Lisa Vanderpump Reveals What to Expect at 'Vanderpump Rules' Season 11 Reunion

Lisa Vanderpump hinted that fans of Vanderpump Rules should get ready for a reunion filled with emotions. "It begins slowly and gradually intensifies," Lisa, 63, shared exclusively with We as she talked about her new Hulu show Vanderpump Villa. "And it concludes with all of us shedding tears."

The upcoming reunion was filmed on Saturday, March 16. Lisa addressed viewers who felt she was “defending” Tom Sandoval throughout the season in her interview with Us. Sandoval, 41, was on the outs with his costars during season 11 after his split from Ariana Madix due to his affair with Rachel “Raquel” Leviss.

Lisa clarified that she was not defending Sandoval's actions. She pointed out that what he did was not okay, but also mentioned that other people on the show have also made similar mistakes. She explained that while his behavior was wrong, it was important to consider that he did not commit a crime like murder.

Lisa Vanderpump Denies Defending Tom Sandoval After Scandal Teases VPR Reunion Ending in Tears

Lisa Vanderpump, Tom Sandoval. Gizelle Hernandez/Bravo(2)

Lisa expressed her continued support for Ariana, emphasizing that they were all hurt by the situation. She also made it clear to Bravo that it was important for her to help bring the group together by addressing the issue on the show.

Looking back on season 11, Lisa mentioned that Sandoval was having a hard time dealing with the negative response from the public.

"It was overwhelming for one person to handle," she shared. "There are many positive things about Tom Sandoval that often go unnoticed. He's not a bad person, despite how he was being portrayed. He made a mistake."

In conclusion, she expressed, "I care for all of them. As a motherly figure to them, watching them mature, I believe anyone in my position would strive to promote mutual understanding and growth among them."

Lisa Vanderpump Denies Defending Tom Sandoval After Scandal Teases VPR Reunion Ending in Tears

Chelsea Guglielmino/Bravo

In a recent episode of Vanderpump Rules, Sandoval opened up to Lisa about how deeply the scandal had impacted him emotionally.

He expressed his frustration, saying, "If I apologize and show my emotions, it's dismissed as crocodile tears. I even struggled with suicidal thoughts."

Sandoval shared, "I felt like I was barely holding on. It felt like everything was closing in on me, and I couldn't see beyond the pain and hurt. I couldn't even imagine a brighter future. I reached a point where I questioned the purpose of it all."

Sandoval opened up about why he chose to openly discuss his mental health challenges during a podcast episode called "Everybody Loves Tom". He mentioned that the conversation lasted nearly two hours but was condensed to just a few minutes.

During the podcast, he also touched upon the difficulties he faced in his friendships. Feeling unheard, attacked, and unable to do anything right, Sandoval shared that he felt like people were trying to drive his friends away from him.

Sandoval expressed that his costars criticized him excessively for his mistakes, going "so f–king far." He felt that they should stop targeting Schwartz for simply being his friend, emphasizing that he is a real person, not a fictional character like Negan from The Walking Dead. He wanted to move on from the negativity.

In response to this, Lisa, who tragically lost her brother to suicide in 2018, asked Scheana Shay and Lala Kent to be more understanding towards Sandoval. Following Lisa's request, the cast, including Scheana, Lala, and James Kennedy, made an effort to engage more with Sandoval on screen.

Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules is on Bravo every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. You can also watch it on Peacock the next day.

If you or someone you know is having a tough time or going through a crisis, there is help out there. Reach out by calling or texting 988, or chat online at 988lifeline.org.

With reporting by Christina Garibaldi

Editor's P/S:

The upcoming reunion of Vanderpump Rules promises to be an emotional rollercoaster, hinting at potential reconciliation and forgiveness among the cast members. Lisa Vanderpump, as a motherly figure to the group, has expressed her support for Ariana Madix while emphasizing the importance of addressing Sandoval's actions and promoting mutual understanding. Sandoval's candid revelation of his suicidal thoughts underscores the profound impact of the scandal on his mental well-being.

Lisa's call for compassion and her cast's subsequent efforts to engage with Sandoval demonstrate a shift towards empathy and healing. It remains to be seen whether the reunion will provide a platform for resolution or further fuel the drama. However, the discussion of mental health challenges highlights the importance of addressing such issues with sensitivity and support, reminding viewers that seeking help is crucial during difficult times.