Why Vanderpump Rules Fans Should Watch Southern Hospitality

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Back in November 2024, we witnessed the end of an era when Bravo announced a complete Vanderpump Rules recast. As fans mourn OG VPR, we’ll have to wait to find out how the new cast fares. Peter Madrigal promises they’ll bring the chaotic drama. But there is a show airing on Bravo right now that is the closest thing to Vanderpump Rules’ glory days. And that show is Southern Hospitality.

Currently on Season 3, Southern Hospitality is a spin-off of Southern Charm. Leva Bonaparte takes on the Lisa Vanderpump role. And the show follows the staff of her King Street bar and restaurant Republic. Leva suggested her show could replace VPR, and she has a point. Vanderpump Rules fans should absolutely be watching Southern Hospitality, and here’s why.

Southern Hospitality’s chaotic cast recalls Vanderpump Rules’ glory days

The Republic staff is full of young people with huge personalities who aren’t afraid to get messy. Take Joe Bradley, for one example. Last year, he came under fire for hooking up with Luann de Lesseps while he was still dating Danielle Olivera. This year, he’s dating co-star Maddi Reese, and winds up marrying her in Las Vegas.

Like many VPR stars, Maddi has dreams of making it in the music industry. She’s collaborating with her pal Grace Lilly, who used to work at Republic. Grace already had a single, called Wavy Baby. Also, she took ayahuasca and claimed to see Jesus and say hi to Bob Marley, her idol. These two might just give us the next Good as Gold.

If you miss the relationship drama and cheating rumors of VPR, Southern Hospitality has that in spades. Mostly with Emmy Sharrett and Will Kulp, who sometimes recall Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright. By the second episode of Season 3, Emmy already gave us an all-time meltdown. Thanks to the premiere’s flash forward, we already know there will be a major confrontation over cheating rumors to come. At this rate, things might reach the level of chaos we got from Vanderpump Rules Season 2!

Southern Hospitality brings the workplace drama of Vanderpump Rules’ early seasons

There was a notable shift during Vanderpump Rules’ run. In the early days, the cast genuinely worked at SUR, chasing their dreams while fighting over tips and living in cramped apartments. A few years in, they still claimed to work at SUR, but it was increasingly obvious that was all for show. After all, by Season 8, the cast bought million-dollar houses.

By contrast, workplace drama is still a fundamental part of Southern Hospitality. For instance, it was the cause of Emmy’s meltdown. Emmy was accused of using store credit to buy the other girls new workplace dresses. She charged the girls full price, but some of them wondered if she ripped them off. Emmy maintained that she only used store credit on herself, but the attempts to defend herself went very poorly. Then things got worse when Emmy was also accused of flirting with NBA players who visited Republic.

Focusing on the workplace environment also makes it easier to weave in new cast members organically. Because VPR had such a close-knit group, that was more difficult to do. Take Season 8, which introduced four new SURvers, only to let them all go after one season. This kept the core VPR cast small. But that caused trouble down the line when they were no longer an organic friend group.

On Southern Hospitality Season 3, however, new AGM Michols Pẽna seamlessly became a main cast member. New bartenders and VIP servers have also fit into the group without it feeling forced.

Southern Hospitality has the diversity Vanderpump Rules never did

As much as we love VPR, it had some serious flaws. Including the stark lack of diversity in its cast. This was a problem from the very jump. In the flow chart used to pitch the show, SURver Tina McDowelle was included alongside the OG cast. The chart highlighted her flirty friendship with Tom Sandoval, despite his relationship with Kristen Doute. However, we never saw this play out in the early seasons. Instead, Tina was edited to be a background character.

Then there’s Faith Stowers. Faith was the catalyst for Season 6’s cheating scandal. But she never got the chance to share her side of the story. She was also targeted by the cast. Kristen and Stassi Schroeder called the police on her. Faith is currently suing for racial misconduct.

Despite featuring Pride celebrations every year, VPR didn’t have great LGBTQ+ representation either. One infuriating moment saw Ariana Madix outed as bisexual by then-boyfriend Sandoval. The show’s first transgender cast member Billie Lee also faced hurdles. For instance, when she called out cis privilege, the cast reacted very poorly.

By contrast, this season of Southern Hospitality featured a vulnerable conversation between Michols and TJ Dinch about race and sexuality in the Charleston dating scene. It was the type of powerful moment we’d never see on VPR. Overall, Southern Hospitality adds diversity in an organic way. And the show is better for it.

Southern Hospitality is streaming on Peacock.

TELL US – DO YOU AGREE THAT SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY IS THE NEW VANDERPUMP RULES? WHY OR WHY NOT? IF YOU’RE A VPR FAN, WILL YOU GIVE SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY A SHOT?

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