Peter Madrigal Reveals Reasons Behind His Absence from 'VPR' Season 11, Money Factors Discussed
Discover why Peter Madrigal was not part of 'Vanderpump Rules' season 11 as he sheds light on the impact of the cast budget on his role
Peter Madrigal Admits It Wasnt His Choice to Not Appear on VPR Season 11 Says Money Played a Role
Peter Madrigal JC Olivera/Getty Images
Peter Madrigal revealed that his absence from season 11 of Vanderpump Rules was due to financial reasons. During an episode of the "Bravo and Blaze" podcast on Friday, March 1, Madrigal stated that he would not be appearing on the show. He explained that the decision was not entirely his own, as he had the option to return for free or not participate at all.
The SUR manager, who has appeared on Vanderpump Rules since season 1, explained that Bravo did not request him to work without pay.
"I have been receiving payment for my appearances on the show since the beginning," Madrigal stated. "But then they approached me and essentially said, 'Do it without compensation.' They didn't explicitly say 'for free,' but they did not allocate any funds for my payment in the budget."
Madrigal decided to leave the current season of the show. He explained, "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."
The discussion about Madrigal's salary arose after executive producer Alex Baskin shared how Tom Sandoval and Rachel “Raquel” Leviss’ season 10 affair impacted negotiations.
"It's been particularly challenging this time around because we usually rely on a set rate card and tenure card from previous seasons. There are a variety of requests coming in from all directions," Baskin explained to the Los Angeles Times in January. "For example, offering a producer credit is not an option as it's not something we can negotiate."
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He mentioned that it would take some time for the cast expectations to settle. He also highlighted the importance of making sure the cast is aware of the challenges faced by shows in the industry today.
In March 2023, it was revealed that Sandoval, 41, and Ariana Madix had broken up because of his unfaithfulness. The entire cast came together to film a new finale for season 10 and discussed the drama during a three-part reunion. This special event brought in record-breaking ratings for Bravo and Peacock.
Baskin acknowledged the cast's desire for higher salaries in January, stating, "It makes sense that they want a piece of the show's success. Those are difficult discussions to have." He also mentioned that, except for Rachel, who had her own reasons for not returning, everyone else wanted to come back and were satisfied with the improved compensation.
Leviss, 29, did not come back for season 11 of Vanderpump Rules as she had entered a mental health facility. She has mentioned that she believed she deserved a higher paycheck.
On Bethenny Frankel's "ReWives" podcast in August 2023, Leviss shared that she had requested equal pay to Tom and Ariana, as well as reimbursement for her treatment expenses. She stated that her request was denied, which was one of the reasons for her departure. Leviss expressed, "I think how you compensate your employees really reflects how much you appreciate them."
Baskin mentioned that Leviss was offered a "good deal" to rejoin the show. According to Baskin, they talked with her representatives as well as directly with her. Their main concern was her well-being and whether it was the right decision for her to return. She seemed unsure about it. There were discussions about finances, with her team expressing the view that she deserved to be compensated. They even suggested the possibility of her receiving a development deal.
Leviss surprised Bravo fans by taking legal action against Sandoval and Madix. She filed a lawsuit for revenge porn, eavesdropping, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Leviss claimed that Sandoval recorded a private video call without her permission, which Madix later obtained and reportedly shared with others.
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Leviss claimed she couldn't speak out about her experience, even though she didn't name Bravo in the lawsuit.
According to documents obtained by We on February 29, Leviss suffered in silence while Bravo and Evolution saw viewership grow. The rest of the cast gained more recognition and career opportunities. In contrast, Leviss felt humiliated and villainized publicly. As a result, her career prospects were limited, and her reputation was damaged. She now feels like a shell of her former self.
Sandoval and Madix have yet to address the legal drama.
Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules airs on Bravo Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET and will be available to stream on Peacock the next day.
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights the financial struggles faced by cast members of the reality show "Vanderpump Rules." Peter Madrigal's departure from the show due to unpaid appearances raises concerns about the fair compensation of reality TV stars. The executive producer's comments indicate that negotiations have become more complex, with cast members seeking higher salaries and recognition for their contributions to the show's success.
The case of Raquel Leviss further illustrates the tension between cast members' financial expectations and the production company's willingness to meet those demands. Leviss's legal action against her former co-stars and Bravo reflects her frustration with the perceived lack of support and compensation. The situation raises ethical questions about the exploitation of reality TV stars and the need for transparency and fairness in the industry.
