Andy Cohen Breaks Silence on Vanderpump Rules’ Shocking Cast Reboot

As I delve deeper into the tangled web of this reality TV drama, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of empathy for Ariana. She’s been through the wringer, and it’s clear that her resilience is truly something to behold.

Andy Cohen is raising a glass to Vanderpump Rules‘ major cast overhaul.

Approximately a week has passed since it was announced that the popular Bravo show would be changing all its veteran actors for the upcoming 12th season, and now, for the first time, the host of Watch What Happens Live has voiced their thoughts on this unexpected transformation.

During the recent December 2nd episode of my SiriusXM show, Andy Cohen Live, I enthusiastically expressed my thoughts: “The news that Bravo is reworking the show is nothing short of brilliant!” I must admit, I’m thoroughly impressed with how they managed to keep it going for approximately four years, even as none of them were actively working at SUR anymore.

Additionally, Andy noted that the central theme of the show evolved over time, and it turned out that James Kennedy was the most significant figure at SUR because he occasionally DJed there, has since moved on to a residency in Vegas, and is now thriving, while they all are achieving success beyond SUR.

Furthermore, Andy feels that the controversial season 11 finale, where Ariana symbolically ended her journey alongside several co-stars, was an ideal farewell.

He pointed out that the final episode from the previous season seemed more like a series finale when you watched the last 10-15 minutes. In other words, it wrapped things up nicely. So, he offered his congratulations.

Keep reading for a full lookback at the Scandoval drama that led to the VPR reboot.

Andy compared the recasting to the total transformation Bravo undertook with “The Real Housewives of New York City” following season 13.

As I’ve consistently mentioned, RHONY was a remarkable and cherished series for 13 seasons. Just like any long-running show, it eventually reached a point where change was necessary. This is what appears to be happening with Vanderpump Rules, and I must say, I’m genuinely impressed with the cast. The team behind the scenes and those on the show have always remained true to themselves, which is what made the show so captivating, season after season.

Moreover, Andy holds the opinion that the controversial season 11 finale, where Ariana symbolically closed a phase of her life with several co-stars, was an ideal farewell gesture.

He pointed out that the final episode from the previous season seemed to be a fitting conclusion for the entire series, especially the last ten or five minutes. In other words, it was brilliantly wrapped up. Therefore, he extended his heartfelt congratulations.

Keep reading for a full lookback at the Scandoval drama that led to the VPR reboot.

Following the breakup of Tom Sandoval‘s tumultuous relationship with fellow cast member Kristen Doute, Ariana Madix was added to the roster in season two of Vanderpump Rules. At that point, Kristen accused Tom and Ariana of having an affair while she and Tom were still a couple. “I’m more intelligent than you,” Ariana famously retorted. “I’m more attractive than you. Just move on.

Tom and Ariana both initially refuted the accusations; however, Tom later confessed that the two of them had shared a kiss in a pool during their time in Las Vegas.

At the season two reunion, I couldn’t contain my excitement as Tom and Ariana admitted they were an item! When Tom shared, “We’ve definitely been spending time together,” and added, “Things have been fantastic,” my heart skipped a beat! In sync with the episode’s airing that very night, these SUR bartenders made their relationship official on Instagram, leaving me beaming with joy.

In the third season, Kristen asserted that a lady contacted her on Instagram, stating she had previously liaised with Tom when he was in Miami alongside Jax Taylor and Tom Schwartz. Kristen subsequently introduced this woman at SUR to challenge Tom and Ariana about their infidelity claims, but the couple dismissed the accusations, with Tom maintaining his innocence concerning cheating on Ariana.

Following an encounter with DJ James Kennedy at a New Year’s Eve celebration, contestant and student Raquel Leviss first appeared on VPR (Vanderpump Rules) during the fifth season premiere. Two years down the line, the duo decided to share a living space together, amidst allegations from several SUR employees suggesting they had been involved romantically while James was dating Raquel. At that point, James refuted these claims. Later on, when she started working at SUR as a waitress, Raquel became a permanent cast member of Vanderpump Rules during its ninth season.

Tom and Ariana purchased their initial residence jointly in Valley Village, California, marking their departure from the West Hollywood apartment, which had an unusual issue: both the air conditioner and microwave could not operate simultaneously without resulting in a power failure.

The couple purchased the five-bedroom, five-and-a-half bathroom, 4,500-square-foot farmhouse-style property for just over $2 million, according to Bravo TV.

James planned a unique Coachella-style proposal for Raquel, capturing the moment on camera for Bravo to broadcast in October.

