Bravo is reportedly pressing pause on season 12 of Vanderpump Rules due to fallout from Tom Sandoval’s infidelity scandal. The network is not in a rush to resume production after cameras were quickly picked up again to film a new finale for season 10, which aired in early 2024. Some viewers felt that the quick turnaround led to conversations feeling stale and less high-stakes. Production for season 11 began in June 2023, three months after Ariana learned about the affair, leading to record-breaking ratings for Bravo and Peacock.
Ariana, Sandoval, Rachel, and their co-stars hashed out the drama in a dramatic reunion special. It is speculated that production may be delayed to accommodate Ariana’s busy schedule, as she is set to host Love Island USA, which is set to film in summer 2024. This could potentially conflict with the typical filming schedule for Vanderpump Rules. Lala Kent, who is expecting her second child via IUI, expressed that her priority is motherhood and that she is open to filming or taking a break from the show.
During an appearance on Fox’s New Day Cleveland, Sandoval discussed the burnout that came with documenting his scandal and expressed his excitement about the reported pause in production. He welcomed the idea of taking a break and felt that filming at a different time of year could bring a fresh feeling to the show. Andy Cohen, the Bravo executive, also weighed in on the potential hiatus, mentioning that giving the cast time to live their lives off-camera could improve the franchise. He acknowledged that fans can forget the timeline of the show, leading to confusion about the raw reactions shown on screen.
Cohen noted that taking breaks in filming was a common practice with the Housewives franchise and that it allowed the cast to live and experience life between seasons. He and Ariana discussed how the show’s timeline could be forgotten by viewers, leading to confusion about the reactions shown. While initially beneficial to show the raw emotions of the cast, he believed that the drama had run its course and that a break in production could help the cast live their lives and see how things develop naturally before returning to film. Overall, there is support from both the cast and executives for a potential pause in filming to refresh the show and allow the cast time to live their lives off-camera.
