Photo: Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images
The season-11 finale of Vanderpump Rules felt almost like a series finale. With Ariana Madix departing Kyle Chan’s “Good As Gold” release party, chunks of the cast not speaking to one another, and yet another summer in WeHo going undocumented, things are looking bleak. As Madix left that party in San Francisco, it could easily have been her exiting the show altogether. Much of the episode focused on Lala Kent and Katie Maloney being the angel and Devil on her shoulders, making arguments on whether living your life on-camera is healing (Lala’s argument) or not worth disturbing your peace (Katie’s). But will Madix actually pump the brakes on Pump Rules?
There is evidence in favor of Ariana leaving: She’s booked and busy! Madix is reprising her role as Roxie Hart in the Broadway perennial Chicago, and VPR’s previous HBIC, Stassi Schroeder, famously left the show when she moved to New York. (She eventually came back.) Madix is also hosting Love Island for Peacock, staying in the NBCUniversal family. Another strong indicator is that Madix hadn’t watched most of the season before filming the reunion, something she discussed with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live.
On the other hand, there are strong indicators that Madix could continue SURving. She recently bought a new home in the Hollywood Hills, which isn’t too far from all the action, and it’s always good to keep income streams going while paying down a mortgage. On WWHL, Madix said she wasn’t in the financial position to quit VPR last season. There have been a lot of brand deals since then, but still — cash is cash. Madix and Maloney’s sandwich shop is allegedly opening soon. Why keep a foothold in the Robertson corridor if not for filming purposes? Quite the pros and cons. Vulture has reached out for comment from NBCUniversal.
