Vanderpump Rules new cast/ Season 12 Vanderpump Rules/ Lisa Vanderpump Bravo/ Scandoval aftermath/ SUR restaurant reality show/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Bravo’s hit reality show Vanderpump Rules will return for its 12th season with an entirely new cast, keeping only Lisa Vanderpump at the helm. The decision marks a significant shift after 11 seasons of drama involving the original SUR staff. The new season, featuring a fresh group of personalities, will begin production in 2025, with Bravo also planning a retrospective of the original series.
Vanderpump Rules: Fresh Faces, Same Drama
Quick Looks
- New Cast Announcement: Vanderpump Rules will introduce a completely new group of SUR employees for its 12th season.
- Lisa Vanderpump Stays On: The series’ namesake and iconic restaurateur will continue her role.
- Production Timeline: Filming begins in 2025, with a retrospective on the original series set to air next year.
‘Vanderpump Rules’ Shakes Things Up: New Cast, Same Lisa Vanderpump
Deep Look
Bravo has confirmed that Vanderpump Rules will undergo a major transformation for its 12th season, featuring a brand-new cast apart from its star and executive producer, Lisa Vanderpump. Known for its fiery drama and complicated relationships, the series will reintroduce viewers to a new ensemble of West Hollywood personalities working at Vanderpump’s iconic restaurant, SUR.
Why the Change?
While Bravo did not elaborate on its decision, the network hinted at the need for fresh dynamics, stating the new cast will be “as complicatedly involved with one another as their iconic predecessors.” After over a decade on air, the original cast had largely moved on from their roles at SUR, with many launching independent ventures and leaving behind the restaurant that was central to the show’s premise.
End of an Era
The original Vanderpump Rules cast gained notoriety for their tumultuous friendships and relationships, but it was the infamous “Scandoval” in 2023 that propelled the show to a broader audience. Tom Sandoval’s affair with co-star Rachel “Raquel” Leviss while in a long-term relationship with Ariana Madix became a pop culture phenomenon.
Despite its impact, the fallout from the scandal created lasting tensions among the cast. Madix refused one-on-one interactions with Sandoval during Season 11 filming, which Bravo later put “on pause” following declining group cohesion.
Fan Reactions and Cast Reflections
Several former cast members have shared their reactions to the recasting news. Ariana Madix posted on Instagram, “I don’t know that these were the best days of our lives, but they were definitely something special.”
Katie Maloney, reflecting on her turbulent time on the show, said, “It’s a mixed bag. But I wouldn’t change a thing. Thank you for the memories and the love the last 11 years.”
Meanwhile, Lala Kent took a more optimistic tone: “I have such mixed feelings right now. It’s no secret I do not like change. This is the exception.”
Kent and other alums like Kristen Doute and Tom Schwartz will make appearances in the spin-off series The Valley, which is set to premiere its second season next year.
A Legacy of Drama
First airing in 2013 as a spin-off of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Vanderpump Rules became a cultural touchstone, thanks to its mix of high-stakes drama and relatability. It followed the lives of young, attractive staff at SUR as they navigated personal relationships, career aspirations, and inevitable conflicts.
Notable moments included high-profile cheating scandals, shifting alliances, and business ventures. Cast members Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval, for example, launched two bars—TomTom with Vanderpump as a majority owner and the now-shuttered Schwartz & Sandy’s.
In recent years, the show also faced controversy. Kristen Doute and Stassi Schroeder were fired in 2020 for racially profiling a Black co-worker, and other cast members, including Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni, were let go for past racist tweets.
What’s Next for Vanderpump Rules?
While fans await the new cast, Bravo has promised to honor the legacy of the original series with a retrospective special set to air in 2025. Meanwhile, production on Season 12 will begin next year, offering viewers a fresh perspective on life at SUR.
As Vanderpump herself noted, “In the restaurant business, one shift always gives way to another.”
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