Fans both old and new of the long-running reality series Vanderpump Rules are dying to know one thing: which of the cast members have the courage (or enough financial incentive) to return for season 11? After all, season 10 of Bravo‘s hit reality show gave us #Scandoval, a cheating scandal that made tidal waves not just with longtime viewers of this very dramatic series about former restaurant workers and their love lives, but also on major news outlets like The Washington Post.
While storylines will include the opening of main cast members’ Ariana Madix and Katie Maloney’s sandwich shop Something About Her, most viewers are dying to see the fallout following the affair between Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss, which made major waves among the cast, ruined close friendships, and destroyed the nine-year common law relationship between Sandoval and his now ex Ariana Madix. After the news of the exposed affair broke in early March 2023, viewers were shocked by the unfolding mess.
The three-part season 10 reunion showed the fractures between longtime friends Scheana Shay and Raquel Leviss, after Shay had taken Leviss under her wing and let her stay rent-free in her apartment after Leviss broke up with fan favorite James Kennedy. Best friends and often cheating partners-in-crime Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz are experiencing terrible tension as the affair affects business at their new bar, Schwartz & Sandy’s. James Kennedy has spoken out on the show about his feelings of betrayal, as he had considered Tom Sandoval an older brother figure and close friend. As expected, Ariana Madix cut Raquel Leviss out of her life after learning of the affair, as the two had been close friends throughout the duration of Leviss’ betrayal with Tom Sandoval.
So, who is coming back for more in season 11?
Lisa Vanderpump
While some fans and even cast members (like former cast member Jax Taylor) have complained that Lisa Vanderpump is no longer their boss at SUR Restaurant and much older than the cast so therefore no longer relevant, Vanderpump is definitely returning. But what about the most aggrieved party, who was the most betrayed and emotionally crushed by the affair? When interviewed, Vanderpump stated, “I’m opening two new restaurants this year. I’ve got Vanderpump Rules …” so it’s safe to say that fans will see her on the upcoming season.
Ariana Madix
Madix was famously devastated upon finding out that her longterm, live-in partner was cheating for at least seven months with one of her best friends, Raquel Leviss. Fans are wondering if she will leave the show to take care of her mental health, or if she will return following the brand deals and positive attention she received in the media.
In a recent interview, Madix said she will be returning to the show, but plans to keep to herself and her remaining friendships while avoiding Sandoval and Leviss, confirming that she “just wouldn’t hang out with them.” So, what about the woman who betrayed her best friend?
Raquel Leviss
Cattier supporters of Ariana Madix are now calling Raquel by her legal name, Rachel, as a sign of disrespect for the cast member. Madix herself called her that on the show following the affair revelations, and in media interviews as well as social media, she is commonly now called Rachel.
So, she did a bad thing. And now she’s in a health facility healing her mental health after the massive backlash she received. Will she brave her former friends and return to the show? While nothing has been officially declared, it is widely believed that Leviss will return to face the music.
It is being reported that Raquel is “in negotiations” to come back to film to Vanderpump Rules, but Bravo is waiting for her to complete treatment at the mental health facility first. So, what about public enemy #1?
Tom Sandoval
Words cannot fully describe the anger that was unleashed online toward Tom Sandoval. After flying below the radar for years as a good guy character, his true nature was only revealed following the #Scandoval. As cast mamber DJ James Kennedy is fond of repeating at his gigs, “Sandoval’s a liar!” And a cheater. And a gaslighter. And a “worm with a mustache.”
The rest of the cast berated him mercilessly during the reunion episodes. During their first post-breakup conversation on camera, his ex Ariana intoned the now iconic statement, “I regret ever loving you.” But Sandoval loves attention, and he will return a little later in the series after he’s finished filming another reality show: Fox’s Special Forces. But there is more than one notorious Tom on Vanderpump Rules.
Tom Schwartz
Another Tom that flew under the radar for years because other cast members were more dramatic, Tom Schwartz is known for his proud use of 10 cent words and his “aw, shucks” demeanor. However, in season 10 his affable mask dropped when he repeatedly disrespected his wife while they navigated their divorce. In fact, some fans have been noticing his blatant disrespect toward Katie Maloney for years, like when he famously told all of his friends at a party that she disgusts him and he doesn’t sleep with her.
Now, fans are suspicious of his claims that he did not know about the affair. Many say that Schwartz knew for a lot longer than he has admitted to, and that he kept mum to protect his business and his best friend. So, what about his ex-wife? Is she returning or has she had enough of dealing with villainous Toms?
Katie Maloney
This woman has suffered enough! Katie Maloney’s pain over her divorce from Tom Schwartz was palpable in season 10, as she struggled to maintain a friendship with him despite his continuing disrespect for her feelings and values. However, she is returning to Vanderpump Rules for season 11.
Katie recently said that she now feels supported by her friends, and she’s willing to return to the show despite the Toms: “I’ve got my friends. I’ve got [Ariana Maddix], I’ve got Lala. Me and Scheana are getting along. There’s so much great things happening and so much other stuff to worry about, it’s not for me to worry about how you fit into my life ‘cause you’re not in my life.” Katie had issues in season 10 with on-again, off-again friend Scheana over how the latter treated her during the divorce.
Scheana Shay
Famous for being a flip-flopper friend who never takes a stand, Scheana Shay changed that reputation in season 10’s “Scandoval”episode. In it, she sat down with Tom Sandoval and told him that she could no longer be his friend. Shay wept bitterly as she said, “I’m going to miss you” and in her confessional told of how in the beginning of their friendship, Sandoval had made her feel included when the rest of the group rejected her. She ended their last conversation by saying, “You don’t deserve any friends right now.”
While it was in question if Shay could attend the season 10 reunion because of a restraining order that Raquel Leviss filed against her, she ended up attending that, and is expected back for season 11. So, who else is returning for season 11? James Kennedy is likely to return, and three former cast members are being considered for a spin-off series: Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright and Kristen Doute.