Vanderpump Rules fan favorites join The Valley after show’s entire original cast was axed
Vanderpump Rules alumni Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz are new castmates on the show’s spinoff, The Valley.
Lala, 35, and Tom, 43, have joined season three, Bravo confirmed at BravoCon on Friday.
The news was shared at the Peaks & The Valley panel, along with a trailer and full cast list for The Valley’s offshoot — The Valley: Persian Style.
It comes after the co-stars made cameos in season two of The Valley, and after Jax Taylor exited to work on ‘sobriety, my mental health and coparenting relationship’ with ex-wife Brittany Cartwright.
Fans have anxiously awaited the casting update, with both of the ex-Vanderpump stars spotted filming alongside The Valley cast over several months.
Lala said during’s Friday’s panel: ‘I came on to Vanderpump Rules season four, and they were like a very well-oiled machine. And joining this show, I was the well-oiled machine.’
She added, ‘I had a wonderful time, I will say. But it was just, it was different.’
Vanderpump Rules alumni Lala Kent and Tom Schwartz are new castmates on the show’s spinoff, The Valley; Lala pictured in October 2022
Lala, 35, and Tom, 43, have joined season three, Bravo confirmed at BravoCon on Friday; Tom pictured in May 2024
Vanderpump Rules was one of the biggest reality shows in the world – but suffered a shock shake-up earlier this year with the news the stars would be recast
In July executive producer Alex Baskin spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about where the series was headed.
He acknowledged backlash regarding Lala, Tom, and Scheana Shay’s potential to join The Valley full-time.
‘I think part of what is fun about these series is that there’s something for everyone, and I think there’s a lot of different points of view.
‘And I think obviously those three are very much a part of this group, just naturally, and they’re very comfortable living their lives in front of the cameras,’ he noted.
The producer added, ‘They’re used to it, they’ve been doing it for a long time.’
Bravo previously unveiled a plan to shake up Vanderpump Rules with a fully new cast.
Tom appeared on the Lisa Vanderpump-fronted series — which spawned from her time on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills — throughout all 11 seasons.
Meanwhile, Lala made her debut on the reality show in season four, becoming a full-time cast member in season six.
Lala said on Friday at BravoCon: ‘I came on to Vanderpump Rules season four, and they were like a very well-oiled machine. And joining this show, I was the well-oiled machine’
The season two cast of The Valley pictured in a press portrait
Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules came to an end in May 2024, with the cast ending on a fractured note due to Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval’s scandalous breakup.
The friends and co-stars were divided after taking sides when Tom’s affair with Rachel Leviss was brought to light.
Following the explosive reunion, executive producer Alex teased to THR that the series was not ending.
He said it was ‘definitely possible’ that the original cast might return in some form.
Former Vanderpump stars who already star on The Valley include Kristen Doute and Brittany Cartwright.
Other mainstays are Luke Broderick, Danny and Nia Booko, Jesse Lally, Michelle Saniei, Jason and Janet Caperna, Jasmine Goode, and Zack Wickham.
Vanderpump Rules season 12 will premiere on Bravo on December 2 with a revamped cast.
