Claws are out in Lydia Schiavello and Chyka Keebaugh RHOM feud

The spicy details behind the decade-long Melbourne Real Housewives feuds — and one isn’t holding back on the latest drama.

Nothing brings more guilty escapism delight to many a cooped-up Melburnian in lockdown than a fat-storm brouhaha between warring Housewives.

On refreshed face value it all seemed like a case of a bad Photoshop gone awry this week. Former OG cast member Lydia Schiavello posted a “throwback” 2014 picture of herself looking slimmed to perfection, resulting in Chyka Keebaugh looking well, well-morphed, alongside Pettifleur Berenger and Janet Roach.

Slimming filters will do that to the untrained eye.

The Real Housewives of Melbourne cast when Schiavello and Keebaugh both appeared. Picture: Martin Philbey

“Fat shaming” cries on social media from Chyka’s savvy daughter, Chessie, later were enough for our Melbourne Housewives to sharpen their manicured claws.

The WhatsApp group messages between Housewives and RHOM production team are currently at fever pitch – photos of a well-morphed Photoshopped Lydia are now doing the rounds.

Page 13 just couldn’t resist digging deeper into the spicy detail. Because underneath the Botoxed lines, the feud and factions between our Melbourne divas have been simmering — make that erupting — for years.

It doesn’t go so far back as a decade or more ago when all the whispers were about just who was caught out getting up to the ol’ hanky panky in the trusty Range Rover in the Mt Buller chalet carpark, while respective partners were still on the slopes.

The doozy between Lydia and Chyka (Housewives aren’t big on surnames) all began when the Real Housewives of Melbourne first signed on for season one.

Rhino’d noses were again put out of joint when it was declared Chyka would play the pillar of cooking, decorating and interior queen. It seemed the natural fit to the Big Group catering maven.

The deliberately morphed picture of Lydia Schiavello now being sent around.

The photo that caused the drama.

This derailed Lydia’s long-held plans of becoming Australia’s next Nigella Lawson. A rivalry soon began between the domestic goddesses — the salty seasoning would be added some seasons later.

What isn’t widely known is that our Housewives sure ain’t joining the franchise for the coin. Page 13 was told they do it on the smell of an “oily rag”, well a $25,000 to $30,000 designer oily rag salary, for their efforts each season. It’s well understood the reality show should be used as a vehicle to push their brand, find opportunities and things to flog.

Before you tsk tsk, these gals have got to keep maintained. Hair, make-up and clothing come at a price and, as one cast member frankly put it, “that’s f---ing expensive to keep up.”

Many say Lydia was the reason behind Chyka leaving in season three. She had overstepped the mark and, as one said, was “muzzled.”

Janet Roach also has a beef with Schiavello and wasn’t holding back.

Lydia’s ally, the normally fully frank Gina Liano wasn’t entering into the discussion when we called, while Lydia has gone underground.

OG Housewife Janet Roach wasn’t telling tales, either, when we phoned, but did maintain the girls had always had a pact that “partners and children were out of bounds”.

“As well it should be,” said Janet. “Lydia kept stepping out of line. She is obviously just a very insecure person and looking for some kind of relevance and now she’s got FOMO.”

Janet still has beef with Lydia. She says it was “the lies” that Lydia kept telling about her which prompted her to name-call and fat-shame — something she regrets now.

“Lydia made stories up about me, too, and that’s when I called her a “dumb fat bitch”.

“I got upset because she was running about telling stories about me that were completely untrue.

“That’s why she fell out with some of the girls, too.

“But I don’t think she is bad.

“I think she … mucked up.”

Janet says Lydia should have just owned it and apologised before things blew up, and we don’t mean Chyka’s distorted waistline.

“Chyka left the show because of Lydia – the things she did to Chyka were vicious – and you know what, people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones,” Roach said.

“I think Ly-diot was just trying to make herself look slim. Here is me being all generous of spirit.”

Christ, even by our standards that take-down is not how we would describe generous of spirit. But that’s our Melbourne Housewives for you. Keep the popcorn out, this show ain’t over anytime soon.