematic language can be most effectively combined.

Sometimes, the books adapted belong to authors that have since passed away. Other times, the authors are still alive and kicking and commend these cinematic adaptations of their work, no matter how involved they were in their making. On a few noteworthy occasions, however, authors have been quite vocal about their intense dislike for a certain movie adaptation of a book of theirs. From novelists like Stephen King to comic writers like Alan Moore, these are authors who clearly didn’t think the cinematic medium did their work justice. For fairness’ sake, entries will be limited to only one per author. Otherwise, a list of this nature would end up being composed purely of King and Moore adaptations.

10

‘Tales from Earthsea’ (2006)

Image via Toho

Ursula K. Le Guin was one of the greatest and most important American writers of her generation, known mainly for her work in speculative fiction. The collection of fantasy stories and essays known as Tales from Earthsea is perhaps her best-known work, and for good reason. Fans couldn’t have possibly been more excited when a Studio Ghibli adaptation of the first four books in the series was announced, which would be Gōro Miyazaki‘s (son of Hayao Miyazaki) directing debut. The rest is history, just not particularly pleasant history.

There are those who would go so far as to call Ghibli’s Tales from Earthsea one of the worst anime movies of all time. Le Guin herself probably would never have gone that far, but she did state that Miyazaki misunderstood the spirit of her books so terribly that she felt like the film told a completely different story from the source material. You’d be hard-pressed to find an Earthsea book fan who would disagree.

9

‘Charlotte’s Web’ (1973)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Advertisement

E. B. White, perhaps best-known as the creator of Stuart Little, was one of the greatest American children’s literature authors in modern history. He also wrote Charlotte’s Web, an illustrated book that, before being turned into a live-action film starring Dakota Fanning in 2006, was turned into a Hanna-Barbera musical cartoon in 1973.

Audiences today mostly remember it fondly as one of the movies that proved 1970s animation was by no means bad, but White wasn’t fond of the film at all. On the contrary, though the author was slightly involved in the movie’s story, he was generally displeased with the final product, calling it “a travesty.” He hated the fact that the movie was a musical, which he felt didn’t gel well with what he had written.

8

‘Rawhead Rex’ (1986)

Image via Empire Pictures

Advertisement

Legendary British horror author Clive Barker is perhaps best known as the man who wrote the Hellraiser series. When it came time to turn the book into a film, he decided to write and direct it himself. The reason? Rawhead Rex, an adaptation of Barker’s short story of the same name directed by George Pavlou, from a screenplay by Barker himself.

The movie was a colossal failure, and is still remembered as one of the worst horror movies of the ’80s. Barker, obviously, felt that the elements were all there on the page for Rawhead Rex to have been quite a thrilling film. He felt, however, that Pavlou’s direction fell short, failing to provide the stylish oomph that would have made the movie as strong as the source material.

7

‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ (1997)

Image via Columbia Pictures

Advertisement

Following the success of Wes Craven‘s 1996 slasher classic Scream, many terrible rip-offs followed. Jim Gillespie‘s I Know What You Did Last Summer may be iconic, but there’s no way of denying that it’s just that: a terrible Scream rip-off. It didn’t have to be that way, though. The movie wasn’t based on a horror novel, but rather a well-regarded 1973 YA thriller by Lois Duncan.

Duncan’s daughter, Kaitlyn Arquette, was shot to dead in 1989. In a 2002 interview, the author revealed that as the mother of a murdered young woman, she was absolutely appalled by the fact that her novel had been turned into a silly, cheap slasher. It’s difficult to blame her, made even more difficult by the fact that the film isn’t even a good slasher to begin with.

6

‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’ (1971)

Image via Paramount Pictures

Advertisement

As one of the most important voices in the modern history of children’s literature, Roald Dahl is someone who needs no introduction. Another person who needs no introduction is Willy Wonka, and fittingly, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, one of the best fantasy movie masterpieces of all time, has a reputation that precedes it. A lesser-known part of that reputation, however, is that Dahl hated the film.

