Lala Kent on Vanderpump Rules Season 12 and Southern Charm

Editor

Aug 11, 2025

Lala Kent reacts to Vanderpump Rules Season 12’s new cast and teases joining Southern Charm. Get the scoop on BravoCon 2024 and more! Read now!

Introduction

Lala Kent, a Vanderpump Rules staple since 2015, is navigating big changes. Bravo announced on November 26, 2024, that Season 12 will feature a new cast of SUR servers, leaving Kent, Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval, and others out. Kent shared her mixed feelings on Instagram, calling the show a life-changer. During a July 29, 2024, Amazon Live stream, she also sparked buzz by saying she’d “do great” on Southern Charm, naming Austen Kroll and Craig Conover as friends. Why does this matter? Reality TV cast shakeups, like Vanderpump Rules’ reboot, shift how fans and journalists view Bravo’s brand. Kent’s openness at BravoCon 2024 and beyond shows her pivot to new opportunities. Let’s break down her reaction, Southern Charm dreams, and what’s next.

Why the Vanderpump Rules Cast Change Happened

Bravo’s decision to reboot Vanderpump Rules for Season 12 with a new cast follows a dramatic Season 11, marked by the “Scandoval” fallout.

Why it matters: The show, Bravo’s highest-rated in 2023 with 8.8 million viewers for Season 10, per Nielsen, lost steam post-scandal. Fans wanted fresh drama, not aging cast conflicts.
How it’s done: Bravo announced a new group of “close-knit SUR-vers” under Lisa Vanderpump, filming in 2025. The OG cast films a goodbye special, per Us Weekly.
Common mistakes: Reboots risk alienating fans if newbies lack chemistry. RHONY’s Season 14 reboot struggled with a 20% ratings drop, per Variety.
Consequences: A flop could hurt Bravo’s reality TV dominance. X posts in November 2024 show fans split—some excited, others loyal to Kent and Madix.

Kent’s Instagram post called it a “bittersweet” end, thanking fans for 12 years.

Lala Kent’s Reaction to the Reboot

Kent’s emotional Instagram post on November 26, 2024, reflected on her journey from a Salt Lake City newcomer to a Bravo star.

Why it matters: Her transparency connects with fans, who drove 1.2 million social media mentions during Season 11, per Sprout Social. Her exit shapes her next career move.
How it’s done: Kent posted throwback photos, saying, “We rocked this b—ch until the wheels fell off.” She admitted disliking change but welcomed this shift.
Common mistakes: Cast members oversharing post-exit can seem desperate. If Kent had trashed Bravo, she’d risk future gigs, like The Valley.
Consequences: Staying gracious keeps her relevant. X posts from August 2025 show fans praising her honesty but worrying she’s “too attached” to the past.

She told Watch What Happens Live she’s barely in touch with castmates, except Tom Schwartz, hinting at new paths.

Kent’s Southern Charm Crossover Dreams

In her July 29, 2024, Amazon Live stream, Kent said Southern Charm feels “real and honest,” making it her top choice for a reality TV crossover.

Why it matters: Crossovers boost viewership—Summer House and Southern Charm crossovers in 2023 spiked ratings by 15%, per The Hollywood Reporter. Kent’s interest signals her adaptability.
How it’s done: Kent named Austen Kroll, Craig Conover, and Madison LeCroy as friends, chatting via DMs. She teased an “interesting” BravoCon 2024 talk with Kroll.
Common mistakes: Hyping crossovers without follow-through disappoints fans. If Kent oversells her Southern Charm ties, it looks like clout-chasing.
Consequences: Failed crossovers could stall her career. X posts in August 2025 joke about her “auditioning” for Southern Charm, showing fan skepticism.

Her Southern Charm comments trended on X, with 5,000 mentions post-stream, per Sprout Social.

The Role of BravoCon 2024 in Kent’s Future

BravoCon 2024, held in November, was a key moment for Kent to address her Vanderpump Rules exit and pitch new projects.

Why it matters: BravoCon drives fan engagement, with 2023’s event generating 10 million social impressions, per NBCUniversal. It’s a platform for stars like Kent to stay relevant.
How it’s done: Kent teased her Southern Charm ties and joined The Valley Season 2 with Scheana Shay and Tom Schwartz, per realityblurb.com.
Common mistakes: Overshadowing new castmates risks backlash. Fans on X in August 2025 criticized her and Shay’s The Valley roles as “unfair” to originals.
Consequences: If Kent doesn’t balance humility and ambition, she could alienate fans. Her BravoCon appearance kept her in the spotlight, but overexposure could hurt.

She avoided discussing Vanderpump Rules drama, focusing on her IUI journey and baby plans, per Parents.

How Scandoval Shaped the Reboot

The 2023 “Scandoval”—Tom Sandoval’s affair with Rachel Leviss—spiked Season 10 ratings but fractured the cast, leading to the reboot.

