“I don’t want to be the boss” Vanderpump Villa’s Lisa Vanderpump comments on Stassi Schroeder’s return to the show after racism scandal 

Reality TV matriarch Lisa Vanderpump is welcoming a familiar face back to her empire as Stassi Schroeder makes her return to television on Vanderpump Rules Season 2.

"I love having somebody to play with," Vanderpump, 64, told Us Weekly in an exclusive cover story.

Declaring:

"I don't want to be the boss all the time."

This reunion marks Schroeder's first television appearance since her controversial firing from Vanderpump Rules in 2020, when she and former costar Kristen Doute were dismissed for reporting Black costar Faith Stowers to police for a crime she didn't commit. The new Hulu series, premiering April 24, features Vanderpump's staff running an Italian castle for VIP guests.

Schroeder won't be rejoining as staff but instead appearing as one of those special visitors, bringing with her the sharp wit and unfiltered commentary that made her a standout personality during her eight seasons on Vanderpump Rules. The comeback represents a significant shift in their dynamic, transitioning from boss-employee to something closer to friendship.

The evolution of Lisa Vanderpump and Stassi Schroeder’s relationship

The transformation in Lisa Vanderpump and Schroeder's relationship is at the center of this television reunion. Their connection dates back to 2010 when Schroeder began serving at SUR, Vanderpump's West Hollywood restaurant featured prominently on Vanderpump Rules.

"It's fun to have somebody to banter with," Vanderpump explained about Schroeder's upcoming appearance.

Adding:

"I can't be as casual with my staff as I would be with a friend, so to speak."

This shift from employer-employee to more equal footing appears to have strengthened their bond. During a September 2024 appearance on New York Live, Schroeder herself acknowledged this evolution:

"I mean, she's no longer my boss. And we've always had this relationship where, up and down, up and down, but like, mother-figurey at the same time. But now that I'm older and I have two kids, we have a different relationship now. I think it's really nice."

The preview of Schroeder’s return came in a playful Instagram reel Lisa Vanderpump posted in August 2024, showing the two bantering over menu items and sharing a toast to mark her comeback. Since being fired from the show four years ago, Schroeder’s life has changed dramatically — she got married to Beau Clark and became a mother of two.

Lisa Vanderpump believes that while Schroeder’s signature boldness is still intact, motherhood and marriage have added a growing sense of responsibility to her personality.

Their connection has also grown beyond reality TV. Lisa Vanderpump shared that she stays in touch with Schroeder and that their families have become close, including playdates between Vanderpump’s grandchild and Schroeder’s daughter. Their on-screen reunion, then, isn’t just a return to form — it’s a reflection of a deeper, more personal bond that’s developed over time.

Addressing the controversy

Lisa Vanderpump has been open about her feelings regarding Schroeder's 2020 dismissal from Vanderpump Rules. The restaurateur revealed she wasn't consulted about the decision to terminate Schroeder's employment.

"I understood why [she was let go], but I would've rather kept her, chastised her and let her learn from it," Vanderpump admitted.

Elaborating:

"It was a difficult position for me. I wasn't consulted. Everything was in such disarray."

Schroeder reportedly references her firing during her Vanderpump Rules appearance, confessing she never wanted to leave the original show. The moment seems to offer a path to redemption for the controversial personality.

"It was very poignant, because it was a sign of the times and her actions. The world is changing," Vanderpump reflected.

Explaining:

"I hate this cancellation policy — people are expected to be exemplary and not make mistakes. We all make mistakes. She did something totally inappropriate and learned from it."

This perspective has drawn both support and criticism, with some viewers appreciating the second chance while others question whether sufficient accountability has been demonstrated for actions many considered deeply harmful.

Schroeder's return to television raises questions about the permanence of "cancellation" in the current media landscape. Instead of going back to Bravo, her return to the screen via a Vanderpump-led show forges a different route without overturning her previous employer's choice.

Celebrities like Chrissy Teigen enthusiastically supported the reveal on social media, leaving comments like "YESSSSS!!!!" on the Instagram post.

According to Lisa Vanderpump, who called her own reality TV adventure "an incredible journey" that spanned "hundreds of episodes," this most recent chapter enables her to resurrect a beloved character while establishing herself as a person who values development and second chances.

It's unclear if Schroeder will land additional significant jobs as a result of this appearance, but it does show that her path to reality TV was not entirely blocked. As Vanderpump Rules enters its second season, viewers will have the opportunity to witness this evolved relationship and judge for themselves whether time and life changes have created meaningful growth following one of reality television's most notable controversies.

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You can watch Vanderpump Rules Season 11 every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Bravo, with episodes available to stream the next day on Peacock.

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