Captain Lee Reacts to 'VPR' Salary Talks: Assessing Contributions

Captain Lee Rosbach from Below Deck shared his thoughts on the salary negotiations of Vanderpump Rules cast members Tom Sandoval and Rachel “Raquel” Leviss' affair. In his podcast episode "Salty With Captain Lee" on Wednesday, March 13, the 74-year-old discussed the recent headlines about the cast requesting pay raises for season 11. He mentioned that he didn't quite understand the need for these raises.

He asked cohost Sam DeCavalcanti what James [Kennedy] did to contribute to their desire for more money. They were only involved in a ménage à trois, with just the three of them.

After ten seasons on Bravo, Vanderpump Rules shook the Bravo universe in March 2023 with the news of Sandoval's split from Ariana Madix. This came after almost a decade of dating, due to his infidelity. Madix, 38, and Sandoval, 41, returned for season 11, but Leviss, 29, decided to leave the show instead.

Executive producer Alex Baskin recently discussed the discussions surrounding season 11 salaries. He mentioned to the Los Angeles Times in January that the process was particularly challenging this time. In past seasons, they had a set rate and tenure card to refer to, but this time there were various requests to consider.

Baskin pointed out that some requests were immediately turned down, such as a producer credit as it was not negotiable. However, he anticipated that it would take some time for the cast to adjust their expectations. It was important to keep them informed about the current state of the industry and the challenges faced by shows nowadays.

Below Deck’s Captain Lee Weighs In on ‘VPR’ Salary Negotiations: ‘What Did James Do to Contribute?'

Katie Maloney, Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval, Lisa Vanderpump, James Kennedy, Lala Kent, Tom Schwartz, and Scheana Shay of ‘Vanderpump Rules.’ Gizelle Hernandez/Bravo

He concluded that the cast members were questioning why they weren't receiving a share of the show's success. These were difficult conversations, but most of the cast wanted to return, except for Rachel who had personal reasons. Leviss mentioned that money was a factor in her decision not to come back.

Leviss shared on Bethenny Frankel's "ReWives" podcast in August 2023 that she had requested equal pay and reimbursement for treatment expenses from Tom and Ariana, but they refused. She expressed her belief that fair compensation reflects the value placed on employees.

Baskin later supported Leviss' perspective in an interview with New York Times Magazine in February. She questioned whether retroactive payment should be given to Leviss for engaging in a secret affair for eight months.

Below Deck’s Captain Lee Weighs In on ‘VPR’ Salary Negotiations: ‘What Did James Do to Contribute?'

Tom Sandoval, Ariana Madix, and Raquel Leviss. Faye's Vision/startraksphoto.com/Cover Images

Lee expressed his support for Leviss during the discussion, mentioning that she is doing what she thinks is right. He also questioned the idea of being rewarded for behaving poorly.

Despite his disagreement with Leviss' involvement in Scandoval, Lee emphasized that he still holds respect for her.

"I find it puzzling. I can't wrap my head around the whole situation," he said. "In the past, people used to be shunned for such behavior, but now they expect to be praised for it. And not just praised, they even want a salary increase."

Below Deck’s Captain Lee Weighs In on ‘VPR’ Salary Negotiations: ‘What Did James Do to Contribute?'

The former Below Deck star also expressed his support for Peter Madrigal. Peter did not come back for season 11 due to salary discussions. He is the manager at SUR and has made appearances on Vanderpump Rules from the first season. Peter recently shared that he was unable to film because of financial reasons.

Madrigal confirmed on the March 1 episode of the “Bravo and Blaze” podcast that he will not be appearing on the show. He explained that it was his choice not to return, as he was given the option to come back for free or not at all.

Madrigal clarified that Bravo did not specifically ask him to work for free. He mentioned that he had been paid for his work on the show from the beginning, but this time around, they did not have the budget to offer him any payment.

Madrigal decided to leave the show for the current season. He explained his decision, saying, "That’s the reason why I was like, ‘Well, you know what? I’m not coming back.' I’m one of the biggest staples there. I’m still at SUR for the most part."

You can catch Vanderpump Rules on Bravo on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET, and it will also be available for streaming on Peacock the following day.

Editor's P/S:

Captain Lee Rosbach's commentary on the salary negotiations of Vanderpump Rules cast members highlights the ongoing debate about the value of reality television stars. While some may question the significance of their contributions, others argue that their personal dramas and authenticity drive ratings. The cast's requests for pay raises reflect their belief in their worth, but it remains to be seen whether Bravo will agree.

Rosbach's support for Raquel Leviss, who left the show due to unequal pay and reimbursement issues, raises ethical concerns. It challenges the notion that individuals should be rewarded for engaging in immoral behavior. Additionally, the situation with Peter Madrigal, who declined to return without payment, sheds light on the financial challenges that reality stars may face. The complexities of salary negotiations in reality television underscore the need for transparency and fair compensation for those who participate in these shows.