In fairness, Dahl hated the vast majority of the movies based on his work, thinking that Hollywood had a tendency to twist his stories into things he had never intended. His dislike for Willy Wonka, however, was particularly strong. He disowned the movie and declared himself “infuriated” by its plot deviations, its being a musical, and its shifting the narrative’s focus from Charlie to Wonka. The original book purist, Dahl would have vastly preferred it if director Mel Stuart had stuck far more closely to what was already on the page, even if this has proven to age as one of the best family movies of all time.

5

‘The NeverEnding Story’ (1984)

Wolfgang Petersen‘s first English-language film, The NeverEnding Story is one of the most iconic family films of the ’80s, even if some find it to traumatizingly dark that its “family film” status is not uncontested. It was based on German writer Michael Ende‘s 1979 book of the same title, and it was a hit both with critics and at the box office.

Someone it wasn’t a hit with, however, was Ende himself. The author only got to see the script days before the movie’s premiere, and claimed to have been “horrified” by what he saw. He felt that Petersen completely changed the essence and spirit of the book, and later called the film a “gigantic melodrama of kitsch, commerce, plush and plastic.”

4

‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief’ (2010) and ‘Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters’ (2013)

Image via 20th Century Studios

Of the many book series that tried to be the next Harry Potter, few came as remarkably close with something as original, fun, and genuinely high-quality as Rick Riordan‘s Percy Jackson & the Olympians book series. But out of every book-to-film adaptation that’s nothing like the books, few cases are as egregious as The Lightning Thief and Sea of Monsters, the movies based on the first two installments in the saga.

Riordan was extremely vocal about how he felt about these movies. He said the writing was terrible, and not just because it deviated tremendously from the source material. He shared email recommendations for script changes that he sent to the people behind the movies—recommendations that clearly went unheard. Most of all, the author was bothered because he knew that these adaptations would anger and disappoint fans. It’s no wonder why Riordan became far more directly involved with the new Disney+ TV series adaptation of Percy Jackson.

3

‘Mary Poppins’ (1964)

Image via Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

Mary Poppins is widely recognized as one of the most perfect live-action Disney movies of all time, a marvelously magical and beautifully nostalgic musical bolstered by Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke‘s lead performances. It’s based on Autralian-British writer P. L. Travers‘ Mary Poppins book series, and Walt Disney‘s repeated decades-spanning attempts to buy the film rights to her books made for such an arduous production process that it became the subject of the Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson-starring Saving Mr. Banks.

Contrary to what the ending of Saving Mr. Banks depicts, however, Travers did not, in fact, like what Disney did with her books. Travers famously cried at the movie’s premiere due to how distorted and saccharine her story and characters had become as a result of their Disney-ification. She hated the animated segments, she objected to the musical numbers, and she disliked the casting of Julie Andrews in the titular role. Audiences, of course, have disagreed with Travers over the course of the film’s existence; but one can only sympathize with her sadness.

Image via 20th Century Studios

Another author who famously hates pretty much any and every film that’s ever been made about their work is Alan Moore. The writer is of the vehement opinion that it’s impossible to turn a comic book into a film that properly captures its essence, and as a result, adaptations of his work—from Zack Snyder‘s Watchmen to James McTeigue‘s V for Vendetta—rub him the wrong way. But out of every movie adaptation of his oeuvre, Moore had the most contempt for Stephen Norrington‘s The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

In all fairness to Moore, this is far and away one of the most abysmal superhero movies ever made, so it’s difficult to blame him for disliking it. What really added salt to the wound, however, was the lawsuit brought forward against 20th Century Studios by Larry Cohen and Martin Poll, who claimed that the studio had plagiarized their script. Moore got tangled up in the whole ordeal, and that only made League all the more of an unpleasant experience.

