Kelly Dodd Sparks Outrage After Reenacting Domestic Violence Scene from ‘RHOBH’—Public Calls It “Disrespectful to Victims”

Former Real Housewives of Orange County star Kelly Dodd is once again at the center of controversy—this time for a video that many are calling “deeply offensive” and “tone-deaf.” Dodd and her husband, former Fox News correspondent Rick Leventhal, have come under fire for filming and posting a reenactment of a troubling scene from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills—a scene involving alleged domestic abuse between Denise Richards and her ex-husband Aaron Phypers.

In the now-viral clip posted to social media, Dodd and Leventhal portray Denise and Aaron during a dramatic moment from a 2020 RHOBH episode. That original scene was widely discussed at the time due to Aaron’s reportedly threatening behavior toward Denise. While no legal charges were filed, many viewers and castmates speculated about potential emotional manipulation or controlling behavior—sparking serious conversations about abuse and toxic relationships.

What has truly angered fans and advocacy groups is not just the reenactment itself, but the mocking tone Dodd and Leventhal used. The video shows them laughing, exaggerating dialogue, and parodying the original tension-laden moment—all while mimicking the physical dynamics of the controversial scene.

Reactions online were swift and overwhelmingly negative. One user wrote:

“This isn’t funny. You’re mocking a scene that may have involved real emotional abuse. You’ve crossed a line.”

Another fan added:

“There’s nothing entertaining about reenacting trauma—especially not with laughter and zero context. Victims of domestic violence deserve better.”

Several domestic abuse prevention advocates also chimed in, accusing Dodd of minimizing serious issues for cheap clicks. The backlash intensified as more people viewed the video and realized its implications, particularly in a time when many public figures are being held accountable for making light of abuse.

While Dodd is no stranger to controversy—having previously made headlines for her political views, COVID-related comments, and social media spats—critics say this incident is especially troubling because it involves trivializing real-life trauma.

As of now, neither Dodd nor Leventhal has issued an apology or official statement in response to the outrage. However, calls for accountability are growing. Some are demanding that she remove the video, apologize to Denise Richards, and donate to organizations supporting domestic violence survivors.

Others are going further, suggesting that Bravo and the Housewives franchise should distance themselves entirely from Dodd, who has not been a cast member since 2021. The controversy has reignited debate about the responsibility of reality TV personalities when it comes to addressing serious issues with empathy and awareness.

Whether Dodd will backtrack or double down remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: what was intended as a joke has turned into a moment of reckoning—both for her, and for how reality stars handle the weight of the stories they helped bring to light.