Will 'Vanderpump Rules' Season 12 Be Its Last or Can a Major Shakeup Save It?

Where in the world is Vanderpump Rules? The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills spinoff hit record-breaking heights in 2022, with a cheating scandal between Tom Sandoval and Rachel Leviss (cheekily coined "Scandoval") breaking through the zeitgeist in ways few reality shows have been able to. A quick turnaround for Season 11 followed, and while ratings remained impressive, fan response was middling as the cast seemed to resent breakout star Ariana Madix for maintaining boundaries with her ex Sandoval while filming.

The show has come a long way from its beginnings as a series focused on the employees at Lisa Vanderpump's restaurant SUR. The following years have seen this friend group go through cheating scandals, marriages, divorces and more, leaving many to wonder just how much gas this show has left in the tank. Will Ariana and Tom ever film together again? Where do Lala Kent and Ariana stand? Will the show get cancelled or completely revamped?

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Here's everything we know about Vanderpump Rules and a potential Season 12:

Will Vanderpump Rules return for Season 12?

As of now, we still don't know whether Vanderpump Rules will return for Season 12. Per a recent report from The Daily Mail, despite its ratings success, the show's future remains "uncertain." The biggest hold-up? Some of the stars seeking a bigger payday, according to a source close to the show.

"They're still negotiating with a few stars who are holding out for more money and are unwilling to compromise," a source told the outlet. Another source then said that the upcoming 12th season may be its last, serving as an official "farewell" season for the show. "There's so many issues between various cast members, and it's no longer an organic group of friends that want to hang out with each other," the source said.

At the end of last season, the cast was more fractured than ever, as exes Madix and Sandoval made no headway towards a friendship after the latter's shocking betrayal. Unlike Season 10, however, other castmembers were also at odds with Madix. It all led to a fourth wall-shattering reunion, centered around how the series can move forward if Madix refuses to acknowledge Sandoval, especially on a show that was essentially built on countless cheating scandals.

Related: A Guest From Phaedra Parks' Past Crashes the 'Married to Medicine' Cast Trip in Wild Season 11 Trailer

When does Vanderpump Rules come back?

Bravo has yet to announce when Vanderpump Rules will return, and filming has yet to begin. That means a late 2025 premiere date would be the earliest the show could return.

Who is in the cast of Vanderpump Rules Season 12?

While the cast of Season 12 (if we even get a Season 12) has not been announced yet, here are the key players likely to return.

Lisa Vanderpump

Vanderpump Rules remains the former Real Housewife's kingdom, even if the entire cast stopped working at her restaurant SUR years ago. Vanderpump is still the matriarchal figure in this world, offering business and personal advice as this friend group tries (and often fails) to come together as one.

Ariana Madix

Season 10 made her one of the biggest reality stars in the genre, and rightfully so. The "Scandoval" moment rocked pop culture, with viewers supporting Madix through one of the most devastating reality TV moments. Since then, Madix's star has just kept rising and rising, with her landing a starring role in Chicago on Broadway, twirling to third place on Dancing with the Stars and even hosting Peacock's Love Island USA.

Tom Sandoval

If Ariana came out of Scandoval the hero, Sandoval emerged as the villain of all villains. He cheated on Madix with Rachel Leviss in Season 10, and Leviss did not return for the most recent season. Season 11 saw Sandoval try to repair his friendships with the friend group, with some warming up to him more than others. As Madix made explicitly clear in the Season 11 reunion, there is little to no hope of reconciliation between the two, leaving us to wonder if and how the show would move forward with both of them.

Tom Schwartz

Season 11 saw Schwartz, Sandoval's right-hand man, dealing with the fallout of Scandoval and his proximity to it, while also reckoning with his divorce from Katie Maloney.

Katie Maloney

Katie Maloney entered Season 11 with a stronger-than-ever bond with her business partner and bestie Ariana. As the two prepared for the opening of their sandwich shop "Something About Her," Maloney navigated the always rocky dynamics with her ex Schwartz, while officially diving into the dating pool.

Lala Kent

For years Lala Kent made herself known as one of the most outspoken cast members on Pump Rules, and Season 11 was no exception. As she worked through the loss of her friendship with Sandoval, her friendship with Ariana was put to the test, leading to a shocking reunion where Kent questioned Madix's actions on and off camera throughout the season.

For now, it seems that Kent and Madix's relationship is irreparable. When she was recently asked about her relationship with Ariana, she told Sirius host Jeff Lewis, "We don't have one." Yikes.

Scheana Shay

The cast member most stuck in the middle post-Scandoval was OG Scheana Shay, who was close with both Sandoval and Ariana. While Shay tried her best to rebuild some sort of relationship with Tom in Season 11, this naturally strained her once-close bond with Madix, all while Shay navigated life as a mom and wife.

James Kennedy

The new "number 1 guy in the group," DJ James Kennedy became a fan favorite after years on the reality series. Serving as the voice of reason, Kennedy successfully held his costars accountable while also opening up his personal life and relationship with Ally Lewber to the audience.