James popped the question at the renowned Empire Polo Fields of ‘RACHELLA’ on a Friday night… and guess what? I said YES! I can hardly contain my excitement, I feel like I’m floating above Coachella! James also shared the happy news on social media, posting, “My beloved, you said yes!

During an episode of VPR, it came to light that Tom Sandoval contributed towards the cost of an extravagant engagement. He clarified, “James and I shared the $25k, as there’s nothing more fulfilling for me than assisting a friend in realizing their cherished dream.

James and Raquel called off their engagement, a decision made only a week following the wrap-up of the ninth season’s reunion taping.

After five wonderful years, we realized our dreams and aspirations differ. Consequently, we mutually agreed to end our engagement. Despite the change in our romantic feelings, we hold a deep affection for one another. We ask that you express only kind thoughts as we both move forward separately.

Raquel later revealed why she chose to end their relationship. 

She clarified during the January 7th episode of Scheananigans with Scheana Shay podcast that there were growing tensions between her family and him. She went on to say that it seemed as though our future holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, might be spent either with James or my family. If we had a child in the future, this conflict would only escalate, she added. Anticipating this potential future and what it might entail, she expressed her discomfort, saying “I don’t want that.

Back in March of this year, I proudly made it Instagram official with my new ladylove, Ally Lewber! She’s been gracing our screens ever since.

Approximately a month following the announcement of their separation after 12 years, news emerged about Tom Schwartz being seen kissing Raquel at the Coachella festival.

Contrarily, the co-owner of Schwartz & Sandy swiftly corrected misconceptions. In a tweet, he stated, “I regret to inform you all that I was not at Coachella.

At the music festival, Raquel was present and shared pictures on Instagram where she was seen with Tom Sandoval and Ariana. She labeled one of those selfies with Sandoval as “I’m on an island” as her caption.

Despite the fact that Scheana Shay’s wedding to Brock Davies in Cancun, Mexico was a grand affair, stories about a kiss between Schwartz and Raquel during the ceremony overshadowed the event in news headlines. Videos from the season 10 trailer suggested that the encounter indeed took place, and Schwartz later confessed that his relationship with Raquel had progressed beyond friendship into something more like a “flirtationship” after the wedding.

Schwartz shared with Erin Lim Rhodes at TopMob News in October that he and Raquel have grown quite close. He expressed a deep admiration for her, stating that getting to know her better has revealed aspects of her personality he wasn’t aware of before. Surprisingly, he discovered Raquel to be both hilarious and sharp-witted.

During the continuing disagreement between herself and Katie over Schwartz’s relationship, Raquel’s choice to don a TomTom sweatshirt at BravoCon on October 17 raised some doubts.

Raquel shared on Instagram that she chose to wear her TomTom sweatshirt during Day 3 of BravoCon primarily for its cozy feel. However, she also wanted to show support for both Toms by promoting their booth and inviting people to check out the rest of their adorable merchandise. Additionally, Raquel expressed her pleasure in supporting her friends while staying comfortable, using the hashtags “#sue me” and “#number one Tom Stan.

Over Halloween, Sandoval disguised himself as Raquel at BravoCon, donning a sweatshirt, blonde wig, and sunglasses. On Instagram Stories, he posted a picture of his costume with the caption, “Raquel needs to stop appearing at TomTom, it’s becoming quite embarrassing.

Ariana clarified the rumors suggesting her and Tom’s relationship is ‘open’, hinted at in the thrilling season 10 teaser.

She expressed on Twitter, “I don’t engage in open relationships. I’m not as open-minded as some people might think. It seemed clear to me, but just to clarify: being bisexual doesn’t mean I’m polyamorous.

In the sneak peek, Raquel’s relationship with Tom Schwartz was mentioned, and she openly stated, “I have a strong affection for Schwartz.” Additionally, the teaser features Raquel kissing Oliver Saunders, son of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Garcelle Beauvais, as well as her outings with recurring cast member Peter Madrigal.

On March 3, there was a shocking development in the Bravo community as it was announced that Tom Sandoval and Ariana had ended their nine-year relationship. An informant shared with TopMob News that the cameras were filming the cast at the same time, implying that the unfolding drama will likely feature on the ongoing 10th season of the Bravo series.

After allegations surfaced that Tom and Raquel had been involved romantically for several months, it appears their relationship led to a separation. This news reportedly left Ariana upset, prompting visits from friends Scheana, Katie, and Kristen to console her. Furthermore, Kristen, bearing flowers and a bottle of wine, posted a selfie video on Instagram Stories with Ariana, expressing her support by saying, “I stand by Ariana,” emphasizing that this was happening in real time.

