The Most Shocking ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Breakups

When we first met the SURvers, bartenders and hosts at Lisa Vanderpump’s successful WeHo hot spot, we knew they would be full of drama. A decade later and the Vanderpump Rules stars’ makeups, breakups and ongoing feuds still don’t disappoint.

Heading into the 10^th season of the series, almost everyone is now single — a big shakeup for a series that boasted several strong relationships last year. When the show debuts, there’s a lot to unpack and plenty of big feelings to address. While we know how some of it plays out thanks to the headlines, we can’t wait to see the details of what happened and who will hook up with who next.

To get into that Season 10 spirit, we’re revisiting 10 of the show’s most shocking breakups from Season 1 to the present day.

Katie Maloney and Tom Schwartz - The most shocking Vanderpump Rules breakups

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1 / 10

Tom and Katie

Tom Schwartz and Katie Maloney went through a lot over nine seasons, including multiple arguments, cheating allegations, tequila Katie, rings on strings, financial infidelity and not one, but two weddings. So when the “Bubbas” announced their split ahead of Season 10, fans were shocked. After all, if this couple can’t make it after everything they’ve gone through, what reality TV couple actually stands a chance?

James Kennedy and Raquel Leviss - The most shocking Vanderpump Rules breakups

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2 / 10

James and Raquel

Raquel Leviss was a grounding and stable influence on James Kennedy while they dated. She even convinced him to sober up. Yet while he clearly loved her (they were engaged, after all), there were times he didn’t treat her the greatest — especially in Season 9. Although it seemed as though Raquel was willing to stick it out and wait for James to change, she eventually gave up. The pair called it quits during the Season 9 reunion, shocking fans everywhere.

Lala Kent and Randall Emmett - The most shocking Vanderpump Rules breakups

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3 / 10

Lala and Randall

For years, Lala Kent only referred to her mysterious boyfriend as “My Man.” That’s because Randall Emmett didn’t want to be a part of the show, and it led to animosity between Lala and her co-stars — not to mention the fans. Eventually Randall joined and for a while things were kosher. Everyone loved him. The pair had their daughter, Ocean. They were engaged and planning their wedding. But then in October 2021, news came the couple had split. Lala spoke about the breakup briefly on the Season 9 finale, leading viewers to believe there was a lot happening behind closed doors that no one knew about.

Mike Shay and Scheana Marie - The most shocking Vanderpump Rules breakups

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4 / 10

Scheana and Mike Shay

When Scheana Marie married Mike Shay in 2014, she was the first cast member to walk down the aisle. Sadly, although the couple seemed very much in love at the time, it wasn’t meant to be. Although Scheana hid it for a long time, she eventually revealed her husband had a substance abuse problem. They divorced two years later, also making Scheana the first cast member to get a divorce.

Jax Taylor and Stassi Schroeder - The most shocking Vanderpump Rules breakups

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5 / 10

Jax and Stassi

Back when Vanderpump began, Jax Taylor and Stassi Schroeder were the couple at the center of all the drama. That’s how we knew they were doomed. In addition to Jax’s constant lying and Stassi’s resulting mind games, the pair were the poster children for miscommunication. Still, when Jax cheated on Stassi in Las Vegas and they broke up as a result, it was a bit of a shock. But the bigger shocker was when they got back together, only to later break up for good after Stassi learned Jax had cheated on her with her BFF Kristen Doute.

Kristen Doute and Tom Sandoval - The most shocking Vanderpump Rules breakups

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6 / 10

Tom and Kristen

Another toxic couple from early Vanderpump days was Tom Sandoval and Kristen Doute. The pair fought all the time and there was little trust between the two. Kristen constantly accused Tom of cheating, and while he was eventually caught texting a bottle service server, the biggest bombshell was the reveal that Kristen and Jax had slept together. Needless to say the relationship didn’t survive.

Kristen Doute and James Kennedy - The most shocking Vanderpump Rules breakups

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7 / 10

Kristen and James

When James Kennedy came onto the Vanderpump scene, the busboy was actually with Kristen. Watching them, though, it was obvious that James was a rebound, and Kristen was far from over Tom. James put up with a lot, but they both drank too much. In the end, when the pair attended Scheana and Mike’s wedding, it all blew up. The memorable parking lot scene in which an overserved James called Kristen “unmanageable” is one of the most explosive moments in the show’s history. Especially since she walked off with her trainer, who was supposedly just a friend.

Scheana Marie and Rob Valletta - The most shocking Vanderpump Rules breakups

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8 / 10

Scheana and Rob

After Scheana went through her breakup with Mike, she turned to her long-time friend, soap star Rob Valletta. Although Scheana appeared a bit obsessed with Rob, touting his handyman skills and grown-up lifestyle, it felt like Scheana was moving a bit too fast with her new beau. Eventually the pair called it quits and decided to just be friends. Later, on an episode of Watch What Happens Live, Rob called in and revealed that he’ll always have Scheana’s back, but her friend group was just too much for him to handle.

Stassi Schroeder and Patrick Meagher - The most shocking Vanderpump Rules breakups

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9 / 10

Stassi and Patrick

After Stassi finally moved on from Jax, she found a solid relationship with Patrick Meagher. He was a lot more emotionally available and mature than the bartender, but the pair still dated for four years. Sure, they were on and off, and some of Stassi’s friends had questions. But when they called it quits for good on their four-year anniversary (leaving Stassi with a pre-paid, romantic getaway to Mexico), even Stassi was shook.

Peter Madrigal - The most shocking Vanderpump Rules breakups

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10 / 10

Peter and Stassi

Okay so this wasn’t one of the most shocking breakups, per se, but when viewers found out SUR manager Peter Madrigal and Stassi had dated before she and Jax hooked up, it was definitely salacious. That relationship came into play later on the show when Stassi began having problems with some of her friends. At the end of the day, Peter always had her back, proving the relationship had meant something to both of them.

Watch the Vanderpump Rules season 10 premiere on February 8 at 9EP on Slice, the Global TV app or STACKTV with Amazon Prime Video Channels, fuboTV, Rogers Ignite TV and Ignite SmartStream.