VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

As a seasoned observer of the tumultuous world of reality television, I must say that the lives of these Vanderpump Rules cast members seem to be more dramatic than any scripted soap opera. The tale of Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss, in particular, has been a rollercoaster ride filled with deceit, heartbreak, and unexpected twists.


Vanderpump Rules’ OG cast is reminiscing about the best days of their lives. 

Following the announcement by Bravo that season 12 of the series would focus on a new team at Lisa Vanderpump’s restaurants SUR and TomTom, several alumni like Ariana Madix, Lala Kent, Katie Maloney, and others couldn’t help but reminisce about their days of filming.

Ariana, who joined the main cast in season three of “Vanderpump Rules,” expressed her heartfelt gratitude on Instagram with a collection of throwback photos. She stayed up late searching for the perfect images and words, but she acknowledged that no post or caption could truly capture the experience. Regardless, she remains eternally grateful to be part of such an extraordinary cultural landmark.

She went on to express her gratitude particularly to the fans. “Over the past ten years, it’s been your unwavering love and support that has stood out the most,” she said, as she prepared for the ending. “Your presence is what I’ll miss the most about this coming to an end. You’ve played a significant role in shaping this show. To both the long-time fans and those who have recently joined us, it’s your dedication that has made it possible for us to continue.

39-year-old [she] is content with the recent developments and eager for what lies ahead. She summed up her feelings by saying, “I’m not certain these were the best times we had together, but they were undeniably unique and memorable.” [She] refers to Tom Sandoval in this context, as their relationship ended after season 10 when he was discovered to be having an affair with Rachel “Raquel” Leviss.

Kristen Doute, who appeared in the initial eight seasons and is currently featured in the spinoff “The Valley”, expressed her gratitude for the friendships she’s formed through the show under Ariana’s post. In her words, “I am so thankful because without it, would we have crossed paths?!” The 40-year-old continued, “Here’s to reminiscing about the past and creating new memories together.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

Meanwhile, for Lala, who made her debut in season four, the news is bittersweet. 

At this moment, I’m experiencing a blend of emotions, as I recall our past experiences together while filming. Change isn’t typically welcome, but in this case, it is. So, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for sticking with us throughout all these years. This show has been instrumental in shaping my life. I can’t find the words to adequately convey how grateful I am for each and every moment.

In their words about their experience on the show, they expressed, “We dominated this place until it wore out.

On November 26, Katie shared a past promotional photo on her Instagram Stories. She had met her former spouse, Tom Schwartz, through the show. In her post, she kept her thoughts concise: “A mix of feelings, but I wouldn’t alter anything. Thanks for the memories and love spanning over 11 years.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

As for what we can expect in the new season?

According to a recent press release from the network, under Lisa Vanderpump’s careful supervision, SUR (West Hollywood’s iconic restaurant) and TomTom are ready to welcome a new group of servers, hosts, and bartenders, who are sure to bring plenty of drama, relationships, and friendships that may not always be friendly. Moreover, the show, Vanderpump Rules, will mark its ten-year anniversary by airing a special retrospective episode that recaps the last 11 seasons’ worth of heartaches, friendship disputes, and scandals.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

However, the changeup wasn’t entirely unexpected given that Tom had been involved with Rachel, who was previously engaged to James Kennedy. This tumultuous relationship marked seasons 10 and 11 and eventually culminated in a dramatic conclusion. Despite the cast reuniting for season 11, the finale seemed more like a goodbye to Vanderpump Rules.

In my line of work as a lifestyle expert, I’ve found that maintaining boundaries is crucial for personal growth. As I shared with Will Marfuggi from TopMob News in September, my relationships with certain cast members have come to an end, and I no longer engage with any of them. If you wish to know more about their perspectives, I would advise reaching out to them directly.

While we eagerly anticipate further updates regarding season 12, here’s an in-depth analysis of the dramatic split between Tom and Ariana.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

Following the breakup of Tom Sandoval‘s turbulent relationship with fellow cast member Kristen Doute, Ariana Madix became a part of the Vanderpump Rules series during its second season. Back then, Kristen claimed that Tom and Ariana had been romantically involved while she and Tom were still a couple. In response to this accusation, Ariana famously said, “I’m more intelligent than you. I’m more attractive than you. Just move on.

