Every Vanderpump Rules Relationship And Rumor Explained
This article contains references to suicide, racism, and transphobia.
Picture this — you're a twenty-something aspiring star serving goat cheese balls at a busy West Hollywood restaurant. While you're awaiting your big break, you settle for a spot on a reality show that scrutinizes your work and personal life in the meantime. That's the premise for Bravo's hit show "Vanderpump Rules," the one that is executive produced by former Beverly Hills housewife, Lisa Vanderpump. The show first aired in 2013 and it followed the shenanigans of Vanderpump's attractive employees working at her popular restaurant SUR, as well as their relationships, break-ups, make-ups, and screw-ups as the aspiring models and actors navigated life in Los Angeles. The show has featured a revolving door of cast members, but for years key players were documented as they transitioned from servers to business owners, homeowners, and parents.
While the majority of the "Vanderpump Rules" current cast no longer works at SUR, they haven't lost their knack for stirring up drama in their personal lives. As the show goes on, it continues to promise multiple cast member break-ups and romantic shake-ups. As such, it's never a bad time to revisit the controversies of "VPR's" past. So raise your glasses high, because this is every "Vanderpump Rules" relationship and rumor explained.
Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney divorced after 12 years
Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney met two years before cameras documented their on-screen relationship on "VPR." According to Bravo, the two former SUR employees met via a mutual friend — former cast member, Kristen Doute. Per People, the two weathered many storms during their nine seasons on the show, including intense fights and Schwartz's alleged infidelity, but they ultimately tied the knot in 2016. Sadly, the two called it quits six years after their first nuptials (there was a second official wedding in 2019 due to incomplete paperwork,) and announced their divorce in 2022.
In an Instagram post, Schwartz commiserated the split, writing, "How am I supposed to capture 12 years of love in a f***ing canned Instagram caption[?] Katie and I are separating. Fully respect Katie's decision and we've had healthy, productive conversations about it."
The cast of "VPR" had their own feelings about the decade-long romance fizzling out, and they weren't holding back. Though Maloney swears she told her cast members there's no need to pick sides, it appeared they did so anyway. Speaking to YouTuber, Zach Peter, Brock Davies suggested that he and his wife, Scheana Shay, naturally positioned themselves in one person's corner. "It's a preference. I prefer to be around one of them as opposed to the other," he said. "... There is a side. We picked one." According to the shade he threw at Maloney via an Instagram comment, Shay and Davies appear to be team Schwartz.
Raquel Leviss and James Kennedy's rocky relationship
It's been quite the journey for Raquel Leviss and James Kennedy. According to Us Weekly, Leviss was first introduced to viewers in 2016 after the DJ had been romantically involved with "VPR"'s Kristen Doute and Lala Kent in prior seasons. SUR employee number three seemed to be the charm for Kennedy, with his new girlfriend supporting his sobriety journey and weathering his anger-fueled outbursts with cast members throughout multiple seasons. In 2021, Leviss announced the pair's festival-themed engagement on Instagram, writing, "I'm over the Coachella Moon."
Their proposal and engagement were documented in Season 9 of "VDR," and appeared to show two people head over heels in love. So fans were shocked when the pair announced their split that same year. "I've been having nightmares about our wedding day and I think that's a tell-tale sign that something's wrong," Leviss told Andy Cohen during the Season 9 reunion (via Daily Mail). Meanwhile, Kennedy recalled asking Leviss if she thought he was her soul mate, to which she asked him if he thought that about her. "It was almost like the first time I felt like we weren't destined in the galaxy," he confessed.
According to an episode of the "Give Them Lala" podcast, the British DJ moved on quickly, meeting his new girlfriend, Ally Lewber in January, just a month after he announced his split with his ex-fiance. As for Leviss, the former pageant queen told fans at BravoCon, "I'm single and I'm living my life."
Katie was disinvited from Scheana and Brock's wedding
Not every "VPR" cast member was present at Scheana Shay and Brock Davies' wedding in Cancun in August 2022. What should have been a happy time for the couple was instead full of drama. When the fan account, PumpRulesBravo, shared a news blast alleging that Maloney had screamed at castmates, Raquel Leviss and Tom Schwartz after the two were caught making out at the wedding, a fan noted that the former wine entrepreneur wasn't even in attendance at the ceremony. Davies responded in a comment, "She was disinvited and rocked up anyways for a 'girls trip.'" Curiously, Maloney responded to the same post with the comment, "I'm enjoying all these untruths," alongside a popcorn emoji.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Leviss confirmed that the smooching sesh had indeed happened. "We just had fun. And we just, you know, live in the moment and I guess it felt right to share a kiss in the moment," she stated. However, don't hold out hope for a new "VPR" couple, as Schwartz told the outlet that the pair aren't dating. But that didn't stop Maloney from throwing shade at Leviss. Responding to a post about Leviss on the Bravo fan account, See You Next Mondayy, she commented, "She a fan girl. Started as a fan of the show and now a fan of the Tom's." Truths or untruths, fans definitely got their popcorn ready for what looked to be a wild tenth season.
