For Lisa Vanderpump, reality television didn’t significantly alter her life. She was already living in a big house in Los Angeles and had made her mark in the restaurant business.
However, for over a decade, the staff at SUR in West Hollywood grew up on the show and a lot of their opportunities stemmed from the fanbase they gained over the years.
“It’s strange because I’m not saying they should be grateful to me, but they should be grateful for the show,” Lisa Vanderpump said on Bravo’s Hot Mic Podcast from April 1. “We always kind of celebrated them, but that show gave them a plethora of opportunities they wouldn’t necessarily have had.”
Vanderpump and Alex Baskin talked a lot about the past and the present as “Vanderpump Rules” is getting rebooted with an entirely new cast. And the two detailed why this was necessary.
“I think for al of them the distance was kind of needed, and so I think that they’re grateful for it,” Baskin explained. “I think the experience was so intense.”
“But that also was the reason that we couldn’t continue,” he added. “The situation had changed, the relationships had changed.”
Vanderpump followed that up by explaining that the cast members’ increased fame over the years “changed the balance in the show and it was much more difficult to produce.”
Lisa Vanderpump Reveals Who She Stills Talks to From Original ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Cast
After 11 seasons, the cast of “Vanderpump Rules” was hanging on by a thread, with there being too many issues to overcome. And that’s what led to the decision to reboot the show.
However, there are still some original cast members whom Vanderpump has remained close with.
“I still have a great relationship with some of them,” Vanderpump revealed. “But the others, their attitude changed and it wasn’t what we set out to be, so I think it was time to move on.”
The first one she mention was none other than Tom Schwartz.
“I think he’s truly a lovely, kind person,” Vanderpump said. “And it actually hurt me to see him kind of get a beating around the whole Scandoval time. I think he made a few silly moves. I think he should have stood up to Sandoval more. But I think that’s him in his life. He tries to make everybody happy. And he’s just always been very kind, lovable, thoughtful person.”
Next up is Lala Kent.
“I think she’s really grown, really grown and I’m proud of her,” Vanderpump explained. “I think she’s a lovely Mommy. And I think she’s going to be very successful.”
At the end, Vanderpump did take a moment to say some kind words about the entire cast, despite what they have put her through over the years.
“I love them all, and I do love them all regardless of their antics and their foibles,” she stated. “There’s a deep love just because of what we’ve been through together and seeing them at such a young age. Even though they’ve been very frustrating at times for sure and they’ve made mistakes.”
Tom Schwartz Called Lisa Vanderpump After Seeing the News About the Reboot
After the news came out that “Vanderpump Rules” was going to be rebooted with an entirely new cast, many of the original members took to social media, expressing their gratitude for what the show has done for them.
But, behind the scenes, a few of them also reached out to the person who started it all.
“Of course, Schwartz straightaway called me and said, ‘I just want to thank you for all the opportunities you’ve given me,” Vanderpump said on Bravo’s Hot Mic Podcast.
Vanderpump also added that James Kennedy and Lala Kent called her. She also thinks that Ariana Madix sent her a text or tweeted at her.
As for the others, she revealed that Katie Maloney did not reach out, but Vanderpump said that “didn’t really surprise me.”
