A new era is dawning on SUR restaurant.
Because when Vanderpump Rules picks up cameras to begin filming season 12 of the beloved Bravo series, it will be with an entirely new cast. And as a now-alum of the series, Ariana Madix has some thoughts on what the network should be looking for in these new reality stars.
After all, it’s about a lot more than pasta.
“I think they should be looking for people who are unapologetically themselves,” she told E! News’ Keltie Knight at The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment gala Dec. 4. “And who aren’t trying to be a ‘reality star.’ Or be the newest GIF, or the newest meme. But who are really just themselves.”
As she noted, “Hopefully they’re able to find that.” (For more with Ariana and the event’s other attendees, tune into E! News tonight, Dec. 4 at 11 p.m.)
And for the 39-year-old—who appeared on the show as a recurring guest for its first two installments and then as a full time cast member since season three—she isn’t writing off appearing in this next phase of the series.
Though she hopes to serve up an enticing new shooting locale: the sandwich shop she and costar Katie Maloney co-own.
“Well if they want to come over and have an argument over a sandwich,” Ariana teased, “Something About Her is like two doors down.”
But with Vanderpump Rules officially in her rearview mirror, Ariana—whose time on the show ended explosively, after it was revealed her partner of nine years Tom Sandoval had been having an affair with their costar Rachel “Raquel” Leviss—isn’t afraid of what an uncertain future might bring.
After all, in the fallout from Scandoval she found herself presented with a torrent of partnership opportunities, and even scored the role of Love Island USA host on top of a stint in Broadway’s Chicago.
“This is my first time on this planet, my first time in this position,” Ariana quipped of navigating this next stage, “but I have the most amazing team of people that have been with me for years and years and years, and I think I trust them so much.”
She added, “I think for me, it’s looking ahead to ten years from now, and it’s looking ahead to when it’s not about me, but still being able to be a part of everything.”
And if the chance to act in a rom-com appeared on the menu? Her answer was an easy, “Oh absolutely.”
Ariana’s thoughts on the future of VPR come shortly after it was announced that the longstanding Bravo show was wiping the slate clean, saying goodbye to stars including Scheana Shay, Lala Kent, Tom Schwartz and James Kennedy.
While restauranteur—and staff employer—Lisa Vanderpump will stay on with the series, the network is otherwise looking for a “new group of close-knit SUR-vers who are as complicatedly involved with one another as their iconic predecessors.”
Following the news, Ariana shared a message to her social media accounts, expressing her gratitude for her time on the beloved series, writing, “Vanderpump Rules, you will forever be that girl.”
To see where some of your favorite Vanderpump alums are today, keep reading.
Jax Taylor & Stassi Schroeder
Much of Vanderpump Rules' first season, which debuted 2013, focused on the drama surrounding Jax cheating on Stassi in Las Vegas. And after he hooked up with co-star Kristen Doute on season two, the couple broke up for good.
Stassi Schroeder & Beau Clark
The VPR alum began dating the casting executive in 2017 while she was still on the show. After she was fired from the series in 2020, Stassi and Beau legally tied the knot in September of that year during the COVID-19 pandemic before welcoming daughter Hartford in January 2021.
The two later held a formal wedding in Italy in May 2022 and welcomed their second child, son Messer, in 2023.
Jax Taylor & Brittany Cartwright
Jax and Brittany met in 2015 following his breakup from Stassi. After surviving a cheating scandal involving Jax and their former co-star Faith Stowers, he and Brittany got married at a castle in her native Kentucky in 2019. Their wedding special aired on Bravo shortly after.
Jax and Brittany welcomed their first child—son Cruz—in April 2021 a year after they walked away from the show.
Sadly, they announced in February 2024 that they had separated and Brittany had moved out of their house. She officially filed for divorce in August that same year.
Tom Sandoval & Ariana Madix
Following his breakup from Kristen Doute, Tom and Ariana began dating when she joined the show during filming season three in 2013. The duo proved to be one of VPR's most dependable couples for nine years as they bought a house, adopted dogs and even wrote a cocktail book together.
Because of their stability, fans were shocked when the TomTom co-owner's seven-month affair with their co-star came to light in March 2023, leading to his and Ariana's breakup.
