How Lisa Vanderpump Is Looking at Stassi Schroeder in a New Light

Lisa Vanderpump and Stassi Schroeder’s relationship has evolved since their “Vanderpump Rules” days.

The restaurateur shared her excitement about having her former employee make an appearance in “Vanderpump Villa” season 2, but this time, as a friend.

“It’s fun to have somebody to banter with. I can’t be as casual with my staff as I would be with a friend, so to speak,” Vanderpump told Us Weekly on April 17.

She revealed that Schroeder’s firing from “Vanderpump Rules” after season 8 for wrongfully naming Faith Stowers for a crime was out of her control.

“It was a difficult position for me. I wasn’t consulted. Everything was in such disarray,” she told the publication.

Vanderpump continued, “It was very poignant, because it was a sign of the times and her actions. The world is changing. I hate this cancellation policy — people are expected to be exemplary and not make mistakes. We all make mistakes. She did something totally inappropriate and learned from it.”

Vanderpump Announced Schroeder’s Return to Reality TV in 2024

Vanderpump made the surprising reveal that Schroeder was a part of “Vanderpump Villa” season 2 in a cheeky Instagram reel shared in August 2024.

“Well, hello there. I want to welcome you back to ‘Vanderpump Villa’ season 2,” Vanderpump said while holding a glass of champagne.

She continued, “Now, I am sitting here and I’m thinking, ‘What should I put on the menu?’ Any ideas?”

The camera panned to Schroeder, who answered, “Lisa, obviously goat cheese balls!” Vanderpump told her, “Excellent idea. Cheers! Welcome back, darling.”

Entertainment correspondent Brice Sander referenced one of Schroeder’s lines from “Vanderpump Rules” and wrote, “I don’t know what I’ve done to you, but I’ll take a Pinot Grigio to celebrate Stassi’s reality tv return.”

“Real Housewives” lover Chrissy Teigen replied, “YESSSSS!!!!”

Vanderpump & Schroeder Have Gotten Close Over the Years

Vanderpump and Schroeder have had a rocky history since the former waitress began working at SUR in 2010.

These days, they see each other regularly, and Vanderpump told E! News in January 2024, “I do keep in contact with her and she’s doing very well. Our children play together — well, my grandchild and her daughter. It’s all good.”

During a September 2024 appearance on “New York Live,” Schroeder said her relationship with Vanderpump was “so different.”

“I mean, she’s no longer my boss. And we’ve always had this relationship where, up and down, up and down, but like, mother-figurey at the same time,” the reality star explained.

Schroeder added, “But now that I’m older and I have two kids, we have a different relationship now. I think it’s really nice.”