Vanderpump RulesReboot: The Real Reason Behind the Total Cast Shakeup and What Role Money Played (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

‘Vanderpump Rules’ season 11 stars (from left) Ally Lewber, Lala Kent, Katie Maloney, Lisa Vanderpump, Scheana Shay and Ariana Madix.Photo:Todd Williamson/Bravo via Getty

Todd Williamson/Bravo via Getty

It SUR came as a surprise to someVanderpump Rulesviewers that Bravo would berebooting the showfor season 12.

The network announced on Tuesday, Nov. 26, thatVanderpump Ruleswould be returning for a 12th season with a brand-new cast, aside from SUR and TomTom ownerLisa Vanderpump. While Bravo did not announce the names of the new stars, a release referred to them as “close-knit SUR-vers who are as complicatedly involved with one another as their iconic predecessors.”

A source close to the situation tells PEOPLE that the legacy cast — which includesJames Kennedy,Lala Kent,Ariana Madix,Katie Maloney,Scheana Shay,Tom SchwartzandTom Sandoval— learned about theVPRreboot one day prior to the news going public.

“They’re understandably upset that it’s all coming to an end, but no one was necessarily surprised,” the insider says. “It’s more relief that they finally have an answer.”

Since “there were so many fractions” among the cast following theseason 11 reunion, the source reveals that Bravo felt they needed to move on with a new group.

“There had been a long pause in production, and nothing had really changed among the cast since the reunion,” the source says. “Everyone was still stuck in their feelings and refusing to bend. The network felt there was no path forward with the group in that capacity.”

Lisa Vanderpump at the Hollywood Palladium on Jan. 17, 2024 in Los Angeles.River Callaway/Variety via Getty

River Callaway/Variety via Getty

It also didn’t help that “the group ties to SUR and Lisa was practically non-existent,” the source close to the situation notes, as most of the cast no longer worked at the L.A. restaurant.

“It just didn’t make sense to continue,” the source continues. “This is an attempt to recalibrate and bring the show back to the thing that made it such a success to begin with. It’s a fresh start, and the players they have are interested and motivated to participate. Fans will be happy with what they see. It’s going to feel like a return to form.”

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Kent, 34, Schwartz, 42, Shay, 39, and her husbandBrock Davieswill all appear on the upcoming season ofVPRspinoffThe Valley, while Sandoval, 42, will compete onseason 3 ofThe Traitorsand Madix, 39, continues to hostLove Island USA. Bravo will also be doing a season 11 retrospective special featuring the previous cast.

“The network isn’t closing the door on working with anyone in the future,” the source says. “They will always explore opportunities to bring these stars back to their screens.”

‘Vanderpump Rules’ vets Brock Davies and Scheana Shay at the season 10 reunion watch party.Noam Galai/Bravo via Getty Images

Noam Galai/Bravo via Getty Images

A second source insists that money did not play a factor in Bravo’s decision to start fresh, noting that the network opted for a reboot before discussions of salaries even began with the former cast members.

‘Vanderpump Rules’ cast (from left): Lala Kent, James Kennedy, Katie Maloney, Ariana Madix, Andy Cohen, Lisa Vanderpump, Tom Sandoval, Tom Schwartz, and Scheana Shay.Nicole Weingart/Bravo

Nicole Weingart/Bravo

Kentreacted to the newson Instagram on Tuesday, Nov. 25, calling SUR “a place that became home.”

“I have such mixed feelings right now,” shewrote. “It’s no secret I do not like change. This is the exception. I want to say thank you for rocking with us for so many years. This show changed my whole life. I’m unbelievably grateful for every moment. I’m unbelievably grateful for Bravo, for NBCU, for our crew, the entire cast, and most importantly all of you. We rocked this bitch until the wheels fell off 💃”

Madix failed to find the words to sum up her time on the show.

“There’s no post or caption that could ever encapsulate everything.” Madix, who began as guest on season 1 before becoming a series regular in season 2,wrote on InstagramNov. 26. “i am forever grateful to have been a part of such an incredible cultural phenomenon. thank you@bravo,@lisavanderpump,@evolutionmediafor every experience over the last 10+ years. thank you to every single crew member, producer, and our showrunners. seeing you guys every summer was like coming home to see family! that i will miss very much but you have my number so… just text me 😂.”

Maloney, 37, chimed in on her Instagram Stories Nov. 26, that she “wouldn’t change a thing” about her time on the show.“Thank you for the memories and the love the last 11 years,” she added.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Vanderpump Rulesseasons 1-11 are streaming on Peacock.

source: people.com