Secret Yelp reviews penned by prominent California politicians, including former Congresswoman Katie Porter and Senator Alex Padilla, have surfaced, showcasing a range of experiences from effusive praise to sharp criticism of local businesses and services.
The reviews, reportedly written by figures such as Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, former LAUSD chief Alberto Carvalho, and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, cover a variety of establishments including restaurants, massage parlors, and service providers. While many of these public figures offered five-star ratings, Porter's reviews stood out for their length and critical tone.
In 2017, Porter, who was then a candidate for governor, wrote an extended review of Massage Heights in Sherman Oaks. She expressed dissatisfaction with the business's management, alleging unfair treatment of employees and disruption for customers due to staff turnover. "If you want consistent good service, and want to patronize a place that treats employees with respect, I would never recommend this," Porter wrote, adding, "I cannot continue in good conscience to be a patron, even though it is a very convenient location and a nice facility."
Porter also provided less favorable reviews for Tony Pepperoni Pizzeria and Irvine Yellow Cab. Her July 2013 review of the pizza shop cited delivery issues, stating, "I ordered at 4:39. I am told 35-40 min. I call to check at 40 min. Driver on way. I call again at 5:31—52 minutes later." Despite the service complaint, she noted, "Pizza was decent when it arrived."
Her experience with Irvine Yellow Cab, which has since closed, was also negative. In a review detailing a pre-booked 6 a.m. taxi, Porter described significant delays and poor communication, leading her to scramble and nearly miss a flight. "I had a horrible experience with this company," she wrote. "Called the night before to book the cab for 6am. At 6:03, no cab so I called to check–'5 minutes away.'"
When asked about her reviews, Porter told The California Post, "The Yelp reviews are what they are."
Senator Alex Padilla also shared a critical review from September 2018 concerning a haircut his son received at a Great Clips in Northridge. He specifically named the stylist, "JESSICA," citing a "very bad attitude" and impatience with his son, along with what Padilla described as poor haircutting skills. "I do not recommend you let Jessica cut your hair or your child’s hair. And I hope she gets more training," he wrote. At the time of this review, Padilla was serving as California’s 32nd Secretary of State.
In contrast, Mayor Karen Bass, then a U.S. representative, and Councilwoman Nithya Raman, who was in a mayoral runoff, both left five-star reviews. Bass reviewed the UCLA Dental Practice and Amy’s Angels Cleaning, while Raman praised a cafe named Tea Drops. Other figures, including Siebel Newsom and former mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, offered simple five-star ratings for their experiences.