1

‘The Shining’ (1980)

Image via Warner Bros. Pictures

As one of the authors whose work is most often adapted by Hollywood, and not often with good results, Stephen King is someone with a long track record of being critical of big-screen adaptations of his work. But the most notorious King adaptation that he despised, and perhaps the most notorious case of an author hating a movie based on their work, is Stanley Kubrick‘s The Shining. Based on the third novel King ever wrote, many think of this ’80s classic as one of the greatest horror movies ever made, complete with one of the scariest movie villains of all time—but the author himself disagreed.

King’s dislike for Kubrick’s movie has become a subject of study itself, with fans having spent the last 46 years diving deep into why King might have felt such an aversion to this version of The Shining. He once said that it was the only adaptation of his novels that he could truly remember hating, calling it “maddening, perverse, and disappointing.” He admitted to Kubrick’s brilliance as a director, but felt that the film twisted the message and essence of what he had written as an allegory for alcoholism (with many autobiographical elements) into something he couldn’t recognize. Knowing King’s deeply personal connection to the story, it becomes impossible to blame him for hating what even the film’s biggest fans must admit is vastly different from the source material.

Advertisement

The Shining

Advertisement

Release Date

June 13, 1980

Runtime

144 minutes

Advertisement

Director

Stanley Kubrick

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

The Valley’s Kristen Doute is opening up about sex with Luke Broderick after baby.

“I mean, we’re trying. It’s just hard,” Kristen, 43, exclusively shared with Us Weekly while celebrating season 3 of Bravo’s hit reality show. “It’s not like I don’t find him to be the most attractive person in the world, which I do, or that I don’t want that for us. But I’m just tired all the time, and I’m in survival mode. I’m just hyperfocused on [our baby] Kaia.”

During the season 3 premiere of The Valley on Wednesday, April 1, viewers watched Kristen’s fiancé open up to costar Jesse Lally about life after becoming a dad.

“Our relationship is completely lacking intimacy, which is tough,” Luke shared in the episode. “She shuts down every advance. At what point do you stop trying?”

Related: ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Cast: Then and Now

While some things never change, the cast of Vanderpump Rules is used to a shake-up … and a touch-up. Vanderpump Rules was introduced to Bravo viewers during a special episode of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in January 2013. Season 1 starred Lisa Vanderpump, Stassi Schroeder, Scheana Shay, Jax Taylor, Katie Maloney, Tom Sandoval […]

During a lunch date with Nia Sanchez, Kristen also admitted that she hasn’t had a date night with her man in nearly three months and acknowledged that she isn’t in love with her body after giving birth.

“We’ve always had a healthy sex life,” she explained in a confessional interview. “But sex made a baby, and sex doesn’t exist.”

In a separate interview with Us, Luke acknowledged that things have improved since filming wrapped.

“You know, it’s a roller-coaster becoming new parents,” he shared. “I hope all new parents can identify with that. It’s still an up-and-down thing. We do improve. We move past things and something else comes up. So, overall, yes, things have improved.”

As for wedding planning, Luke said there haven’t been any major updates since welcoming a baby. That doesn’t mean a special ceremony isn’t going to happen in the future.

“Ball’s in her court. I have also put a line in the sand that I am a hard no on a wedding that’s going to cost six figures before we have a house that we own,” he explained. “So that’s my line.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

Advertisement

Related: Tom Schwartz Weighs In on Amanda Batula and West Wilson Relationship Drama

Getty Images (3) The Valley star Tom Schwartz is weighing in on the drama between the Summer House cast amid Amanda Batula and West Wilson’s controversial — and confirmed — romance. “I hope it’s not crashing down, because they have such a beautiful dynamic in that house,” Tom, 43, exclusively told Us Weekly of his […]

Through all the ups and downs of life, both Luke and Kristen are happy to have the support of their close friends Nia and Danny Booko.

“Nia and Danny, all my friends that have had babies, women online are super supportive,” Kristen shared with Us. “Our relationship took a back seat, but we know that that’s something we have to put more energy into.”

The Valley airs on Bravo Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Stream new episodes the next day on Peacock.