Both Tom and Ariana denied the allegations, though he later admitted that the pair had made out in a pool while they were both in Las Vegas. 

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

At the season two reunion, it was officially acknowledged that Ariana and I had been seeing each other. “Indeed, we’ve been spending time together,” I shared. “And things between us have been going splendidly.” On the very same evening that episode was broadcasted, the SUR bartenders, including myself and Ariana, made our budding relationship public on Instagram.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

In the third season, Kristen mentioned that a lady contacted her on Instagram, asserting she had been intimate with Tom when he was in Miami with both Jax Taylor and Tom Schwartz. Kristen actually invited this woman to SUR to discuss the matter with Tom and Ariana, but the couple appeared unconvinced by the allegations, with Tom maintaining that he hadn’t been unfaithful to Ariana.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

Following an encounter with DJ James Kennedy at a New Year’s Eve gathering, beauty pageant competitor and student Raquel Leviss first appeared on “VPR” during its fifth season premiere. Subsequently, two years passed, and the pair decided to share a home together, despite several SUR employees asserting that James had been unfaithful to Raquel while they were dating. At that point, James refuted these allegations. Later on, Raquel joined the “Vanderpump Rules” cast as a regular in season nine after she started working at SUR as a waitress.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

Tom and Ariana made their initial purchase on a shared residence, located in Valley Village, California, marking their departure from their previous West Hollywood apartment, which had become notorious due to its peculiar issue: it was impossible to operate both the air conditioner and microwave simultaneously without triggering a power outage.

A farming-style house with five bedrooms and five-and-a-half baths, spanning approximately 4,500 square feet, was bought by the pair at a cost slightly over $2 million, as reported on Bravo TV.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

James asked Raquel to marry him during a Coachella-style proposal, which was filmed by Bravo and broadcasted in October.

James popped the question at the famous Empire Polo Fields of ‘RACHELLA’ on a Friday night… and to my delight, I responded with a resounding YES! I can hardly contain my excitement – I feel like I’m floating on cloud nine. Similarly, he shared the wonderful news on social media, saying, “The love of my life, said yes.

During an episode of VPR, it was disclosed later on that Tom Sandoval contributed towards the extravagant engagement costs. In his own words, he stated, “James and I shared the $25k, as there’s nothing more fulfilling for me than aiding a friend in realizing their cherished dreams.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

Five years into their relationship, James and Raquel called off their engagement, surprising everyone a week following the filming of the season nine reunion.

After five wonderful years spent together, we realized that our goals have diverged and chose to end our engagement, as expressed in a mutual statement on our respective Instagram accounts. Although our affection remains strong, our romantic feelings no longer do. We wish nothing but happiness for one another, so we kindly ask that any thoughts you express are positive.

Raquel later revealed why she chose to end their relationship. 

She clarified during the January 7 episode of the Scheananigans with Scheana Shay podcast that her family and him were not getting along harmoniously. The prospect of celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays became uncertain, as it seemed like either James or her own family would be excluded. If a baby was involved in the future, this tension became even more pronounced. Looking ahead at this potential future and recognizing what it all pointed to, she expressed her discomfort, stating, “I don’t want that.

In March 2022, James made it public that he was dating Ally Lewber on Instagram, and she has since become a part of the show.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

Approximately a month following Katie Maloney and Tom Schwartz’s announcement of their separation after 12 years as a couple, news broke that Schwartz was seen passionately kissing Raquel at the Coachella festival.

Contrarily, the co-owner of Schwartz & Sandy swiftly corrected the misunderstanding. In a tweet, he clarified that he hadn’t been present at Coachella.

Raquel was present at the music event, shared pictures on Instagram of herself with Tom Sandoval and Ariana, and labeled one of the selfies with Sandoval as being on an island for the caption.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

Despite Schena Shay’s grand wedding to Brock Davies in Cancun, Mexico being the main event, speculations about a kiss shared between Schwartz and Raquel during the ceremony overshadowed the news. A sneak peek from the season 10 trailer suggested that the encounter indeed took place, and Schwartz later confessed that his relationship with Raquel had shifted from friendship to something more like a flirtatious entanglement post-wedding.

