Fans, Andy Cohen React To ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Production Pause

It’s not a break up, it’s just a break. The cast of “Vanderpump Rules” will have the summer off from filming the hit reality show, as the show is reportedly pausing production this summer, when the show normally films.

While season 11 is currently airing on Bravo, TMZ reported that a source close to the show stated that production felt the cast needed time to breathe in the wake of Scandoval, the affair between two cast members, Tom Sandoval and Rachel Leviss, that shook things up last year.

“Our sources say Bravo and co. feel they need to give the cast a break and let their lives breathe a bit in the wake of Scandoval—which  has consumed much of the current season ... and which has run dry at this point. We're told producers want to let the cast do their own thing for a bit without jumping right back into another summer of filming—all in the hopes that by the time they come back and shoot ... there'll have been some big developments and new drama to capture.”

While season 11 has seen high ratings for the veteran reality show, many feel this season isn't as exciting as previous ones, as the cast grapples with taking sides after Scandoval. Some refuse to film with each other, or will only film in limited scenes, which has left the season feeling disjointed.

Page Six reported that the cast is on board with the production pause.

“Everyone needs a moment to decompress after two very rough, intense seasons. The cast is looking forward to a break from filming the show.”

The new development is leaving fans wondering whether the show will be picked up for another season, as the dust from Scandoval has settled. Ariana Madix, who skyrocketed to new levels of fame in the wake of Scandoval, recently took over as host of “Love Island USA,” which means she likely won’t be available to film VPR over the summer.

Online, fans speculated about the future of the show.

The Bravo fan account “It's Bravo B----” posted on X, “Let’s be honest. They have to put the show on pause because Ariana is booked for Love Island this summer and production isn’t going to film without her. She’s the star of the show whether Lala and Scheana like it or not. They must be seething.”

Another fan wrote, “#VanderpumpRules put on Pause? GOOD! The worst punishment you can do to Sandoval is to take him off camera. I hope Ariana/Katie come back. I will watch that! I wont watch #TheValley if Scheana & Lala move over. Hard no. I hope they retire the a-holes: Lala, Scheana & Toms.”

On May 1, Deadline reported that Bravo’s Andy Cohen spoke about the pause in production on his SiriusXM radio show, which he gave his blessing to.

“‘We used to do this all the time with the Housewives. We would say, ‘You know what? Let’s put cameras down for, you know, four or five months and come back to them,’ and they will have lived, you know, life. Things will be different,’” he said.

“Sometimes you want to pick cameras right up quickly because there’s stuff happening and you want to get in there right away and sometimes you do want people to live their lives and see how things develop and you know, so, I think it’s a very good idea.”