Jen Shah has opened up about serving time at a Texas prison with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, revealing that Maxwell showed “no remorse” for her late boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein’s victims.

“I had limited interactions with her,” the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City alum, 52, told People in an interview published on Wednesday, April 1. “I chose that. I chose to keep my distance.”

After pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with a telemarketing scheme, Shah served time at the same Bryan, Texas, federal prison camp where Maxwell, 64, and convicted fraudster Elizabeth Holmes were also incarcerated.

Shax described Maxwell’s “experience” in prison as “very different” than anything she or Holmes, 42, endured.

“[Maxwell] is treated very differently there,” Shah said. “I didn’t have a lot of interaction with her … She would come over and talk to us or I would see her … She made it very publicly known, at least to Elizabeth and I, that there’s no remorse there.”

The Bravo star went on, “Again, I obviously don’t know all the details of the case or whatever but we know enough. It was a lot when the [Epstein] victims would be on TV and talking, she [showed] just complete disregard for them. This was when they were pouring their hearts out in front of Congress for the [Epstein Files] to be released.”

“To see that kind of behavior when there are real victims that you’re seeing and what they’ve gone through, and to be so dismissive of that, that just didn’t sit right with me,” Shah added.

Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years behind bars following her 2022 conviction on charges of conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport minors to participate in illegal sex acts, transporting a minor to participate in illegal sex acts, sex trafficking conspiracy, and sex trafficking of a minor. (Maxwell maintains her innocence and has publicly appealed to President Donald Trump for a pardon.)

Shah insisted that both she and Holmes “definitely” chose to keep their distance from Maxwell once they noticed her alleged ambivalence toward Epstein’s victims. (Epstein died by suicide at age 66 in August 2019 after being arrested on federal sex crimes charges.)

“I just feel like there should be a level of remorse for the victims,” Shah argued. “And she made it very publicly known — at least to Elizabeth and I — that there’s no remorse there. She outrightly said it.”

Shah raised concern over Maxwell’s alleged favorable treatment in prison, claiming that the former socialite received privileges that other inmates had no access to.

“[Maxwell] was treated very well there. She was afforded things that nobody else was afforded, like private workout sessions, special meals, bottled water,” Shah told People. “Everybody witnessed it, and I know that firsthand because I worked in [recreation] so I would have to clean things up. I was also asked for certain equipment because she was going to go work out late at night.”

Shah went on to say, “There’s a process you have to go through to schedule your legal calls. She would not have to go through the same process.”

In response to Shah’s allegations, a spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons told People that its staff is “committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, and professionalism in the operation of its facilities.”

“Staff are required to treat all inmates equitably, in accordance with law, policy, and institutional security and safety protocols. Any deviation from this standard undermines public trust and the fair administration of justice,” a BOP statement read. “Violations of this policy are subject to a full range of disciplinary actions, up to and including removal from federal service and potential criminal prosecution.”

Us Weekly has reached out to the Bureau of Prisons for comment.

Advertisement

Related: Inside ‘RHOSLC’ Alum Jen Shah’s Life After Being Released From Prison

The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City alum Jen Shah is a free woman. After serving less than three years of her six-and-a-half-year sentence for her role in a long-running nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme, the Bravo star was released from the Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, Texas, on December 10, 2025. “Jen Shah has demonstrated […]

Shah seemingly had a much friendlier rapport with former Theranos CEO Holmes, who was found guilty on four counts of fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud against investors in 2022.

“Lizzie and I are good friends,” Shah told the publication. “As another high-profile prisoner, there are just certain things you’re both dealing with, so you naturally come together in those instances.”

Thank You!

You have successfully subscribed.

For her part, Shah insisted that she is working to repay the $6.6 million she owes in restitution for allegedly defrauding elderly clients as part of a telemarketing scheme.

“I’d like to say that I’m sorry and I’m here and accepting responsibility and have made it my mission as part of my consequences to make sure that people are paid back through the restitution,” she said. “These people deserve to be made whole.”

