Vanderpump Rules: A Journey Through the Changing Cast
Change is the name of the game when it comes to Vanderpump Rules. This reality TV show burst onto the scene in January 2013, as a spin-off from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The initial cast included Lisa Vanderpump, Stassi Schroeder, Scheana Shay, Jax Taylor, Katie Maloney, Tom Sandoval, and Kristen Doute. Others like Tom Schwartz, Tina McDowelle, Peter Madrigal, Laura-Leigh, Frank Herlihy, Mike Shay, Kristina Kelly, Jen Bush, and Jeremy Davidson had recurring roles in the early seasons.
As the show evolved, so did the cast. By Season 3, Tom Schwartz became a series regular, and Ariana Madix and James Kennedy joined in. Later, in Season 4, Lala Kent, Faith Stowers, and Brittany Cartwright made their appearances.
While the show mostly revolved around Stassi, Jax, Kristen, Katie, Schwartz, Sandoval, Ariana, Scheana, Kristen, Lala, and James up to Season 8, 2020 brought a shake-up. The network cut ties with Stassi and Kristen due to their past racially insensitive comments.
Stassi Schroeder: A Journey of Changes
Before she became the queen of SUR, Stassi Schroeder was a 16-year-old competitor on The Amazing Race. She even appeared on the short-lived N series, Queen Bees, in 2008. Before her Vanderpump Rules debut, she opted for a chin implant, a decision she called “one of the best things I ever did.” Stassi didn’t stop there; she also had a breast reduction, lip fillers, and Botox over the years. In June 2020, she and husband Beau Clark welcomed their first child, daughter Hartford Charlie Rose, followed by son Messer Rhys in September 2023.
Jax Taylor: From 60 Pounds Up to Parenthood
Jax Taylor, a mainstay since the show’s 2013 premiere, went through quite a transformation. He revealed that he gained 60 pounds over the first six seasons due to the show’s demands, including filming, partying, and constant drinking. In 2018, he committed to getting back in shape, especially with his wedding to Brittany in Season 8. In April 2021, the couple welcomed their son, Cruz Michael Cauchi.
Kristen Doute: Love for Botox and Life Changes
Fans followed Kristen Doute’s love for Botox over eight seasons. After Season 8 wrapped in 2020, she began a relationship with Alex Menache, but they split in June 2022. Kristen shared her move-out day on Instagram, acknowledging that it was tough to leave behind memories.
Scheana Shay: Changes Without Plastic Surgery
Scheana Shay transitioned from Villa Blanca to SUR for Season 1 of Vanderpump Rules. Over the years, she openly discussed getting Botox but denied major plastic surgery. She attributed her transformation to weight loss, makeup, and a thinner face. In October 2020, Scheana announced her pregnancy with boyfriend Brock Davies, and they welcomed their daughter, Summer Moon Honey Davies, in April 2021. Three months later, they got engaged and had a wedding ceremony in Mexico a year after that.
Katie Maloney and Tom Schwartz: Love and Business Ventures
Katie Maloney has been a full-time cast member since Season 1. Besides her relationship with Schwartz, she allowed cameras to capture her body image struggles. After over a decade together, the couple exchanged vows in 2017 but called it quits in March 2022.
Tom Schwartz, promoted from recurring to regular after Season 2, ventured into business with Lisa Vanderpump herself, opening the bar and restaurant TomTom in 2018.
Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix: Hair Experiments and Steady Love
Another original cast member, Tom Sandoval, played with his hairstyle throughout the years, but his relationship with Ariana Madix remained a constant since 2014. In 2019, they bought a house together.
Lisa Vanderpump: A Spinoff Queen
The SUR owner, Lisa Vanderpump, has been a Bravo staple since the 2010 premiere of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Although she left the franchise after nine seasons in 2019, she landed her second spinoff, Peacock’s Vanderpump Dogs, in 2020.
James Kennedy: DJ Drama and Love Life
Working as a busser at SUR, James Kennedy started dating Kristen between Seasons 2 and 3 of Vanderpump Rules. Despite being fired and rehired by Lisa multiple times, he remained a part of the cast. In 2020, he moved in with girlfriend Raquel Leviss, and they got engaged in May 2021. However, during the reunion special in December 2021, they announced their split, and James moved on with Ally Lewber.
Lala Kent: Relationships and Parenthood
Lala Kent joined the SUR crew in Season 4 in 2015. Her journey included flings with Jax and James before introducing fans to Randall Emmett during Season 8. The couple got engaged in September 2018 and welcomed their daughter, Ocean, in March 2021. Sadly, their engagement ended in October 2021 after Randall was photographed with two women in Nashville.
Brittany Cartwright: From Kentucky to Vanderpump Rules
Brittany Cartwright joined the Vanderpump Rules cast during Season 4 when she started dating Jax. The Kentucky native moved to Los Angeles and documented their rocky relationship for several seasons. They eventually exchanged vows during Season 8 and welcomed their first child, Cruz Michael Cauchi, in April 2021.
Change is inevitable in the world of Vanderpump Rules, whether it’s personal transformations, relationship shifts, or new additions to the cast.