This Vanderpump Rules Star Almost Joined The Bachelor But Tom Sandoval Ruined Her Chances

   
Vanderpump Rules' Katie Maloney with three male cast members including Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval
Custom Image by César García

Summary

  • Kristen Doute almost appeared on The Bachelor before Vanderpump Rules started due to a casting card she received.
  • Most Vanderpump Rules cast members are in relationships, making them unlikely candidates for Bachelor Nation.
  • Kristen's choice to stay with Tom Sandoval likely saved her from being cast as a Bachelor villain, but eventually caused drama in their relationship.

Vanderpump Rules has been one of the most popular Bravo shows of the last decade, but one of its stars almost appeared on an entirely different franchise before the series even got off the ground. With Vanderpump Rules season 11 having come to an end and the series on a hiatus that could easily wind up being indefinite, the cast of the show has been discussing their time on the series with a bit more freedom. Even former cast members, some of which now appear on the spin-off series, The Valley, have been opening up about their Vanderpump Rules past.

"S omeone from The Bachelor came in and gave me a card"

On an episode of her podcast Balancing Act (via US Weekly), Kristen Doute shared that she was once nearly scouted to appear on The Bachelor long before Vanderpump Rules became a reality. Kristen shared that long before Vanderpump Rules, when she worked at SUR in its early years, “someone from The Bachelor came in and gave me a card and asked me to be a contestant on it.” While she likely would’ve been great as a Bachelor contestant, Kristen didn’t call the casting agent as she “had just started dating Tom Sandoval” and wanted to give the relationship a chance.

Should Any Vanderpump Rules Stars Join The Bachelor Franchise?

While most of the Vanderpump Rules cast is partnered up, a few standouts could potentially use Bachelor Nation's help to find a lasting love. With Scheana Shay and Brock Davies married, James Kennedy and Ally Lewber living together, and Kristen herself in a long-term relationship with her partner, Luke Broderick, they wouldn’t be in the running to become a part of the Bachelor franchise. Tom, whose catastrophic decision to cheat on his partner Ariana Madix with close friend Rachel “Raquel” Leviss during Vandeprump Rules season 10 led to major drama, took some time to himself before beginning a new relationship.

With Ariana coupled up with Daniel Wai, who joined her to begin her new Love Island USA hosting gig in Fiji, there are only a few options for cast members that could join Bachelor Nation. Though she may not be interested in the role, Katie Maloney would make an incredible Bachelorette. While she’s more subdued than some other cast members on Vanderpump Rules, Katie articulates herself and keeps an open mind, though she knows exactly what she wants in a relationship. After her divorce from Tom Schwartz, Katie would be fun to watch search for love as a potential Bachelorette.

Although Bachelor Nation could’ve had The Valley’s Kristen as a member of the family for years, the fact that she was dating Tom and continued in her relationship while working at SUR is probably for the best. Even though Kristen would’ve enjoyed herself on The Bachelor in the past, she likely would’ve been cast as the season's villain if she didn’t find herself developing a deep connection with the future Vanderpump villain himself. Even so, If Kristen had chosen The Bachelor over Vandeprump Rules, it’s likely Scandoval never would’ve rocked reality TV.

Vanderpump Rules is a reality-drama series created for Bravo that stars Lisa Vanderpump, a former star of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, as she expands her restaurant empire and staff. The cast consists of Lisa's staff members across her various establishments in West Hollywood as they try to build their futures and establish relationships that range from friendly to romantic. All of which frequently turn messy as mixing with business pleasure, as they are warned, doesn't always end well.