Controversial Vanderpump Rules star Stassi Schroeder is making her way back to reality television. As part of a development deal with Hulu, Schroeder will lead her own series, Stassi Says, and reunite with former Lisa Vanderpump for Season 2 of Vanderpump Villa (via Deadline). Schroeder joined Bravo’s Vanderpump Rules as an original cast member in 2013, appearing in the series until its eighth season (in 2020), when she was fired, alongside castmate Kristen Doute, for racially insensitive actions. Doute returned to reality television with Bravo’s The Valley earlier this year.
Schroeder co-created Stassi Says alongside former Vanderpump Rules producers Erin Foye and Jenna Rosenfeld. The trio will executive produce the series with Scout Productions. The show’s official logline reads:
“Endlessly relatable, utterly hysterical, and questionably sane, Stassi is the anchor of a fresh ensemble of comedic and chaotic characters who are dealing with identity crises and major life crossroads of their own — and Stassi’s the one who has to keep them all afloat.”
Schroeder will also join the upcoming sophomore season of Vanderpump Villa, which follows the hand-picked crew of Vanderpump’s opulent French villa, Château Rosabelle, as they live and cooperate to satisfy the extravagant wants of their affluent visitors, as a lead cast member. Vanderpump commemorated Schroeder’s addition to the show’s Season 2 cast with a celebratory joint Instagram reel.
Stassi Schroeder’s Second Act
In 2018, Schroeder and Doute called the police on Black co-worker Faith Stowers, claiming she was a woman wanted for robbery (the incident followed a cheating scandal between Stowers and Vanderpump Rules alum Jax Taylor, who was dating Brittany Cartwright at the time). Stowers brought the incident to light in 2020, during the Black LIves Matter protests, leading to Schroeder and Doute’s June 2020 termination. Schroeder and Doute apologized for their actions, but their apologies were met with some skepticism. Critics felt that the women lacked authenticity and remorse, and the two didn’t understand the seriousness of the impact of their actions.
The September after she was fired by Bravo, Schroeder spoke with journalist Tamron Hall, saying she was taking time to learn from her mistake:
“I’ve spent the last three months working with a teacher and learning so much that I didn’t know. I didn’t understand that just because something wasn’t about race for me, doesn’t mean it’s not about race for the other person,” she said. “I’m bringing my experience as a white privileged woman to this situation, and she’s bringing her experience as a black woman into this situation. Because it’s about race for her, it is about race. That’s something that I’ve realized.”
Related
Fans Petition to Remove Controversial Vanderpump Rules Star from Bravo Shows
According to over 4000 petition signers, one Vanderpump Rules star has had enough screen time.
Before starring in Vanderpump Rules, Schroeder appeared in Season 8 of The Amazing Race and the show Queen Bees. But it was the Emmy-nominated Vanderpump Rules that made her a household name. Schroeder, whose “I’m not really sure what I did to you, but I’ll take a Pinot Grigio” line is among the most quotable in reality television history, quickly became a favorite for her memorable (albeit often mean) comments to castmates. While appearing on Vanderpump Rules, Schroeder released her first book, Next Level Basic: The Definitive Basic Bitch Handbook. Since her 2020 exit from the series, Schroeder has gotten married, had two children, and released a second book, Off With My Head. She is the host of her podcast, Stassi.
So, will Schroeder return to reality television with cheers or jeers? If we’re to judge by social media, the Vanderpump Rules alum will enjoy a triumphant return. One diversity coach and four years off television later, Schroeder is making her return.