Ouch! Brittany Cartwright just dropped a bombshell about Lisa Vanderpump, and it's a cold dose of reality: "She likes who is bringing her money... and that's not currently me." That's a pretty blunt assessment of their relationship, or lack thereof, and it all unfolded at BravoCon. But what exactly led to this icy dynamic between the former employee and her boss?
Let's rewind. Brittany Cartwright became a familiar face on Vanderpump Rules back in Season 5, working as a waitress at Lisa Vanderpump's SUR restaurant. She remained a key cast member until Season 8 when she and then-husband Jax Taylor decided to leave the show. While Vanderpump Rules continued for three more seasons, Bravo recently announced a major shake-up: Season 12 will feature a brand-new cast. With Lisa Vanderpump hosting an exclusive early screening of the Season 12 premiere at BravoCon, the burning question was: would Brittany be there? The answer, it seems, is a resounding no.
"I mean, I wish them nothing but the best, but Lisa has not invited me to anything," Brittany revealed to Decider in the press room. "She hasn’t checked on me since my divorce, since my son’s autism diagnosis, since anything. So I haven’t heard from her in ages." And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about a reality TV show. Brittany is talking about significant life events – a divorce and a child's autism diagnosis. You'd think a former boss, someone she considered a friend, would at least reach out, right?
Brittany, who now stars in the Vanderpump Rules spin-off, The Valley, filed for divorce from Jax Taylor in 2024. Earlier this year, she also bravely shared the news that their four-year-old son, Cruz, had been diagnosed with autism. Both events were widely publicized. But, according to Brittany, Lisa Vanderpump remained silent.
"I have no bad feelings. She likes who is bringing her money at the time. And that’s not currently me," Brittany stated candidly. "I don’t know, I just figured whenever me and Jax got divorced, I would at least hear something from her, so that’s kind of upsetting." But here's where it gets controversial... Is Brittany's assessment fair? Is it purely about the "money" aspect, or could there be other factors at play that we're not seeing? It's a question that's sure to spark debate among fans.
Despite the apparent cold shoulder, Brittany insists she still holds Lisa Vanderpump in high regard. "I’ve always looked up to her, thought she was an amazing person, loved everything we did, and really worked with her and her charity, and really tried to help," she explained. "But I haven’t heard anything from her in four years. Cruz is four years old. She’s never once [reached out]." That's a pretty long time to go without contact, especially considering the circumstances.
This whole situation raises some interesting questions about fame, friendship, and the realities of reality TV. Is it possible to maintain genuine connections when everything is filtered through the lens of ratings and revenue? And this is a point most people will agree with, or strongly disagree with! So, what do you think? Is Lisa Vanderpump obligated to reach out to former employees, even after they've left the show? Is Brittany being overly sensitive, or is her disappointment justified? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
