The stars of “Vanderpump Rules” are officially saying goodbye after 11 indelible seasons.
Fans have waited with bated breath for confirmation that the hit reality TV series would return after a viral cheating scandal threatened to ruin the show’s dynamic, only for Bravo to confirm Tuesday that the series will indeed come back — but with an all-new, as yet unannounced cast.
Now, some of the show’s original stars — Scheana Shay, Lala Kent, Katie Maloney, Tom Schwartz, James Kennedy, Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix — are sharing bittersweet farewells on Instagram.
“The end of an era, and the start of something new,” Shay wrote Tuesday. “I don’t even know where to begin. … We had one hell of a run! I never could have imagined while shooting the pilot for VPR that it would become what it was, nor go on for as long as it did.”
For those who haven’t yet had the pleasure, “Rules” followed a slew of young Hollywood bartenders and waiters employed by British entrepreneur Lisa Vanderpump, who was routinely baffled by the group’s endless interpersonal relationships, fights and affairs.
“The last 12 years of filming have been an extraordinary run full of laughter, tears and everything in between,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “I can’t thank enough those who have shared their lives. How I love you all. … Cheers to the next generation.”
The show became most famous for its “#Scandoval” in the 10th season, when it was revealed Sandoval was cheating on his girlfriend, Madix, with fellow “Rules” star Rachel Leviss. The scandal ultimately led to mutual legal threats and months of speculation by fans.
Schwartz — who jointly announced Monday with Sandoval that their bar is closing due to lacking business in the wake of “Scandoval” — shared a “Vanderpump” montage scored to the “Friends” theme Tuesday. But not everyone is as sentimental.
“im feeling at peace with closing this chapter and im excited for everything that is to come,” Madix wrote Tuesday on Instagram. “i don’t know that these were the best days of our lives, but they were definitely something special.”
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Those mourning the end of “Vanderpump” can rest easy, as at least four of cast members — Kent, Schwartz, Shay and her husband Brock Davies — will reportedly appear on the next season of “The Valley,” a spinoff that premiered earlier this year.
Season 12 of “Vanderpump Rules” is reportedly starting production next year.