Former Vanderpump Rules star Lala Kent is navigating life as a single mom and isn’t looking to get married, at least, not anytime soon.
The Context
Kent, the mother of two young daughters, shares much of her parenting life on social media and has opened up about the struggles of being a single mom. Kent had a very public breakup from Randall Emmett, the father of her oldest daughter, Ocean, in 2021, and said she’s frequently asked about her interest in dating.
Kent said when she met Emmett she was drinking a lot and ignored her gut instincts about the relationship. Had she not been drinking, she said it’s unlikely they would have been in a relationship. But, it also gave her perspective on what she wants out of life.
What to Know
Kent told NextGen NYC star Gia Giudice on her Casual Chaos podcast on Monday that she realized she’s not really interested in dating a ton. However, Kent said she is still interested in sexual relationships with men, although she wants to make sure her kids aren’t exposed to that side of her.
“I like sex. I think sex is very fun,” Kent said. “I enjoy that they leave after because I set that boundary. I give them an option, you can leave tonight or you have to be gone before 7 am because that’s when my daughter [Sosa] wakes up.”
Kent shares custody of her older daughter, Ocean, with Emmett, and she told Giudice that if Ocean is home, no one comes over and she doesn’t go out on dates. “That’s the boundary that I set and it has been awesome,” Kent said.
Kent told Giudice that it’s possible she finds the “right guy” someday and decides to settle down again, but said she’s living an “independent, happy, peaceful life,” that she doesn’t want to change. Still, when people asked if she wanted to be dating, she said she was giving people the response she thought they wanted, which was “yeah, I think I’ll start dating.” But, when she reflected on what she really wants, the answer is “no.”
“So, why would I go do something that I don’t want to do?” Kent asked Giudice.
Having dated Emmett, who is 19 years older than Kent, she said she won’t date anyone who is more than seven years older than her. But, the 35-year-old said there are challenges to her mentality toward only having casual relationship.
“I don’t want to get married and it’s very hard when I meet someone … who’s around my age I really have to let them know in a subtle way that I’m not looking for anything,” Kent said. “And if you’re looking to get married and have children one day, just know this is just for fun, I’m not going to be able to give you those things.”
Kent’s boundaries also extend to other parts of her life. Giudice noted that it seems like Kent is a very hands-on mom and asked how she balances work, being there for her kids and relationships with friends. Kent said her kids gave her “so much purpose” and she’s grateful that she’s been able to be there for “every single moment.” But, she also won’t take time away from her kids to do things that “aren’t necessary.”
If her friends want to have a girls dinner, Kent said she tells them it has to be on a weekend that she doesn’t have Ocean.
“She knows when mom’s around. She knows when mom’s putting her to bed,” Kent said. “I don’t have Ocean all the time.”
While her friends are telling her to put herself first and socialize, Kent said she wants to be with her kids when they wake up, get picked up from school and go to bed.
What Happens Next
Giudice complimented Kent for her ability to recognize what she wants and set those boundaries clearly. However, she floated the idea that Kent might meet someone out who changes her perspective.
“I think you are going to find your person,” Giudice said. “Maybe one day the guy will surprise you, but for right now, you’re protecting your peace and I think that’s awesome.”
Kent said she learned to never say never because there are things that happened in her life that she didn’t think she’d do, like having her second daughter via sperm donor. So, she’s not completely closed off to the possibility she finds someone one day.