Schwartz shared with Erin Lim Rhodes from TopMob News in October that he and Raquel have developed a strong bond. He expressed his admiration for her, stating that as they’ve grown closer, he has discovered new aspects of her personality he wasn’t aware of before. He was surprised to find out how humorously Raquel can be and how sharp her wit is.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

In the midst of her continuing disagreement with Katie over her relationship with Schwartz, Raquel’s choice to don a TomTom sweater at BravoCon on October 17 raised some eyebrows.

Raquel shared on Instagram that she wore her TomTom sweatshirt during Day 3 of BravoCon mainly for its cozy feel, but she also wanted to show support for both Toms. She invited people to visit their booth to see more of their adorable merchandise. Raquel enjoys expressing her friendship by staying comfortable, and she added the hashtags “#sue me” and “#number one Tom Stan.

For Halloween, Sandoval donned a Raquel look at BravoCon, sporting a sweatshirt, blonde wig, and sunglasses. He posted a picture of himself in costume on Instagram Stories with the caption, “Raquel needs to quit showing up at TomTom; it’s becoming a source of embarrassment.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

Ariana clarified the rumors suggesting her and Tom are in an “open relationship,” a topic hinted at in the thrilling Season 10 trailer.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I want to clarify that my relationship isn’t open and I’m not as flexible in romantic matters as some might assume. This point should have been self-evident, but just to make it clearer: being bisexual doesn’t automatically mean being polyamorous. I hope this sheds some light on the distinction.

In the sneak peek, it was mentioned that Raquel has feelings for Tom Schwartz, as she confessed, “I have strong feelings for Schwartz.” Additionally, the clip showed Raquel kissing Oliver Saunders, son of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Garcelle Beauvais, and going on dates with recurring cast member Peter Madrigal.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

On March 3rd, a shockwave swept through the Bravo community as it became public knowledge that Tom Sandoval and Ariana had ended their nine-year relationship. A source close to the situation disclosed to TopMob News that filming was underway among the cast at the time, implying that the unfolding events may soon be featured in the ongoing 10th season of the Bravo series.

Following the revelation that Tom and Raquel were allegedly involved in a months-long affair, their separation occurred, which was met with sympathy from Scheana, Katie, and Kristen as they visited Ariana’s home. Moreover, Kristen, bearing flowers and a bottle of wine, posted a selfie video on her Instagram Stories alongside Ariana, expressing support by stating, “I stand by Ariana. This is happening right now.

In the evening of the same day, Tom performed at a concert alongside his band, Tom Sandoval & the Most Extras, right here in Anaheim, California.

At the performance, numerous spectators in the crowd vocalized “Cheater, cheater!” when Tom appeared on stage, as depicted in a TikTok clip. He chose not to respond, but following someone’s yell of “Ariana!”, he spoke into the microphone saying, “We adore her.” Additionally, another observer shared with TopMob News that the audience also chanted “Jerk” in his vicinity.

After announcing their separation, Ariana removed her Instagram account, and, contrary to rumors, Tom’s representative confirmed to TopMob News exclusively that the reality star hasn’t left the shared residence they own together.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

On March 4, Tom Sandoval used Instagram to speak up about the criticism his Schwartz and Sandy’s employees have faced following the recent news events.

“Hey, I fully understand and deserve ur anger & disappointment towards me, but please leave [Tom] Schwartz, my friends and family out of this situation,” he wrote on Instagram. “This was a very personal thing.”

Tom continued by expressing, “They are innocent in this situation,” and then he went on to say, “I deeply regret that my actions have caused distress for Greg, Brett, Schwartz, and our team members. In light of this, I will be temporarily receding from my position out of consideration for my employees and partners. I require some time to handle the other matters at hand. I apologize sincerely for everything.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

On the 7th of March, Tom publicly apologized directly to Ariana during the heat of the affair scandal. In a statement he shared on Instagram on the same day, he said, “I want to extend my deepest apologies primarily to Ariana. I made errors, acted selfishly, and made rash decisions that caused harm to someone I hold dear. No one should have to endure such intense pain, especially not in such a public manner.

