Lisa Vanderpump, 64, who helped launch Vanderpump Rules and served as executive producer since the reality show’s debut in 2013, may soon see her role significantly scaled back, according to a recent report in realityblurb.com. Speculation over the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills alum’s future with the show that’s literally named after her intensified after author Thea de Sousa suggested that Bravo is looking to minimize her involvement when Vanderpump Rules returns for its 12th season.
“I heard … Bravo has been trying to push Lisa Vanderpump out of the show,” De Sousa told The U.S. Sun on October 28. De Sousa, who authored The Unofficial Vanderpump Rules Ultimate Trivia Book, claimed that both Vanderpump’s salary and her connection to the cast’s changing dynamic may factor into the decision. “Her relevancy, with the cast having moved on from her restaurants,” is less impactful than it was in earlier seasons, she said.
Initially, Vanderpump Rules centered around the young staff working at Vanderpump’s SUR Lounge in West Hollywood. But as the cast has aged and moved into new ventures, no members of the original group remain employees there, which has shifted the show’s original premise.
The report also revealed that Bravo has faced rising costs in maintaining the cast, with stars like Ariana Madix, 39, reportedly earning around $600,000 annually. “You can imagine how completely just underwater Bravo is in terms of paying this cast, and that’s been the issue since spring,” De Sousa said. She suggested that the financial strain led to a delayed start to filming, as the network was reportedly reworking contracts to manage costs.
A Bravo spokesperson denied any intention to demote main cast members, stating, “There is absolutely no truth to this reporting.” Still, viewers noticed Vanderpump’s limited appearances in season 11, where she was primarily featured in brief scenes at her home.
Despite the rumors, Vanderpump has indicated that she’s ready to return, previously telling The U.S. Sun, “We’ll be back.” Fans await confirmation on her role and the show’s cast lineup as production on season 12 ramps up.