Why it matters: Scandoval drew 9.8 million viewers for the Season 10 reunion, per Nielsen, but Season 11’s 6.5 million showed fatigue. The cast couldn’t film together post-drama.
How it’s done: Ariana Madix refused to shoot with Sandoval, forcing Bravo to rethink the show’s dynamic. The reboot focuses on new SUR drama, per Newsweek.
Common mistakes: Ignoring cast conflicts can tank group scenes. Season 11’s fractured filming led to a 25% ratings drop, per Variety.
Consequences: Keeping the old cast risked stale content. X posts in July 2025 called Season 11 “unwatchable” due to the divide.

Kent’s Season 11 critique of Madix’s “God” status stirred controversy, per EW.

Kent’s Move to The Valley

Kent, Shay, and Schwartz are joining The Valley Season 2, a Vanderpump Rules spinoff about LA suburban life, set to air in 2025.

Why it matters: Spinoffs extend Bravo stars’ careers. The Valley Season 1 averaged 1.5 million viewers, per Nielsen, showing potential for Kent’s next chapter.
How it’s done: Kent will appear alongside Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright, focusing on her single mom life. Filming began in summer 2024, per realityblurb.com.
Common mistakes: Overshadowing The Valley’s core cast risks fan pushback. X posts in August 2025 called Kent’s role “intrusive” to the show’s vibe.
Consequences: If Kent doesn’t gel with the cast, viewership could dip. Her Parents interview about raising two kids solo adds relatability, boosting her appeal.

Challenges of Reality TV Cast Transitions

Cast reboots like Vanderpump Rules’ are tricky, balancing fan loyalty with fresh content, and Kent’s response shows the emotional toll.

Why it matters: Reboots can revive or kill shows. Southern Hospitality took two seasons to hit 1 million viewers, per Nielsen, showing slow starts are common.
How it’s done: Bravo’s casting new SUR staff aims to recreate the original’s youthful chaos. A retrospective special honors OGs, per BravoTV.
Common mistakes: Ignoring fan attachment risks backlash. RHONY’s reboot lost 300,000 viewers initially, per Variety. Newbies must match Kent’s charisma.
Consequences: A weak Season 12 could end the show. X posts in November 2024 fear the reboot will “flop” without Kent and Madix.

Kent’s graceful exit keeps her fanbase, with 2 million Instagram followers, engaged.

FAQs

Why was the Vanderpump Rules cast replaced?

Bravo rebooted Season 12 for fresh drama after Scandoval’s fallout fractured the cast. Season 11’s 6.5 million viewers, down 25% from Season 10, showed fatigue, per Variety. A new SUR cast aims to recapture the show’s early vibe. Ignoring fan loyalty risks a flop, per X posts.

What did Lala Kent say about the reboot?

Kent shared on Instagram she has “mixed feelings” but welcomes the change, thanking Bravo and fans for 12 years. Her November 26, 2024, post reflected on SUR’s impact. Oversharing could seem desperate, but her grace keeps fans supportive, per Us Weekly.

Will Lala Kent join Southern Charm?

Kent said on July 29, 2024, she’d “do great” on Southern Charm, citing its “real” vibe. She’s friends with Austen Kroll and Craig Conover but lacks Charleston ties. Hyping a crossover without follow-through risks fan distrust, per X buzz in August 2025.

What’s next for Kent after Vanderpump Rules?

Kent joins The Valley Season 2 with Scheana Shay and Tom Schwartz, focusing on her single mom life. Filming began in 2024, per realityblurb.com. Overstepping the core cast could alienate fans, as X posts in August 2025 suggest.

How did Scandoval impact the show?

Tom Sandoval’s 2023 affair with Rachel Leviss boosted Season 10 to 9.8 million viewers but split the cast, per Nielsen. Ariana Madix’s refusal to film with Sandoval tanked Season 11’s group dynamic, leading to the reboot. Continued conflict could’ve killed the show.

Where can I watch Vanderpump Rules?

Past seasons stream on Peacock. The Season 12 premiere date is TBD, with filming starting in 2025. The retrospective special airs before the new season, per BravoTV. Missing it risks spoilers flooding X.

Summary

Lala Kent’s exit from Vanderpump Rules after Season 12’s reboot, announced November 26, 2024, marks the end of a 12-year run. Her Instagram farewell showed gratitude, while her July 2024 Amazon Live stream teased a Southern Charm crossover, citing ties with Austen Kroll. Joining The Valley Season 2 keeps her in Bravo’s orbit, but fan backlash on X worries she’ll overshadow others. Scandoval’s fallout, with 9.8 million viewers in Season 10, forced the reboot after a fractured Season 11. Kent’s grace and BravoCon 2024 buzz keep her relevant. Will she thrive in The Valley or chase Southern Charm? Share your thoughts below!

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