The hit Bravo reality series Vanderpump Rules is currently airing its eighth season. Jax's out-of-control petty antics and Brittany's insufferable weeping over her intolerable homophobic pastor leave the cast feeling as though the Kentucky Castle Wedding of 2019 is to be the only topic of conversation the betrothed will allow!
After (spoilers!) Jax decides to replace Tom Sandoval with Randall Emmett (Lala's fiance) in his line of groomsmen, Sandoval's crushed: "I've been friends with Jax for almost 20 years, and Jax has known Randall for, like, five minutes so... it hurts." Fans could feel Sandoval's pain, it's heartbreaking to watch these two sever ties over something so minuscule. In the spirit of Randall's sudden appearance, here's a list of ten Vanderpump Rules side characters that deserve more screen time.
Guillermo Zapata
As the co-owner of SUR, Guillermo enjoys the increased foot traffic Vanderpump Rules has brought to the restaurant but also loves the positive attention he's received, being a former actor! The Argentinian emigrated to the United States at 22 years old, starting as a dishwasher with the occasional modeling gig. During an interview with Quintessential Gentlemen, Guillermo speaks to his success: "I tried to always be this positive guy around with a big smile, and willing to work. It will open doors even if you don’t speak the language. But when you speak the language of good energy, you can be successful around people and that’s mostly what I’ve done."
Guillermo is very proud of his restaurant, and happily signs autographs and takes photos with fans. He's often spotted at the different events SUR hosts for Vanderpump Rules fans, à la "See You Next Tuesday," AKA James Kennedy's old DJing gig (that he's been fired from three times). The restauranteur even dances on stage sometimes alongside the SUR bartenders!
Nikolai Schroeder
During his first appearance in season two, Stassi's younger brother Nikolai Schroeder was only eleven years old, and "became the show's unofficial voice of reason" after giving Jax advice about how to handle his sister. He instantly became a fan favorite for being so wise beyond his years and even ed Andy Cohen, Lisa Vanderpump, and the other Vanderpump Rules cast during the reunion show.
Nikolai appeared most recently this season while he visited Stassi's apartment with their mom, Dayna Schroeder, but the little brother of the popular blonde podcaster has only been featured a couple of times throughout the show's history.
Logan Noh
Logan Noh was introduced in season six as James' new "best mate", and the two seemed inseparable. It seems everyone around this pair had their suspicions on whether or not James and Logan were just friends. Logan has outed himself as a gay man, and rumors of James being bisexual have circulated for quite some time-- plus their "bromance" was very touchy-feely and over-the-top.
Logan was never a fan of Raquel Leviss, James' beauty queen girlfriend, and tensions rose when he allegedly told Brittany's sister that he and James have hooked up! In what seemed like a staged phone call for the cameras, Logan coldly its that he made the story up, and James is vindicated from any misgivings of his sexual identity. Back in 2018, Logan made an Instagram post revealing James broke his nose amidst the rumors of their gay affair, ending their friendship.
Vail Bloom
Vail Bloom became a semi-regular cast member during the show's third season as another object of Jax Taylor's affection. Unlike some of his other choices, Vail graduated from Princeton University with a Bachelor's degree in architecture, placed third in Maxim's infamous "Hometown Hotties" contest, and was even nominated for a Daytime Emmy for her longstanding role on The Young and the Restless!
Vail came off as the down to earth cool chick that didn't quite fit in with the other catty women. Above all of the petty drama, Vail was quickly ousted from the main group, and never returned to Vanderpump Rules after season 3 ended! She gave birth to a daughter named Charlie Olivia Grace in 2018.
Randall Emmett
Lala Kent's infamous "man" is finally revealed on camera, and he's actually quite charming! Randall seems to have a great relationship with Lala, and the group loves him, especially Old Man Jax since they're the closest in age. He's always using a private jet (known as the"PJ" by Lala) which guarantees some great footage for the show, and Lala having a partner around balances the group well.
Randall and Lala were involved with a scandal surrounding 50 Cent last year, but Bravo couldn't mention the feud due to legal issues.
Giggy Vanderpump
Need we say more? This "sex monster" has been featured since the very beginning, though his old age has kept him more behind the scenes than ever. Fans even speculate there's a replacement Giggy, implying the adorable fluffball has ed away.
Hopefully, that is not the case and Giggy will be back in full force sometime soon!
Rachael O'Brien
Rachael O'Brien was first introduced on Vanderpump Rules in season three as Kristen Doute's cheerleader-- or, champion-- since Rachael isn't exactly the cheerleader type. Kristen was on the outs with the group after she slept with Jax, and Rachael swooped in to be a shoulder to cry on as Kristen finally underwent therapy and began to change herself. Rachael actually dated Jax before any of the Pumpers, and introduced the group to Kristen!
She's been featured throughout the last several seasons, but never wanted to become a full-time cast member. On her popular podcast Be Here For A While, Rachael explains that being a stand-up comedian has always been more important to her than appearing on the show. Rachael recently went on comedian Ryan Sickler's podcast The HoneyDew and told a horrific story about an assistant to a Vanderpump Rules cast member who convinced her friends and family to have an intervention and send her to rehab- even though she's sober and not depressed!
Peter Madrigal
Peter Madrigal is the fun-loving SUR manager that's been there since the very beginning but never ed on as a full-time cast member. Peter is featured in many episodes since he is very tight with the friend group, and almost always s along on their infamous trips. During an interview on the Buttered Pop podcast, Peter its: "Jax is the number one guy. I’ll give that to Jax. I’ll take number four. I’m not that prideful. I don’t have that much of an ego."
Peter's sideline position might make him the most likable cast member to date, and he seems to enjoy staying out of the main limelight. This Vanderpump Rules side character dated cast member Stassi Schroeder, and had a fling with their co-star Katie Maloney! Peter spilled the tea (or should we say--coffee?) about his relationship with Stassi during his interview on Buttered Pop, sharing: “She threw hot coffee at me at one time.” Yikes! Peter also frequently responds to fans on the platform Reddit.
Hanky & Panky
Lisa Vanderpump's pair of swans, Hanky and Panky add the perfect finishing touch to Villa Rosa! They've been featured several times on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, but Hanky and Panky need more appearances on Vanderpump Rules.
There's a classic scene where Lisa brings one of them into SUR after a visit to the vet-- something about LVP carrying a swan on Melrose seems right on schedule!
Laura-Leigh Claire
Laura-Leigh was the unsung hero of season one. She made waves through the community of fans, who still ask questions about the actress who boinked Jax in the SUR bathroom! Though she was only featured on a handful of Vanderpump Rules episodes, Laura-Leigh and all of her dramatic antics would be welcomed back in a heartbeat!
The recovering actress told Lisa Vanderpump she was leaving her job at SUR after landing a role in the Jennifer Aniston comedy We're The Millers (2012) and became a regular on Jennifer Love Hewitt's TV series The Client List. Laura-Leigh also appeared alongside Zosia Mamet (Girls) and Riley Keough (Mad Max: Fury Road) in the neo-noir crime thriller Under the Silver Lake (2019).