‘Vanderpump Rules’: Fans Slam Lisa Vanderpump for Not Firing Cast Members Over Racist Tweets
Lisa Vanderpump is one of the executive producers of Vanderpump Rules, the Bravo reality show spun off from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The series follows a group of servers employed by Vanderpump’s growing empire of restaurants in West Hollywood. All of Vanderpump’s establishments have been thriving thanks to the extensive promotion on the shows but she has recently come under fire due to her employees.
Vanderpump was recently slapped with a class-action lawsuit by employees claiming they were not compensated for all their hours worked. However, what’s causing the animal activist pains right now are two new cast members of Vanderpump Rules with past racist tweets.
Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni were exposed by Internet sleuths that went to both of their Twitter histories. What they uncovered was a series of tweets where they freely used the n-word.
“It upsets me that the word n—a is not allowed to be said unless you are black because quite honestly it’s my favorite word,” Boyens wrote in one of the tweets.
Lisa Vanderpump finally reacts
Following the uproar on social media demanding their firing, Vanderpump released a statement about the issue.
“I do not condone any of the heinous comments made in the past by Max and Brett and I am glad they understand the severity of their offenses and have shown utmost remorse and contrition,” Vanderpump told People. “I embrace a community of diversity and do not tolerate bigotry of any form within my workplace. Max and Brett are both appropriately ashamed of their past obnoxious teenage arrogance and casual use of unacceptable terms. While both have now matured as adults, they have shown remorse for their prior reckless defamatory statements.”
Vanderpump feels that the boys apologizing for their past was enough and feels they both have grown from the situation.
“I do sincerely believe both have learned the power and impact words can have, and I have every hope this will be a lifelong lesson for them as we move into this new decade,” Vanderpump added.
Fans are not ok with Lisa Vanderpump’s response
Nowhere in Vanderpump’s statement did she say Bravo was going to take any action against the newcomers. Fans feel that as an executive producer she could’ve come out stronger in her response. Following Vanderpump’s statement, viewers were quick to blast the restauranteur.
“Of course, Lisa Vanderpump gave the worst response when confronted that she likes to employ absolute degenerates,” a fan wrote. “She likes to wave her inclusivity flag around but notice the lack of diversity in her restaurants and show.”
“Cast lack diversity and have been problematic for years,” another fan added. “The transphobia, homophobia, and racism [have] made me skip this season. They need to do better.”
“So she fires James [Kennedy] for calling Katie fat but she can excuse that behavior?” a viewer questioned.
“Lisa Vanderpump, of course, they understand the severity,” another viewer commented. “Come on, they are only worried about their spot on the show. Do better. Hire people that deserve it and there are many 20-year-olds that would never tweet such racist thoughts.”
“Doesn’t look like anyone is getting fired. LVP seems to think because it’s in the past. Disappointed. Do better,” a Twitter user mentioned.
“Come on Lisa. I was a dumb teenager once but I never thought [of] using those words or hating on other people. They are only sorry because they got exposed,” another Twitter user shared.
As of now, Bravo has not released an official statement regarding the controversy or how they will manage the scandal.