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 concert, numerous spectators in the crowd vocally criticized Tom as he entered, a TikTok video showed this with fans chanting “Cheater, cheater!” He chose not to reply, however, when one attendee yelled “Ariana!”, he replied into the microphone, “We adore her.” Another onlooker reported to TopMob News that spectators also chanted “Jerk” in Tom’s vicinity.

After announcing their separation, Ariana removed her Instagram account. Contrary to rumors, Tom’s representative confirmed to TopMob News exclusively that the reality star has not vacated the shared home with Ariana.

On March 4, Tom Sandoval decided to speak out on Instagram about the negative feedback his Schwarth and Sandy’s restaurant staff have been encountering following the recent news stories.

“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 blameless in this situation, but I deeply regret that my actions have caused distress for Greg, Brett, Schwartz, and our staff. To show respect for them, I will be temporarily stepping aside and taking a break. I need time to deal with the fallout and apologize sincerely.

On March 7th, I felt it necessary to step forward with a heartfelt apology to Ariana, directly addressing the regrettable situation we found ourselves in. In a statement shared on Instagram, I acknowledged my mistakes, my self-centered actions, and the rash decisions that caused her profound and public pain. No one deserves such anguish, especially someone I hold dear.

As a lifestyle expert, I can empathize deeply with what Ariana and those close to her must be going through right now. It’s unimaginable how painful this situation has become. My heart is heavy with remorse because I realize that I let Ariana down, which was never my intention. I feel a profound sense of regret for not living up to the trust placed in me and, unfortunately, disappointing so many people, including our cherished families and friends.

He lamented deeply about how things turned out, saying, “It’s heart-wrenchingly disappointing how it all concluded.” He admitted that his actions were inconsistent with the person he aspires to be. He plans to keep contemplating and growing, acknowledging that there is always room for improvement in himself. He has constantly had work to do, and this remains a constant in his life.

In just a few hours following Tom’s declaration, Raquel publicly apologized to Ariana on her Instagram post dated March 8th. Here’s what she wrote: “I feel compelled to express my remorse for my behaviors and decisions directly to Ariana, as well as to my friends and supporters who care deeply about our friendships. I understand there is no justification, I am not a victim, and I must take responsibility for my actions. I sincerely regret the pain I caused Ariana.

She went on to say, “I’m giving thought to my decisions and discussing them with a counselor, and I’ve discovered aspects of myself like my tendencies towards codependency and addiction to love. I’ve sought emotional support through relationships that aren’t always healthy, without considering the impact on my own wellness. In some cases, these actions have hurt others, and I often prioritize those intimate connections over friendships. However, I’m now working to comprehend my actions better and make wiser choices for my health.

On March 8th, Lisa Vanderpump had an open conversation with Andy Cohen on ‘Watch What Happens Live’. During this interview, she expressed her shock and disbelief about the recent news, stating that she was left speechless and bewildered by it. In her own words, “I mean, I literally couldn’t find the words. I didn’t anticipate it. Nobody did.

LVP emphasized that the most astonishing aspect of the scandal was the fact that their affair had been kept secret for quite some time, as it had been ongoing without detection by others.

I’m here to share some news about Ariana. I’ve been utterly heartbroken, with a flood of tears streaming down my face. Ariana was more than just a friend; she was that unwavering, loyal partner I could always rely on. It appears that while Raquel was the one who rode along with life’s ups and downs, Ariana was the one who stuck by me through it all, giving her all in our friendship—and honestly, this isn’t good at all.

On March 11, Tom Schwartz finally spoke up to TMZ, clarifying the timeline of when he discovered his friend’s affair with Raquel.

He expressed that he was genuinely disappointed by the adverse effects on our business, but remained hopeful that a calm resolution would be found. Regardless, he plans to stay focused and persistent.

Regarding Sandoval’s current state amidst the criticism, he commented, “He seems to be holding up, but there’s a deep sense of sorrow in him, which is understandable. He feels terrible about himself, as one might expect given his actions. He acknowledges his mistake and finds the entire situation extremely unfortunate.

On her March 15th visit to Watch What Happens Live, Katie Maloney expressed that she wasn’t entirely surprised by the Tom-Raquel cheating scandal, but the specifics of it left her in a state of surprise.

Besides sharing some news about Ariana following the breakup, Katie mentioned that she appears to be in a positive mental state. She’s focusing on self-care and seems content with her current situation. In fact, when I met her recently, both of us were quite enthusiastic. Ariana herself seemed to be brimming with excitement as well.

In the aftermath of over two weeks of quietness regarding the controversy, Ariana eventually voiced her thoughts about the split through an Instagram post dated March 15th.

36-year-old wrote: “I truly appreciate the overwhelming kindness and encouragement I’ve been shown by friends, relatives, and strangers in the past fortnight. In moments when I felt too weak to carry on, your support has provided the resilience needed to push through my toughest times.