Raquel Leviss rebounded with her cast members
In 2022, Raquel Leviss was seemingly shedding her pageant girl persona for some steamy rebounds with her "VPR" cast members — and it wasn't just Tom Schwartz she'd been involved with. The reality star told Us Weekly that she went on a few dates with former "VDR" cast member, Peter Madrigal, as she got back into the dating pool following her split with James Kennedy. "He asked me out after my breakup, obviously, and I was like, 'Well why not? Right?' I'm a yes-man now," she said.
If you're going to rebound, why not keep it in the network? That same year, Leviss was accused of having hooked up with Oliver Saunders, who works at Lisa Vanderpump's Las Vegas restaurant, "Vanderpump á Paris." Oliver's wife, Samantha Saunders, took to Instagram to air her husband and baby daddy's dirty laundry. "Since Oliver has started working at [Vanderpump á Paris] he has disrespected me and my kids in every way possible," she wrote, "I have found out he has made out with Raquel while filming ["Vanderpump Rules" and] plans to continue to go on a date with Raquel while filming."
While Samantha posted on her Instagram Stories (via Page Six) that she doesn't blame Leviss, it looks like the damage is done. After she hacked her husband's account to post receipts of his adultery, Oliver wrote on his Instagram Stories (via TheTalkofShame), "I apologize for my Sons mother putting my business out there. We are getting divorced."
Tom Schwartz has eyes for a 'Southern Charm' babe
Apparently, Raquel Leviss wasn't the only one looking for a Bravo rebound. Newly divorced Tom Schwartz may have had his eyes on "Southern Charm"s Taylor Ann Green. Andy Cohen seemed to ship the idea at BravoCon putting the two on the spot onstage about a future love connection. Schwartz told Showbiz Cheat Sheet, "Listen, she's gorgeous." He also copped to finding the BravoCon shoutout awkward — not least of all because he's pals with the "Southern Charm" and "Summer House" gang, including Green's ex-boyfriend, Shep Rose. "I'm usually pretty good at being diplomatic, but I kind of just shut down, blushed, and put my head down like a schoolboy," he confessed.
Speaking to Bravo, Green admitted to having attempted to steal a birthday kiss from Schwartz at a BravoCon event but was too nervous to make the move because his mom was in attendance. If the two end up as a Bravo crossover couple, then at the very least Green's ex-boyfriend, Rose would support the union. "I love Thomas Schwartz!" he gushed to E! News, "... If she ends up with a very good guy that makes her happy that would make me happy."
Randall Emmett's cheating scandal
Randall Emmett and Lala Kent's five-year relationship publicly imploded when the movie producer was caught cheating in 2021. Instagram sleuths caught Emmett returning to a Nashville hotel with two women, allegedly attempting to hide when he was noticed. Upon being sent the photos, Kent says she knew her fiance was not who she thought he was. "I immediately, was like, sick to my stomach. This person is not who you think he is. And my intuition was absolutely correct." she said in an interview with SiriusXM, claiming that her ex was involved with many women.
Kent spent 12 days pretending everything was fine with Emmett, all the while planning to move out of their home while he was on a work trip. She claimed that during those days, Emmett threatened to call the police on her if she left the house with their daughter Ocean. "He did send people to watch me, luckily they didn't watch me move out," Kent told SiriusXM.
In 2022, Emmett opened up about their split during an episode of the "Genuinely GG" podcast, stating, "I will never disparage or talk ill about her because she's Ocean's mom" he explained. "... There's always two sides to every story, but I'm just not gonna ever take that to the public." Still, Kent had no problem spilling the tea. "Let's talk about it," she wrote in an Instagram comment (via Page Six). "He started a relationship with a 23-year-old in March of 2021 — the same month I gave birth."
Brock Davies dodged deadbeat dad allegations
Brock Davies caused quite a stir on Season 9 of "VDR" when it was revealed the father of three has an estranged relationship with the two children he shares with his Australian ex-girlfriend. The "VPR" star wasn't allowed to see his kids until he paid off child support. However, he went on to have a daughter, Summer Moon, in 2021 with his wife, Scheana Shay. Davies told Us Weekly that he ultimately paid his bills but has yet to speak with his kids. "That's going to be a long one to fix," Davies said, "The damage was done with me and [their mom]. Now it's just a waiting game."
On an episode of Lala Kent's podcast, "Give Them Lala," the Australian star acknowledged that his ex-girlfriend's partner has been a stable presence in his children's lives. "They're in a good situation with someone who's treating them like their own kids," he said. "... I did have two kids but I wasn't a good dad for them."
As for his portrayal on the show, Davies is less than pleased with his edit. "It's unfortunate that it comes across as like, deadbeat dad, because that's what I've dealt with since my separation with my ex," he said on "#NoFilter with Zach Peter." "I thought that to be true — until I met Scheana — until I had this opportunity to be a dad again."