Since the cheating scandal, Tom has credited a lack of intimacy as one of the reasons they drifted away. He also claimed they were separated when news of his cheating went public, though he revealed he and Raquel first kissed in August 2022 long before Ariana found out.
Ariana Madix & Daniel Wai
One month after Ariana broke up with Tom for cheating on her with Raquel, the reality star moved on with fitness trainer Daniel Wai. The two were spotted making out and getting cozy in April 2023 at weekend one of Coachella.
They are still going strong over one year later.
Scheana Shay & Brock Davies
Following her divorce from ex Mike Shay in 2017, Scheana met Brock two years later with friends in San Diego and it was love at first sight. The couple welcomed their first child together—daughter Summer Moon Honey—in April 2021 before tying the knot.
Scheana and Brock's August 2022 Cancún wedding aired during VPR season 10, but she actually revealed on the show's April 2023 episode that they secretly got married (legally) one year prior to the destination ceremony.
However, Scheana revealed in her 2025 memoir My Good Side that the Australian athlete cheated on her in 2020 during her pregnancy, but only came clean about the affair during 2023's Scandoval controversy.
Katie Maloney & Tom Schwartz
The longtime lovers got married in August 2016 after six years of dating. However, their tumultuous relationship played out on the Bravo series and after years of tension and fighting, Katie had had enough. The duo was together for 12 years in total before Katie decided to divorce the TomTom co-owner in March 2022.
While they initially remained friendly exes, Tom's makeout with Raquel in August 2022 ruined any chances of amicability between the two. During season 10 of VPR, Katie introduced a new love interest, 26-year-old actor Satchel Clendenin, though the two are no longer dating.
Tom is also currently single.
James Kennedy & Raquel Leviss
James and Raquel dated for five years—and even got engaged—before breaking up in November 2021. The former beauty queen later credited his anger issues as one of the reasons for their split.
During VPR's season nine reunion, which aired in January 2022, James and Raquel revealed they had barely had sex in the two years leading up to their breakup.
James Kennedy & Ally Lewber
James briefly date Kristen Doute after joining the show during season 3, but the two broke up in 2015.
Just two months after his split from Raquel, James was spotted with a new lady, Ally Lewber, in January 2022 and they made their first official red carpet appearance together the next month.
Ally made her Vanderpump Rules debut on the premiere of season 10 and fans later saw the couple move in together.
Their romance hit a speed bump in December 2024 when James was arrested for domestic vioence after an incident with an unnamed woman. By the next month, the former couple announced they had broken up amid James' legal troubles, which did not result in any formal charges against him.
Lala Kent & Randall Emmett
The Bravo star and movie producer called off their engagement in October 2021 after three years together. Before breaking up, they welcomed daughter Ocean in March 2021. Lala later credited their split in part to Randall's alleged cheating, though he's denied having affairs.
During VPR season 10, Lala revealed she hadn't had sex since their breakup, but dove back into the dating pool by hooking up with a guy during a girls trip to Lake Havasu.
Lala is currently still single and mingling, as is Randall.
Kristen Doute & Luke Broderick
After Sandoval—and her fling with Jax—Kristen dated Brian Carter on and off on the Bravo series before moving on with Alex Menache, who she was with for two years before calling it quits in June 2022.
Kristen found love again soon after that same month. She met Luke Broderick when they served as a bridesmaid and groomsman in their mutual friend's nuptials that summer and have been together ever since. In addition to dating, he regularly co-hosts her podcast Love, Sex and What Else Matters.
The pair announced their engagement in September 2024.
Kristina Kelly & Max Ville
Kristina, who has made multiple appearances on the show since season two, welcomed her first child—baby boy River—with partner Max Ville in March 2023. The two have been together for over 12 years.
Tom Schwartz & Sophia Skoro
Schwartz finally committed to his first serious relationship since his divorce when he started dating 23-year-old Sophia Skoro.
"We love each other," he admitted in March 2024, adding of the vingtage clothing busniess owner, "One of the coolest human beings on earth. The baddest b---h alive. She's got this unconventional sense of humor. She's sharp as hell, super successful."
Katie Maloney
Two years after her divorce from Tom Schwartz, Maloney revealed she's "in love" and in a serious relationship with her new mystery boyfriend.
"Hhe just makes me feel really special, and he's really special," she shared on her Disrespectfully podcast in October 2024. "I'm just really, really happy."