After several uncertain years, the Bravo reality series ‘Vanderpump Rules’ seems to have gained a second life.
In the past two months, news broke that Tom Sandoval, a co-star on the show, was cheating on Ariana Madix, his girlfriend of nearly ten years, with their friend and fellow cast member Raquel Leviss. Viewer interest in the show has declined in recent years. But with this new twist, that is no longer the case if there will be a season 11. It’s more a matter of what that will look like.
While the show – following the drama of people who worked and currently work at the West Hollywood restaurant SUR, owned by Lisa Vanderpump, a breakout star of another Bravo reality show “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” – has seen its fair share of controversies, none have had this level of impact and fallout. The cast isn’t just a bunch of young adults anymore; the stakes are higher, and “Scandoval,” as the affair is dubbed, dismantled not only their romantic relationships, but also their financial futures, friendships, and real life off-camera. In turn, public interest has been piqued.
Ms. Madix has long been a fan favorite on “Vanderpump Rules” because she spoke openly about her struggles with grief and mental health. And now that the affair has come to light, her popularity has skyrocketed.
Now her star is rising. She’s scored brand deals with companies like Bloomingdale’s and Bic Razors, launched her own line of merchandise, starred in a Lifetime movie, and even attended the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. She is also in the process of opening a sandwich shop with her friend and fellow cast member Katie Maloney.
Season 10 ended filming last fall, but cameras picked up again in March after producers learned about the affair. In an edited interview, Ms. Madix spoke for the first time in months about Mr. Sandoval and how she feels about being on reality TV.
Why do you think the public has clung to this cheating scandal?
I think our relationship was so long that people, myself included, saw it as an end game. I also think the people involved were so duplicitous and deceitful. [Mr. Sandoval] was also someone who constantly preached about integrity when it came to other people taking responsibility and I think that shift in him – not having integrity – is something that shocked people. Moreover, there are also so many people who can empathize with the situation and put themselves in my shoes.
Your professional success seems to come at the expense of your personal life. How do you struggle with that?
It’s a lot of pressure because for any woman going public or any woman in general going through anything, there are a lot of expectations about how to handle things. It’s a lot of pressure when someone puts you on a pedestal; eventually you will fall off. I just try to stay centered in myself and make sure I’m just being and living my life, and sometimes that means making mistakes and not doing what everyone else wants me to do. But it’s really incredible to have that support and I feel like there’s a price to it, a very unexpected price.
How did it feel to resume filming after news of the affair broke?
A lot of times I feel like with our friend group and with our show I’m in a position where someone said something or there was an argument, and I wasn’t there to see it, so I struggle to know how I feel for such’ a situation. In this situation I felt so strong. I knew exactly how I felt.
What was it like filming the show’s season finale with your ex?
When he sat down on that couch [during filming] and tried to sack the sad, I knew he’d try to sell a little. I knew he was trying to be that person so that I would be the angry person; I could see what was happening right in front of me, and it was really frustrating. Honestly, when he started yelling at me, I felt a little satisfied that he was finally going to be the real he.
Kristen Doute, Tom’s ex-girlfriend, also appeared in the finale with you. Your friendship has come a long way. Why was it important to film this scene? She was at my house [after I found out about the affair]. I think my blood was 80 percent rosé and nicotine at the time, because I was burning the wick at both ends. She was asked [by producers] if [she would film] and she said, “This is up to you.” I love her dearly. Their relationship was very different from my relationship with him, but at the same time I think there is a common denominator when it comes to certain issues. The crazy thing is that their relationship ended 10 years ago, and yet he somehow managed not to grow in those areas at all.
What was it like filming the reunion?
It was a bit of a weird day because I feel like with every other reunion we usually go through the entire season. But at this reunion it was really just everyone against one or against two [cast members]. We’ve never been so united.
Do you think there’s room for redemption for Tom or Raquel?
I think any chance either of them had separately for that ended when they started giving trash interviews victimizing themselves, her TMZ [interview] and his Howie Mandel [interview]. I think if they hadn’t done or said all those horrible things, maybe one day, but I think the answer is ultimately no. In our group of friends, the answer is no.
Are you open to filming with them?
No. I have nothing to say to either of them. Our show is very real and follows a real friend group, and neither of us are in the friend group, so good luck.
Has this experience changed your feeling about reality TV?
I’ve always had a little bit of that fear of saying something that would upset someone or whatever, and I still have that to some degree. But I also feel like the worst things that could happen to anyone have happened to me on this show: losing Charlotte, my 18-year-old dog, losing my grandmother, this whole thing is happening very publicly. Part of me feels like, what’s the worst that could happen? The worst has already happened. So going forward, it kind of feels like, what can’t I handle right now?
