The drama-fueled reality TV series Vanderpump Rules has seen some famous faces come and go after more than a decade on air.
The Bravo series became a household name in 2023 after Tom Sandoval cheated on Ariana Madix, who he was with for nine years, with her close friend, Raquel Leviss. Although Tom and Raquel are not still together, their affair and the subsequent fallout certainly made for some entertaining television!
Now that the trio has made the show a household name, fans are wondering if other stars, like Peter Madrigal, will be missed after deciding to leave the show.
Why Did Peter Madrigal Decide To Leave Vanderpump Rules?
It seems that Peter Madrigal is not going to work for less than he’s worth!
Movie director Peter Madrigal, who has directed movies such as Daddy’s Home and The Oliver, was noticeably absent from season 11 of Vanderpump Rules. The SUR manager has been a fixture on the series since its 2012 debut and has worked with show matriarch Lisa Vanderpump for over a decade.
Although he has always played more of a supporting role in the series, he has been a key part of the show. Unfortunately, it seems that producers did not feel the same way, as they told him that he could return for season 11, but warned that he would not be paid for his participation.
“My choice was to come back to the show for free or not do it. That’s basically what happened. So I’ve been getting paid on the show since the inception of the show, and then they asked me to do it for free,” Peter explained on the Bravo & Blaze podcast, adding that producers “didn’t have any payment for me in the budget.”
Despite being a manager at SUR, Peter was a friend to many of the cast members and had gone on to day Katie Maloney, Stassi Schroeder, and other employees. Although he did not return for season 11, fans wonder if he will be missed given that there seems to be enough drama going on without him!
Fans Debate If Peter Madrigal Will Be Missed On Vanderpump Rules
Is there enough drama to help the show survive without Peter Madrigal?
Despite being a fixture of the show since 2012, some Vanderpump Rules fans are tired of Peter Madrigal and his role on the show. One fan of the show took to Reddit to complain about the reality TV personality, claiming that he acted like Matthew McConaughey’s character in “Dazed and Confused.” They went on to say, “I know he’s the same age as the rest of the cast but he honestly looks like the creepy old guy preying on the young staff.”
Believe it or not, most of the fans who responded to the post were actually missing him during season 11. “Peter is the only one who actually works there. Not just for the cameras. So he gets a pass on all criticism,” one user stated. “I like Peter. He gives the show a little bit of balance,” another user agreed.
- “Peter is a real-life case study of ‘nice guys finish last.’ I’m a first-time watcher of VPR and I watched him maturely navigate his friendships and his SUR manager job for 10+ seasons. He’s a fantastic guy. Long hair or short, I’m a Peter fan!” another follower exclaimed, adding, “Now… his voice is a little dopey but that makes me like him more!”
- “I think Peter seems like an actual nice guy and probably one of the most normal people on the show. I think he sometimes seems awkward in front of the camera but maybe that’s because he actually had a career at SUR and isn’t there to be on TV,” another user offered, prompting another fan to add, “Awkward is what makes him so endearing.”
Drama Unfolded During The Vanderpump Rules Season 11 Season
Peter Madrigal did not seem to be missed during the season 11 reunion.
During the Vanderpump Rules season 11 reunion special, Peter Madrigal did not make an appearance. However, it seems that his presence might not have even been needed, given the amount of drama that unfolded between the cast members.
At the beginning of the third part of the reunion, host Andy Cohen asked Katie Maloney about the “online” speculation that Jax Taylor had been unfaithful to his estranged wife Brittany Cartwright.
Scheana Shay said she didn’t believe the rumors of infidelity but admitted, “I know Brittany has his passwords and she has gone through his phone and DMs.” However, Katie insisted that he wouldn’t be sloppy enough to leave evidence lying around on his phone.
Lala Kent then revealed that there was no love lost between her and Brittany, who she claims disrespected her on the day of her gender reveal party.
“Brittany acted so out of pocket on the day of my gender reveal,” Lala explained. “She reached out to my mother and was so f–king out of pocket.”
Scheana Shay and Ariana Madix Discuss Their Friendship
Will Scheana Shay and Ariana Madix be able to repair their friendship?
Although the friendship between Lala and Brittany might not be able to be repaired, Scheana Shay and Ariana Madix are working to repair their friendship.
“I have been in her corner and supported her since day 1 in that. Obviously, this year was a little bit more difficult for us,” Ariana explained. “When I am going through things, I isolate as well and that is my fault.”
“She’s busier than she’s ever been. Even before we started filming, I did feel distance,” Scheana agreed before addressing Ariana directly. “I know you have done that to other people in your life who are close to you as well so I know it is not just me.”
Andy Cohen then asked Scheana to address fan speculation that she was jealous of Ariana and the career opportunities she received after Sandoval cheated on her.
“I don’t think it is jealousy. It is a feeling of being left out. Call me a pick me, whatever the f–k you want to say. I do like feeling that validation — not just from men — but from my friends,” Scheana said. “As she was getting all this opportunity, I didn’t want her to forget about me. I wanted to be on the journey with her.”
After splitting from Sandoval, Ariana went on to date martial arts instructor Daniel Wai, who did not appear in the season as much as fans expected.
“Initially he was just going to come to L.A. and hang out with me there. Because these dates ended up being what it was [he came with],” Ariana explained, going on to say that he “doesn’t want to be on this show” because he’s “not getting paid.”
Lisa Vanderpump Weighs In After Tom Sandoval Apologizes To Ariana Madix
Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix’s reunion scene was one of the highlights of the episode.
Even though they have both moved on with other people, fans have still been waiting for Ariana and Tom to hash things out. During the reunion, they finally got their wish.
One topic that quickly surfaced was Tom’s explosive reaction when Ariana said that she didn’t want to film scenes with him. She claimed that his reaction “proved” that he only wanted to interact with her on the show in order to boost ratings.
“I just want you away from me. I just want you gone. I don’t want to be in a position where I am being forced,” Ariana said. “I am not forced to do anything. I will have that conversation with everybody else but I am not in a place to have a conversation with you. I was in that moment just about to be used.”
“With the double life, I don’t know who you are. So I’m sorry that that is something you have a hard time with but that is the consequences of your actions toward me,” Ariana added, prompting Tom to give a tearful apology.
“I just want to say to you that I am sorry. I am not asking you to forgive me. I know you won’t. I know you don’t want to be around me,” he said. “Whatever our relationship was — the good and the bad — you didn’t deserve that. And I am sorry from the bottom of my heart. I regret it every single day. It is a badge of shame. I did the thing I said I would never do to you.”
He went on to say, “I feel really bad about that. I wish you the best and I will give you your space. We will figure everything out. We have our lawyers, don’t worry about it. I understand.”
Surprisingly, matriarch Lisa Vanderpump expressed her support for Ariana’s decision not to film with Tom during the reunion special.
“You have a point that maybe people weren’t exactly honest but if Ariana is walking away, at that point no one can tell me she hasn’t shown up,” Lisa said. “She has shown up. If I had been in that situation, I wouldn’t have shown up. Yes, she has. Sometimes, it is OK to walk away.”
It remains to be seen if the drama between the cast members will continue, as there is doubt that Vanderpump Rules will return for season 12. It seems that Lisa Vanderpump is already looking for new career opportunities, as she surprised fans when she appeared on the second season of Gordon Ramsay’s Fox culinary competition show Food Stars.