If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

A well-known reality TV couple is speaking out after a frightening road rage encounter in Los Angeles that they say left them shaken and fearing for their lives. Celebrity designer Pol’ Atteu and his husband Patrik Simpson say they were targeted during a violent confrontation while driving through West Hollywood, sparking renewed concerns about safety and crime in the area. The incident, which unfolded in broad daylight, has since prompted the reality TV stars to call for stronger action against rising crime.

Road Rage Incident Turns Violent In West Hollywood

According to Atteu and Simpson, the ordeal began at the intersection of Melrose Avenue and Vine Street when a man driving a Toyota 4Runner allegedly cut off their Mercedes. What followed quickly escalated into a terrifying encounter, with the man reportedly attacking their vehicle.

The couple says they locked themselves inside as the suspect punched the driver’s side window and kicked the door. “I thought he was gonna kill us. I thought I was going to die,” Atteu told Daily Mail.

Simpson echoed the fear of the moment, adding, “We were literally like trapped rats. And then he came running towards the car, and I saw my life flash before my eyes. I think if he had broken that window, then we would not be here today.”

911 Call Leaves Couple Frustrated

After the suspect fled the scene, the couple attempted to follow from a distance while calling 911 in hopes of identifying the driver. However, they say the response they received from the dispatcher left them stunned.

Instead of assistance, they were reportedly told to stop pursuing the suspect or risk being held liable. “It was like they were trying to turn it around and say that we were in the wrong for following the guy,” Simpson said. “All we were trying to do was to get the license plate, because if I did not have the license plate number, we would not be able to do anything, and we want to catch this man and prosecute him.”

Police Response Raises Questions

Once officers eventually arrived, the couple claims they were instructed to file a report online rather than receive immediate assistance at the scene. “You’d think they would want to take my name down, my information down, like different things that have to do with us so that they can find a way to get back to us,” Atteu said.

Simpson added, “The fact is, if I’m being accosted or whatever this is that happened, whatever the right legal term is, the police weren’t offering us any help.”

The couple ultimately filed a vandalism report and has since shared video of the incident with their social media followers, where they boast a sizable audience. “I think in this day and age you have to be your own champion,” Simpson said. “I’m not saying that you take justice into your own hands, but you have to seek accountability.”

Past Attack Adds To Ongoing Safety Concerns

For Atteu and Simpson, this isn’t the first time they say they’ve been impacted by violent crime in California. In 2019, Atteu was hospitalized after being attacked during a charity fashion show at St. John’s Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles.

The suspect in that case, identified as Jesus Rodolfo Zepeda, was reportedly upset that his daughter had not been selected to participate in the event. Although he was initially arrested, he was later released due to COVID-related jail constraints.

Years later, in 2024, he was convicted of assault and received a suspended five-year prison sentence, serving only a brief period in custody.

Couple Calls For Action Amid Growing Crime Concerns

Following the latest incident, Atteu and Simpson are using their platform to speak out and call attention to what they describe as a growing safety issue.

Known for their high-profile clientele, including Carrie Underwood, Hillary Clinton, and the late Anna Nicole Smith, the couple has long been part of Hollywood’s social scene. Now, they’re hoping their experience sparks a larger conversation about public safety and accountability.

As they continue to process the frightening ordeal, the couple believes more needs to be done to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for The Rookie Season 8, Episode 13.The LAPD’s Mid-Wilshire Division is currently facing a crisis in The Rookie Season 8, and it might open a pathway for a former rookie to make his return. Seth Ridley (Patrick Keleher), the failed former rookie of Lucy Chen (Melissa O’Neil) and John Nolan (Nathan Fillion), from Season 7, came back this week in the latest episode, “The Thinker,” seeking reinstatement in the LAPD’s field training officer program. Although he did not achieve that goal in “The Thinker,” Seth has genuinely proven he wants to make a fresh start, and his actions in this episode prove that he has earned a redemptive arc in The Rookie.

