Vanderpump Rules Reboot: The Real Reason Behind the Total Cast Shakeup and What Role Money Played (Exclusive)

• On Tuesday, November 26, Bravo announced that Vanderpump Rules will return with an all-new cast for Season 12
• A source close to the situation tells PEOPLE that Bravo felt it needed to continue with the new group because “nothing has changed between the cast since the reunion.”
• Another insider tells PEOPLE that money wasn’t a factor in Bravo’s decision: “It’s completely driven by creativity.”

Some were surprised by SUR Vanderpump Rules viewers that Bravo will reboot the series for a 12th season.

The network announced on Tuesday, November 26 that Vanderpump Rules will return for Season 12 with an all-new cast, except for SUR and TomTom owner Lisa Vanderpump. While Bravo hasn’t released the names of the new stars, the outlet described them as “close-knit SUR-faith who are just as intricately connected to each other as their iconic predecessors.”

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A source close to the situation tells PEOPLE that the legacy cast — which includes James Kennedy, Lala Kent, Ariana Madix, Katie Maloney, Scheana Shay, Tom Schwartz and Tom Sandoval — has learned of VPR reboot one day before the news goes public.

“They’re understandably upset that it’s coming to an end, but nobody’s necessarily surprised,” says the insider. “It’s more of a relief that they finally have an answer.”

Because “there were so many factions” among the cast following the Season 11 reunion, a source reveals that Bravo felt they should continue with a new group.

“There was a long hiatus in production, and nothing has changed between the cast since the reunion,” says the source. “Everyone was still stuck in their feelings and refused to bend. The network felt there was no way forward with the group in that capacity.”

Lisa Vanderpump at the Hollywood Palladium on January 17, 2024 in Los Angeles.

Callaway/Variety River via Getty

It also didn’t help that “the group’s ties to SUR and Lisa were practically non-existent,” notes a source close to the situation, since most of the cast no longer worked at the LA restaurant.

“It just didn’t make sense to continue,” the source continues. “This is an attempt to recalibrate and return the show to what made it such a success in the first place. It’s a fresh start, and the players they have are interested and motivated to participate. Fans will be pleased with what they see. It will feel like a return to form.”

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Kent (34), Schwartz (42), Shay (39) and her husband Brock Davies will appear in the upcoming season VPR spinoff Valleywhile Sandoval, 42, will compete in his third season Traitors and Madix, 39, continues to host Island of love USA. Bravo will also do a season 11 retrospective special with the previous cast.

“The network is not closing the door to cooperation with anyone in the future,” says the source. “They will always explore opportunities to bring these stars back to their screens.”

‘Vanderpump Rules’ vets Brock Davies and Scheana Shay at the Season 10 reunion party.

Noam Galai/Bravo via Getty Images

Another source insists that money did not play a factor in Bravo’s decision to start over, noting that the network decided on the reboot before salary talks with former cast members began.

“It’s completely creative driven,” says the insider. “There were no negotiations between the cast and the network where money was discussed at all.”

The cast of ‘Vanderpump Rules’ (from left): Lala Kent, James Kennedy, Katie Maloney, Ariana Madix, Andy Cohen, Lisa Vanderpump, Tom Sandoval, Tom Schwartz and Scheana Shay.

Nicole Weingart/Bravo

Kent reacted to the news on Instagram on Tuesday, November 25, calling SUR “a place that has become home.”

“I have such mixed feelings right now,” she wrote. “It’s no secret that I don’t like change. This is an exception. I want to say thank you for rocking with us for so many years. This show changed my whole life. I am incredibly grateful for every moment. I am incredibly grateful for Bravo, for NBCU, for our crew, the entire cast, and most importantly, all of you. We sniffed this bitch until the wheels fell off 💃”

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Madix couldn’t find the words to sum up her time on the show.

“There is no post or description that can ever sum it all up.” Madix, who started as a guest in season one before becoming a series regular in season two, wrote on Instagram on Nov. 26. “Forever grateful to have been a part of such an incredible cultural phenomenon. Thank you @bravo, @lisavanderpump, @evolutionmedia for every experience over the last 10+ years. Thank you to every single crew member, producer and our showrunners. Seeing you every summer was like giving back going home to see my family! which I will miss a lot, but you have my number so… just send me a message 😂.”

Maloney, 37, took to her Instagram Stories on Nov. 26 to say she “wouldn’t change a thing” about her time on the show. “Thank you for the memories and love over the past 11 years,” she added.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Vanderpump Rules Seasons 1-11 air on Peacock.

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Source: HIS Education