I’ve been deeply shattered, more than words can express,” Ariana said. “But I take comfort knowing that I don’t face this pain alone. Many of my dearest friends are feeling the same heartache and shock at this moment. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have an extraordinary support system, and I hope someday I can return the love and kindness you’ve shown me during these challenging times.

Back on March 20th, I was absolutely thrilled when Bravo unveiled a sneak peek of Scandoval in the midseason trailer for season 10! The footage captured the intense, post-affair fallout between Tom and Ariana, where she bluntly told him to “rot” due to his infidelity with Raquel. It’s going to be a wild ride!

Tom confessed, “I wish we could have put more effort in,” to which Ariana retorted sharply, “You don’t deserve a single tear from me.

On March 23rd, Andy Cohen conducted an intense season 10 reunion for the popular show VPR, where the entire cast confronted Tom and Raquel about their affair. According to a source from TopMob News, “the atmosphere was extremely heated” during the reunion, leading Andy to step in and separate two cast members before a physical altercation ensued.

Andy subsequently disclosed on his April 3 broadcast, “It was a significant moment. If you desire to learn about their account, you shall. If you expect a direct and confrontational approach towards their actions, that’s exactly what you’ll receive.

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

In a shocking interview on Watch What Happens Live on April 5th, Tom Schwartz disclosed that he discovered Sandoval and Leviss had their first romantic encounter back in August of the previous year, before things intensified. “For me,” he explained, “it transformed into an emotional entanglement, which is still unacceptable.

Schwartz stated that his close friend admitted in January that they were smitten with Leviss, even though they were still involved with Madix. He described Sandoval’s feelings as a full-blown addiction. In other words, it was an intense crush of crushes.

Over a month since the revelation of their prolonged romantic involvement made headlines, it’s been confirmed by a source to TopMob News on April 14th that Raquel sought treatment at a facility for mental health support.

According to Raquel’s representative, Raquel and her family had planned for months that she required mental health care, eventually choosing a voluntary facility for counseling. Before the public learned about their relationship, Raquel was set to check-in prior to a reunion but decided to fulfill her filming obligations first. Bravo and production were apprised of this decision and supported her pursuit of better mental health.

At the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2023, over the weekend from the 14th to the 16th, Ariana appeared to have moved on from Tom, as she was seen getting close and even kissing fitness instructor Daniel Wai during the event.

In the thrilling conclusion of VPR‘s tenth season, Tom and Raquel declared their affection for each other openly, amidst the aftermath of the affair. They also contemplated their shared future following the scandal’s resolution.

He admitted that he can’t foresee what will happen between him and Raquel. “Perhaps our relationship will blossom, perhaps it won’t,” he hinted. Yet, when he kissed Raquel, he felt a surge of optimism, as if to say, “Hold on a second, you’re not past your prime. Your best times might still be ahead.

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 being a Miami girl, isn’t this the first instance you’ve been unfaithful to Ariana?” To which he admitted, “Yes, there was one other occasion.

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

Initially, Tom said ‘yes’, but then he hesitated and clarified, “Actually, no”, and declined to share further information.

A day following the final episode, Ariana spoke openly about transitioning with her new partner Daniel Wai, during an interview on the TODAY show.

18th May, Ariana gleefully expressed, “I’m savoring every moment and I must say I’m overjoyed at this very instant!” She divulged that their paths crossed at a wedding roughly ten days prior. “Going into it without any expectations, I’ve been moving deliberately slow, cherishing each interaction. It’s truly delightful to converse with someone who embodies kindness, goodness, and warmth.

On May 24th, Alex Baskin, producer at VPR, definitively dismissed speculations that Tom and Raquel were having a baby, despite their affair. (or: On May 24th, Alex Baskin, a producer at VPR, refuted rumors that Tom and Raquel were expecting a child together, given their affair.)

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

At the reunion on June 7th, Raquel had her initial encounter with Ariana following the scandal, and in a heartfelt manner, she extended a sincere apology.

She confided, “I feel incredibly guilty and humiliated for being able to hide this secret from someone who has stood by me since day one.” Ariana, I deeply regret my actions that have undoubtedly hurt you. The damage I’ve inflicted is beyond what I can comprehend, and while the word ‘selfish’ comes close, it doesn’t fully capture the depth of my self-centered state of mind. My actions were a grave mistake.

Ariana firmly refused and retorted, “Your actions are far beyond selfish; they’re self-centered, malicious, twisted, vile, inhumane. It’s time for you to expand your vocabulary to truly articulate the depth of your behavior because ‘selfish’ is not an adequate description.

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2024-12-03 00:53