LAPD’s Recruiting Crisis Opens a Path for Seth Ridley’s Return

Sgt. Tim Bradford (Eric Winter) reveals in “The Thinker” that the LAPD is facing an employment crisis, with rising retirements and declining recruits. Also, a bunch of other Mid-Wilshire officers literally win the lottery, signaling their collective resignation and sparking a big recruitment drive. Enter Seth Ridley, who made his presence known at the function and wishes to be reinstated into the LAPD. Despite Seth getting his lower leg amputated due to a shotgun wound in the Season 7 episode, “The Return,” John did encourage him to continue in law enforcement, provided that he is totally honest from that point forward.

Obviously, Lucy and Tim were not happy about this development with Seth, but Officer Miles Penn (Deric Augustine) was more than willing to endorse giving Seth a second chance. The LAPD needs officers on the streets, meaning that Seth presents a strong case for getting his job back. As John pointed out in “The Return,” Seth’s saving John’s life earned him a lot of goodwill in the department. Seth also saved Mile’s life and aided in the arrest of a dangerous fugitive earlier in Season 8 in “Baja.” All those factors should be taken into account for Seth’s potential return to the LAPD.

Seth Has Earned His Redemption Arc in ‘The Rookie’

Seth did commit some grievous acts as a rookie in Mid-Wilshire. However, he took John’s words to heart, and his personal and professional lives suffered massively as a result. Case in point, Seth hit rock bottom when the character initially returned in “The Red Place.” However, hitting rock bottom and Miles’ pep talk in that episode clearly affected Seth, as he finally took steps to stop feeling sorry for himself and own up to his mistakes. Although Miles is biased, he fully vouches for Seth and believes he deserves a second chance, which counts for a lot.

Later in the episode, Tim and Lucy request that Seth take a polygraph test as a condition for considering the former rookie’s reinstatement. Seth did take the polygraph test, with many harsh truths coming to light, including the incident in the Season 7 episode, “Wildfire,” where Seth failed to inform Tim and Lucy that they were entering a dangerous zone during a wildfire evacuation, endangering their lives. Seth also admits to fabricating his cancer diagnosis. Seth passes his polygraph, but Tim explains that Seth’s admissions regarding the wildfire incident are problematic, as they would have to be reported to Internal Affairs, hurting his chances of reinstatement into the FTO program.

Related

‘The Rookie’s Jenna Dewan Confirms More “Spy-ish” Storylines for the ABC Procedural

The latest Pentagon storyline isn’t the only espionage the show has planned.

Although Lucy and Tim laid out why Tim’s actions of saving John’s life do not make up for his past mistakes, the revelation came off like a punch in the gut. Seth was completely honest and owned up to his past errors. Instead, Lucy and Tim basically utilized the session as entrapment against Seth to block him from ever returning to the force, despite Lucy and Tim both recognizing Seth’s sincere efforts and showing genuine respect for Seth’s honesty. Their actions in this episode came off more like payback against Seth, rather than a justified punishment. Although Tim is in charge of the recruitment drive, he and Lucy shouldn’t have been allowed to oversee the polygraph test, as they are biased parties.

Seth Ridley’s Exit Felt Less Than Final

Image via Disney/Mike Taing

Despite Lucy and Tim’s ruling, something tells us that we have not seen the last of Seth Ridley. His appearance in “The Thinker” came off as less than final, suggesting the issue of his potential return to the FTO program could still be revisited in the near future. The LAPD is still suffering from a lack of recruits, so Seth could easily slide back into the FTO program with any number of explanations, despite his past mistakes.

Seth’s run in The Rookie proved compelling as a flawed character and pathological individual. However, now that Seth has seen the result of his actions, it would be even more fascinating if he received the opportunity to turn his life around. Miles and John already forgave Seth and believe him worthy of a second chance, and his actions in “The Thinker” prove he’s worked on fixing lying to protect himself. Seth’s run on the show will always feel incomplete if he never gets the opportunity to fulfill his redemption arc. Hopefully, Seth will get that opportunity later as The Rookie Season 8 continues on ABC.