James Kennedy Says He Was ‘Holding Back Tears’ Saying Goodbye to ‘VPR’

As Us gets ready for a brand-new version of Vanderpump Rules in 2025 — so does the OG cast.

Bravo confirmed on Tuesday, November 26, that the show will return for a 12th season with a brand-new group of cast members.

The upcoming season will feature Lisa Vanderpump and a fresh group of “close-knit SUR-vers who are as complicatedly involved with one another as their iconic predecessors.” The new season begins production in 2025, with a premiere date and cast to be announced.

“What a thrill it is to build on the legacy of this series by doing it all over again,” executive producer Alex Baskin said in a statement on Tuesday. “With profound appreciation for the original group and their iconic run, we can’t wait for the audience to see a dynamic new group of co-workers and friends make their way through life together.”

After the news was announced, several cast members from past seasons spoke out on social media and reflected on their experience filming the reality show. Keep reading to see what Katie Maloney, Lala Kent and more stars had to say:

Katie Maloney

“It’s a mixed bag. But I wouldn’t change a thing,” Maloney, 37, shared via her Instagram Story. “Thank you for the memories and the love the last 11 years.”

The Something About Her cofounder also shared a throwback photo of herself wearing a SUR uniform as Dena Deadly’s “Raise Your Glass” played in the background.

Ariana Madix

“Vanderpump Rules, you will forever be that girl 💖 I was up til 4am looking for all the right pics and the right words, but there’s no post or caption that could ever encapsulate everything,” Madix, 39, shared via Instagram. “I am forever grateful to have been a part of such an incredible cultural phenomenon.”

While thanking everyone who worked behind the scenes, Madix told the crew to keep in touch and “just text me” as they move forward on a new chapter.

“Thank you especially to the fans. you’ve been the constant over the last decade. Your love and support is what I’ll miss the most about it ending. You made this show what it is. To the fans who have shown up for us, old and new, it’s all because of you that we are here. Im feeling at peace with closing this chapter and I’m excited for everything that is to come. I don’t know that these were the best days of our lives, but they were definitely something special 💖.”

Kristen Doute

Doute, 41, expressed how happy she was to have met Madix while filming Vanderpump Rules.

“I am so grateful because without it, would we have found each other?” she commented on Madix’s Instagram post. “Cheers to the memories and making new ones.” Madix later replied, “I love you.”

Lala Kent

After joining the show in season 4, which began airing in 2015, Kent, 34, couldn’t help but share some of her “mixed feelings” about the news.

“Sur was a place that became home. I found myself not only sipping on vodka sodas there, but behind a hostess stand. It still to this day is the most intimidating job I’ve ever had,” Kent wrote via Instagram. “A short time later the opportunity to be on a show called Vanderpump Rules landed in front of me. … It’s no secret I do not like change. This is the exception.”

Kent went on to thank everyone “for rocking with us for so many years. This show changed my whole life. I’m unbelievably grateful for every moment. I’m unbelievably grateful for Bravo, for NBCU, for our crew, the entire cast, and most importantly all of you. We rocked this bitch until the wheels fell off 💃.”

Brittany Cartwright

In a series of Instagram Stories, Cartwright, 35, shared a few unforgettable memories from filming Vanderpump Rules including a cast trip to Miami and a brief job at Hooters.

“OMG Some of those VPR memories will be memories I cherish for life,” she wrote online. After spotting Kent’s reflecting Instagram post, Cartwright added, “Oh the memories we made! Love you LaLa.” 

Stassi Schroeder 

Before Schroeder, 36, returns to reality TV via season 2 of Vanderpump Villa, the original Vanderpump Rules star commented on Kent’s Instagram post. “This post made me feel some feelings,” she wrote with a heart emoji.

Lisa Vanderpump

“The last 12 years of filming have been an extraordinary run full of laughter, tears and everything in between,” Vanderpump, 64, said in a statement. “I can’t thank enough those who have shared their lives. How I love you all. In the restaurant business, one shift always gives way to another. Cheers to the next generation of Vanderpump Rules.”

Andy Cohen

After years of hosting the Vanderpump Rules cast for reunions and Watch What Happens Live appearances, Cohen, 56, paid tribute to the original cast online. “These were the best days of our lives…” he wrote via X while quoting lyrics from the show’s theme song.

Rachel ‘Raquel’ Leviss

Leviss’ publicist, Juliette Harris, commented on how the VPR casting shake-up will affect her client. “The good thing for Rachel, at the end of the day, this is all going to go away for her now,” Harris said on an episode of the “Going Rogue” podcast. “That’s going to allow her to get into her existing life.”

Harris also shared, “For Tom Sandoval in particular, this is a very good time to rebrand” following his and Leviss’ cheating scandal which transpired during Sandoval’s relationship with Madix. (News of Sandoval and Leviss’ affair broke in March 2023 and was documented on season 10 and 11 of the Bravo series. Levis didn’t return for season 11, but her past actions were still front and center.)

Tom Schwartz

“How the last 12 years replays in my mind ❤️@bravotv @evolutionusa vintage @liljonhamm edit,” Schwartz wrote via Instagram alongside a video of some of the cast’s best moments set to the Friends theme song.

James Kennedy

Bravo’s favorite reality TV DJ said he was “holding back tears” while writing a tribute to the show.

“It’s been a pleasure being a part of Vanderpump Rules and filling your TV screens with our lives over the past decade,” he shared via Instagram. “I’ve dedicated my life to this show and I’m forever grateful to everyone who tuned in.”

James called out some of his DJ achievements, including Neon Carnival, EDC and Stagecoach.

“I have all of you to thank,” he added. “It’s been a wild ride and I’m excited to see what the future holds. Although this is a bittersweet ending, for me this is just the beginning!”

Stream old episodes of Vanderpump Rules now on Peacock.