The TomTom co-owner expressed his sympathy, saying he could only imagine how terrible this situation must be for Ariana and those close to her. He admitted feeling deeply sorry about it, and his greatest remorse is that he has let Ariana down. He never intended to cause so much disappointment among many people, including their dear families and friends.

Oh, man, I’m absolutely crushed by how things turned out! I let my emotions get the best of me, which isn’t the person I strive to be. I’ll keep pondering over this, learning, and growing. There’s always room for self-improvement in my book – yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

A short while after Tom’s declaration, Raquel publicly apologized to Ariana on her Instagram post from March 8th. In the post, she expressed remorse for both her behavior and decisions, acknowledging Ariana, her friends, and their supporters who care about their relationships. She stated that there is no justification, she is not a victim, and she assumes responsibility for her actions. She also admitted to feeling regret for causing harm to Ariana.

She shared, “I’m currently examining my decisions and discussing them with a counselor. I’ve discovered aspects of myself like my tendencies towards codependency and an addiction to feeling loved. In the past, I’ve sought emotional validation through relationships that weren’t beneficial for me or others, sometimes at the expense of my own well-being. Now, I’m focusing on understanding my actions better and making healthier choices.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

Lisa Vanderpump, Tom and Raquel’s boss, had an open conversation with Andy Cohen on March 8th’s edition of ‘Watch What Happens Live’. She expressed her shock, using words like “gobsmacked” and “flabbergasted”, stating that she was left speechless upon hearing the news. In essence, she didn’t anticipate this development; nobody did.

In simpler terms, LVP emphasizes that the most surprising aspect of this scandal is that their relationship had been secretly ongoing for quite some time, unbeknownst to others.

Speaking about Ariana, Lisa expressed her deep sadness, saying “I’m heartbroken. I’ve shed a lot of tears. Ariana was our rock – the ultimate loyal friend. It appears that Raquel was more the ‘ride’ friend, while Ariana was the one who would ‘die’ for us – things aren’t looking great.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

On March 11, Tom Schwartz finally spoke up to TMZ about when he learned of his close friend’s affair with Raquel, clearing up speculation among many fans about the timeline.

He expressed that he was genuinely feeling down due to the harm it caused our company. However, he remains hopeful that rationality will win out, and he intends to carry on with his usual resilience.

Personally, I can’t help but feel concerned about Sandoval in light of the recent backlash. From what I gather, he seems to be holding up, albeit with a heavy heart. The weight of sorrow upon him is palpable, as it should be. I believe he views himself as less than ideal and, to some extent, perhaps he is. He’s painfully aware that he made a mistake, and the entire situation is just terribly unfortunate.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

On the episode of “Watch What Happens Live” aired on March 15th, Katie Maloney expressed that she wasn’t completely taken aback by the Tom-Raquel cheating scandal. However, she found the specifics of the situation quite surprising.

Apart from the breakup, she provided information about how Ariana is currently doing. In summary, she appears to be in a positive mental state. She’s focusing on self-care. Yesterday, I had the chance to see her, and it seems we both share her enthusiasm because she’s quite enthusiastic herself.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

Following around two weeks of no comment regarding the dispute, Ariana eventually expressed her thoughts about the split in an Instagram post dated March 15th.

36-year-old writes: “I truly appreciate the immense love and encouragement I’ve been shown by friends, family, and strangers over the past fortnight. When I thought I couldn’t carry on, you all have provided the resilience needed, guiding me through my toughest times.

Ariana emphasized, ‘Being shattered and heartbroken doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel.’ She acknowledged that she isn’t going through this difficult time alone; many of her dearest friends are also grappling with the same loss and feeling betrayed. Ariana expressed gratitude for having an incredible support system and hopes she can return the love and kindness that everyone has shown her.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

In the midseason trailer for Season 10, Bravo unveiled the initial scenes of Scandoval. These scenes captured the heated conversation between Tom and Ariana following their affair, where Ariana angrily demanded that Tom should face consequences for his infidelity with Raquel, expressing this sentiment by telling him to essentially wish for his own demise.