Stassi Schroeder's rift with Brittany Cartwright
When Stassi Schroeder tied the knot in Italy with her long-time man, Beau Clark, a few guests were notably missing from the ceremony — Brittany Cartwright and her husband, Jax Taylor. Fans put two and two together when Cartwright went on the "Betches Moms" podcast in June 2022 and revealed that she was in the midst of a rift. "With me and Stassi, there's some things going on, which I hate. I love her to pieces. And I wish we could figure this out," she dished.
During an episode of her and Clark's Patreon-only podcast, "The Good The Bad The Baby" (via Us Weekly), Schroeder discussed the rift in question and the hurt caused by the couple's absence from the wedding. "To our faces, they are telling us that they are coming, but behind our back, [Jax] is texting Beau's best friend that they're not," she said. "Good friends don't do that. They don't talk s*** about your wedding behind your back or pretend that they're coming and give a list of reasons why they're not coming to other people."
Meanwhile, Cartwright defended herself by telling the "Betches Moms" podcast that she and Taylor had legitimate reasons why they couldn't attend the wedding, including issues with their baby's passport and experiencing a death in the family. At the time of writing, former besties Cartwright and Schroeder are still following each other on Instagram, so there's still hope that these moms can work it out.
Jax Taylor and Tom Sandoval are the best of frenemies
No "Vanderpump Rules" fan can forget when Jax Taylor famously told Tom Sandoval "I'm the number one guy in the group." The two have had a reality tv rollercoaster of a relationship that left fans always wondering where they stood. While Taylor has seemingly ditched his bad boy behavior for diapers and parenting life, it doesn't mean he's above feuding with his former castmates.
These two frenemies never seem to find their footing. In Season 2, Taylor shocked viewers when he slept with Sandoval's girlfriend and former SUR employee, Kristen Doute. While Sandoval eventually got past his anger and moved on to Ariana Madix, it was always an ego match between the two bartenders, season after season. In 2021, Taylor told Access Hollywood that in the year since he'd left "VPR," he'd shared very few words with Sandoval. "It's nothing against him personally. I'm just going a different way in my life. He's going a different way in his life," Taylor said, "Nothing wrong with that, it's just growing."
The two did come together in 2022 for a boat day with Taylor sharing photos to his Instagram Stories (via Reality Blurb), which included his on-again-off-again frenemy, Sandoval. Other current and former "VPR" cast members also enjoyed a sunny reunion on the water while some of their kids tagged along for a playdate.
Billie Lee said her former co-stars treated her like trash
Former cast member and LGBTQ+ activist, Billie Lee stated that "Vanderpump Rules" left her suicidal. The star came on the scene during Season 6 and was open about her life as a transgender woman. In 2020, the former "SUR" server told Page Six that while the cameras rolled, castmates were supportive of her, but behind her back it was a different story. "I slipped into a really bad depression ... and when the suicidal thoughts came in, that's when I knew I had to really, like, check my mental health and get back into order and disconnect myself from the whole 'Vanderpump' stuff."
Lee also claimed that Jax Taylor told her he felt grossed out after once finding out someone he kissed was transgender, and that he was annoyed by being corrected on using acceptable trans terminology. The former cast member also alleged that Taylor refused to film with her over fears that he would do or say something offensive regarding the transgender community. "He said, 'Yeah, I didn't want you around because I don't want everything I worked hard for to be taken away. We shouldn't have to tippytoe around Billie because she's trans,'" Lee alleged.
Speaking to In Touch (via The Sun) that same year, Lee suggested that Taylor wasn't transphobic, so much as he was self-absorbed and ignorant. "He's just an awful person," she clarified.
If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Stassi and Kristen once called the cops on their co-star
Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute got the Bravo ax when their former co-star, Faith Stowers, revealed that they called the police on her after misidentifying her as a black woman wanted for robbery. Stowers dropped the bombshell revelation during an Instagram Live interview with Candace Rice. In it, the former "VDR" star claimed that her co-stars called the Los Angeles Police after they found out she slept with Jax Taylor while he was dating Brittany Cartwright. "They thought it was me because it was a black woman with a weave," said Stowers. Schroeder admitted to the ordeal, even bragging about her and Doute's hatched plan to get Stowers arrested on the "B*tch Bible" podcast (via Reality Wives). There, she discussed comparing the pictures of a wanted criminal with those of Stowers to see if their tattoos and wigs looked alike.
When Stower's interview caused the story to resurface in 2021, Bravo fired Schroeder and Doute from the franchise — prompting apologies from both stars. On Instagram (via Page Six), Doute wrote a lengthy note to her fans in which she shared her desire to be a better person, stating, "I'm ashamed, embarrassed, and incredibly sorry." Meanwhile, in her own Instagram post addressing the incident, Schroeder insisted that she had grown up considerably since she made these comments. "What I did to Faith was wrong," she wrote. "I apologize and I do not expect forgiveness."