It’s hard to believe it has been over a decade since Vanderpump Rules burst onto screens, serving reality TV fans scandal after scandal in the first spin-off from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.
Since 2013, we've devoured 11 seasons of the hit show, which follows Lisa Vanderpump and the staff of her restaurants and bars SUR Restaurant & Lounge, Pump Restaurant, and Tom Tom Restaurant & Bar in Hollywood – and an additional three spin-off shows focusing on other members of the cast.
But fans were left shocked last month when it was revealed that an entire new case would feature in Vanderpump Rules' upcoming 12th season, with only 64-year-old Lisa returning.
While some cast members have departed over the year, this is the biggest cull in the show’s history with seven stars being shown the door – five of whom have been in the show since the very first season.
So, what do the cast make of the shake-up? Here’s everything they’ve said so far…
Andy Cohen
Andy Cohen, who hosts the series’ often-dramatic reunion episodes has said producers have made the right decision to let a lot of the cast go.
Speaking on his podcast Andy Cohen Live, he said, ‘This is, first of all, the absolute right thing to do.
‘I am so impressed with how production kept the show going over the last, I'm going to say four years, when slowly but surely none of them were working at SUR.’
He continued that ‘the entire point of the show morphed and changed as it went on'.
Discussing the last episode of season 11, Andy added it felt like ‘the perfect way to say goodbye to the cast'.
He said, ‘If you look at the last episode of the last season, it really did, watch the last ten minutes of five minutes, it felt like an absolute series finale. So congratulations.’
Lisa Vanderpump
Lisa Vanderpump took to Instagram to share a post showing her gratitude for the cast members who were leaving.
She wrote, ‘What a wild ride the last 11 years have been. Thank you to all of our cast for sharing your lives and stories and for being a part of this journey.
‘How I’ve loved each and every one of you.’
Scheana Shay
Scheana Shay, who has been a main cast member since the first season, also took to Instagram to discuss her axing.
She wrote, ‘The end of an era, and the start of something new. I don’t even know where to begin… well maybe first off, thank you to everyone who’s checked in on me. We had one hell of a run!
‘I never could have imagined while shooting the pilot for VPR that it would become what it has, nor go on for as long as it did. To the fans who’ve been with us from the beginning, and to everyone who joined along the way, THANK YOU.
‘Putting our lives out there isn’t always easy, but every time one of y’all reached out to say our stories resonated with you made it all worth it!’
Scheana went on to thank the crew for giving her ‘the experience of a lifetime’.
She added, ‘I will forever be grateful for the opportunities this show has generated and for the memories we’ve made along the way.
‘We truly have worked with the best cast, crew and been part of so many special moments in each other’s lives. Cheers to the next chapter!’
Scheana cryptically signed off the post, ‘The rest is still unwritten…’
Tom Sandoval
Tom Sandoval also took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the cast overhaul, saying he is ‘overwhelmed with so many emotions'.
He wrote, ‘The unbelievable series of events that brought this group together still blows my mind to this day. From a random meeting with Jax while modeling in Miami, to responding to a Craigslist ad for another Tom looking for a roommate. Who would’ve thought that a stop along the way while chasing our dreams would turn into the cultural phenomenon that is Vanderpump Rules.
‘We were unaware as to the effect this show would have on our lives. The foundation of Vanderpump Rules was built on pure honest raw emotions… triumphs, struggles, and love that happen between a group of real friends and our relationships.
‘As soon as we started filming s**t got real and never turned back. It’s been a roller coaster ride and you’ve been with us though every step of the way.’
He went on to thank the producers, Lisa, and all members of the crew as well as fans of the hit show.
‘It’s hard to put into words what I’m feeling right now,’ he continued. ‘As in life, so much has happened over the years. Some of my past decisions led to incredibly challenging times, from which I’ve learned valuable lessons and experienced personal growth.
‘Despite the difficulties, I’m filled with gratitude for the learning experience and forever grateful for all of the memories.’
Tom Schwartz
Tom Schwartz has stayed relatively tight-lipped over the news, but did take to social media to share clips from the show edited to look like the opening of Friends.
He wrote alongside the post, ‘How the last 12 years replays in my mind,’ alongside a red heart emoji.
Ariana Madix
Ariana Madix became a main cast member in series three after starring in the first and second series as a recurring guest.
She, too, took to Instagram to say goodbye to the show, writing, ‘Vanderpump Rules, you will forever be that girl.
‘I was up til 4am looking for all the right pics and the right words, but there’s no post or caption that could ever encapsulate everything. I am forever grateful to have been a part of such an incredible cultural phenomenon.’
Ariana, who took part in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade days after her axing had been announced, continued, ‘thank you to every single crew member, producer, and our showrunners. Seeing you guys every summer was like coming home to see family! That I will miss very much but you have my number so… just text me.’
She added that the show’s fans had been ‘the constant over the last decade’ and that their support ‘is what I’ll miss the most about it ending'.
Ariana continued, ‘I’m feeling at peace with closing this chapter and I’m excited for everything that is to come.
‘I don’t know that these were the best days of our lives, but they were definitely something special.’
James Kennedy
James Kennedy – who is now a successful DJ with a Las Vegas residency – admitted he was ‘holding back some tears’ as he reacted to the news.
He wrote on social media, ‘It’s been a pleasure being a part of Vanderpump Rules and filling your TV screens with our lives over the past decade.
‘I’ve dedicated my life to this show and I’m forever grateful to everyone who tuned in.’
He added that all of his dreams are ‘coming true’ in his post, saying he had ‘all of you [viewers] to thank.
‘It’s been a wild ride and I’m excited to see what the future hoilds. Although this is a bittersweet ending, for me, this is just the beginning,’ he concluded his post.
Lala Kent
Lala Kent joined the cast of Vanderpump Rules in season four and became a main fixture in season six.
She wrote in an emotional Instagram post, ‘I was a young girl from Salt Lake City who made her way to L.A. I would introduce myself as Lauren, but because my childhood best friend referred to me as Lala, my nickname quickly stuck.
‘SUR was a place that became home. I found myself not only sipping on vodka sodas there, but behind a hostess stand… it still to this day is the most intimidating job I’ve ever had.
‘A short time later the opportunity to be on a show called Vanderpump Rules landed in front of me. I have such mixed feelings right now. It’s no secret I do not like change. This is the exception.
‘I want to say thank you for rocking with us for so many years. This show changed my whole life. I’m unbelievably grateful for every moment.
‘I’m unbelievably grateful for Bravo, for NBCU, for our crew, the entire cast, and most importantly all of you.
‘We rocked this b***h until the wheels fell off.’