There have been many cast members who have come and gone over the years, and now one star of Vanderpump Rules season 11 has said they may not be coming back next season. Vanderpump Rules has been a favorite Bravo TV show since January 13, 2013, and was thrown back into the headlines when the news of “Scandoval” broke in March 2023. “Scandoval” got its name from the scandalous affair between Ariana Madix’s partner of nearly a decade, Tom Sandoval, and Rachel “Raquel” Leviss, whom Ariana had considered to be a close friend.
Now Ariana is considering whether or not returning to Vanderpump Rules would make sense for her. Ariana was recently at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books promoting her book Single AF Cocktails. While there, she discussed what might make her return for Vanderpump Rules seasons 12. In comments covered by People, Ariana said, “Our show has always thrived, it’s always at its best when it is at its most authentic and its most real, and I have to be able to show up and be real and be authentic in order for it to make sense for me.”
Ariana joined the cast of Vanderpump Rules as a friend of Tom after Tom’s relationship with Kristen Doute came to an end. There were even allegations at the time that Tom had cheated on Kristen with Ariana, but these rumors were strongly refuted by both Tom and Ariana. Ariana seemed to be the perfect, down-to-earth counter for Tom’s very big, often loud personality, and even though they struggled, they seemed to be okay. Tom and Ariana went from being a seemingly solid couple to Ariana simply refusing to film with Tom at all, and no one blamed her for it.
Now that the dust has begun to settle around “Scandoval,” there is the question of whether or not Ariana should return for Vanderpump Rules season 12. Ariana’s life was turned upside down after the affair, but she was able to take every opportunity given to her and seemed to rise above “Scandoval.” Regarding her success, Ariana said, “I shouldn’t have to make my life smaller because Tom messed everything up.” Now that she has achieved so much success and is still refusing to film with Tom, it does not seem to make sense for Ariana to stay on Vanderpump Rules.
Ariana is one of the best reality stars on Bravo because she’s easy to relate to. However, reality shows are supposed to be entertaining, and it is hard to film a TV show when one star refuses to filmed with another main star. No matter how much Tom is disliked, he does make good TV by agreeing to show up and film, even when it is just to be yelled at by someone. Ariana should not be forced to film with Tom, but that may mean Vanderpump Rules is no longer the best place for her.
It can be difficult to picture the future of Vanderpump Rules without Ariana and all of the prospects that have opened up for her. There are still plenty of storylines in Ariana’s journey to cover, such as opening her sandwich shop Something About Her with fellow castmate and friend Katie Maloney. Vanderump Rules is known for being a messy TV show full of drama between young people trying to figure out life, which can be a toxic place for Ariana to try and heal. Although Ariana has hinted at not returning, the future cast of Vanderpump Rules is a mystery.
Source: People