In a different wording, Tom said, “I wish we had both put more effort in,” but Ariana retorted sharply, “You don’t deserve even a single tear from me.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

On March 23rd, Andy Cohen hosted a heated season 10 reunion of VPR, where the entire cast challenged Tom and Raquel over their affair. According to an insider at TopMob News, the atmosphere was extremely tense during the reunion, causing Andy to intervene by separating two cast members to prevent a physical altercation from occurring.

Later on his April 3rd radio broadcast, Andy stated, “It was a significant moment of accountability. Rest assured, you’ll hear their story. If you’re expecting them to be directly challenged about their actions in a forceful or confrontational way, that’s exactly what will happen.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

Bravo revealed the cast’s reunion looks on April 3, including Ariana’s red-hot revenge dress.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

During a shocking interview on Watch What Happens Live, held on April 5th, Tom Schwartz disclosed that he learned Sandoval and Leviss had their first encounter romantically as far back as August of the previous year, before things escalated further. He went on to state, “From my perspective, it transformed into an emotional entanglement, which is still unacceptable.

Schwartz asserted that his close friend confided in him back in January, revealing his deep affection for Leviss, even though he was still involved with Madix. He described Sandoval’s emotions towards Leviss as a profound and intense obsession.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

Over a month since the public revelation of their multi-month relationship, it has been confirmed by a source to TopMob News on April 14th that Raquel sought help at a healthcare facility for her mental wellbeing.

According to her representative, Raquel and her family had planned for months that she needed mental health care, which eventually led to her choosing a voluntary counseling facility. Originally scheduled to go before reuniting with the cast, she decided to complete her filming obligations first. Bravo and production were informed and supportive of her pursuit of better mental health.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

Over the Coachella 2023 weekend, which took place from April 14th to 16th, Ariana appeared to have moved on from Tom as she was seen affectionately with fitness trainer Daniel Wai. This sweet moment unfolded at the annual California festival.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

In the thrilling climax of VPR’s tenth season, Tom and Raquel expressed their love for each other openly for the first time, amidst the repercussions of the affair. They also talked about their future plans together following the controversy.

He admitted, “I can’t tell what will happen in the future regarding us two. It could go either way with Raquel and me. However, when I kissed her, I felt a glimmer of hope, as if to say, ‘Hold on, you still have your prime ahead. Perhaps it hasn’t even started yet.’

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

In another finale bombshell, Tom admitted to cheating on Ariana prior to his affair with Raquel.

In a candid conversation with Scheana Shay, she inquired, “Apart from the Miami incident, have you ever been unfaithful to Ariana before?”, to which he responded, “Yes, there was another occasion.

Her reaction? “You’re sick,” she said. “Just a random person?”

Initially, Tom said yes, but then he hesitantly corrected himself by saying “well, no” and declined to disclose further information.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

A day following the final episode, Ariana spoke candidly about transitioning with her new partner, Daniel Wai, in an interview on the TODAY program.

Ariana expressed on May 18 that she was having a great time and was extremely happy. She encountered him approximately ten days later at a wedding, without any specific expectations. Since then, she has been moving cautiously and savoring every moment. It’s truly enjoyable to converse with someone who is so considerate, kind, pleasant, and compassionate.

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

On May 24th, Alex Baskin, producer at VPR, firmly dismissed speculations that Tom and Raquel were having a baby, despite their relationship’s complications.

“The pregnancy one was wild,” Baskin told Page Six. “She’s not pregnant by the way.”

VPR’s Ariana Madix, Lala Kent & More React to Season 12 Cast Shakeup

On June 7, during their reunion meeting, Raquel finally met Ariana after the controversy, offering a heartfelt apology laden with emotion.

She confessed, “I feel deeply embarrassed and ashamed for being able to hide this secret from someone who has always stood by my side. Ariana, I truly regret my actions and can’t imagine the hurt I’ve inflicted upon you. I’ve been incredibly self-centered, and while that word might seem inadequate, it barely scratches the surface of the state of mind I’ve been in. My behavior was wrong.

Ariana firmly rejected the comment made by stating, “Your words lack sincerity, young lady. Your actions are more appropriately described as malicious, deranged, despicable, inhumane. Find a richer vocabulary to express your behavior because ‘selfish’ falls far short.

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2024-11-27 00:21