Scheana Shay Reveals ‘VPR’ Pay Cut Scandal That Producers Kept Quiet
By Chukwudi Onyewuchi on July 22, 2025 at 9:45 AM EDT
Scheana Shay is lifting the curtain on a career chapter she once kept private.
The “Vanderpump Rules” star recently opened up about her shocking two‑season demotion on the hit Bravo series.
Recall that Shay was a regular face in seasons 8 and 10 of the show, which aired in 2020 and 2023, respectively.
However, the 40-year-old has revealed that producers demoted her from full main cast status in those seasons and slashed her pay.
Scheana Shay Opens Up About A Shocking Secret Involving Her And ‘VPR’ Producers
Shay may have appeared as a main character in seasons 8 and 10 of “VPR,” but according to new revelations, she wasn’t paid the same.
Speaking exclusively in an interview with Us Weekly, the star shed light on the behind-the-scenes issue that the producers had kept quiet about.
“They said, ‘The audience is never going to know. You’re still going to be in every episode, you’re still going to be in opening credits. You’re still a main character, you’re not anyone’s ’friend’ of,’” she told the outlet.
Shay praised herself for showing up and even giving producers and fans “a wedding” in season 10, despite the demotion.
“My story from watching the show every episode, you would never know that I wasn’t being paid the same,” Shay explained. “It was the same expectations, less pay.”
Shay Expresses Gratitude For The Demotion
Regardless of what happened, Scheana Shay revealed that she was grateful for the pay cut, especially for season 8, as it prompted her to explore other opportunities.
“It forced me to start my YouTube channel, to be more open on my podcast, to put some more notes in my tab of things I want to talk about in a book one day,” she stated.
The TV personality noted that if her pay remained the same, she might not have been motivated to think outside the box.
Three years later, Shay found herself in the same situation again, and unlike before, she revealed that the demotion felt like a “kick in the -ss,” and she couldn’t remain silent about it.
Scheana Shay Says She Convinced Production To Change Their Decision
Following Scandoval, Shay said she contacted the production team to discuss returning her to her normal salary in season 11, which aired in 2024.
“I was like, ‘Are you guys going to put me back on my normal salary season 11, seeing how imperative I am?’ And they did, and I feel like I am valued, finally,” she said.
The actress added that she felt she knew her worth and believed the network recognized it as well. According to her, the producers understood the significance she held for everyone’s story.
Shay explained that being everyone’s friend was fine and did not mean she was disloyal; it simply showed she had many friends and valued different perspectives.
The television personality also shared that she had help from reality TV star Tom Sandoval convincing the producers.
“Tom Sandoval was actually the only person who called [Alex] Baskin and everyone in charge and was like, ‘This isn’t fair. We’ve got to fight for Scheana,’” she admitted. “And it was everyone [saying], ‘It’s not my call, it’s not my call, it’s not my call.’ I’m like, ‘Well, whose call is it?’”
Shay Spills The Tea On An Unforgettable Preplanned Season 9 Scene
Elsewhere during the chat, Scheana Shay revealed a surprising behind‑the‑scenes detail about the show’s season 9 finale.
At the time, viewers and co-stars criticized her and now‑husband Brock Davies for seemingly trying to overshadow James Kennedy and Rachel “Raquel” Leviss’ engagement celebration.
Shay admitted that part of the episode had been preplanned without production’s knowledge.
She explained that she and Lala Kent didn’t want to have a genuine fight but still needed to deliver drama for the cameras.
According to Shay, they even pulled Ariana Madix and Katie Maloney aside to agree on staging a fake argument to keep the storyline moving while protecting friendships off‑screen.
Scheana Shay Reveals Katie Maloney Couldn’t Play Her Part
Shay went on to explain that Maloney had initially agreed to be the one to bring up the preplanned drama on camera.
“We fight every season over something,” the Bravo host recalled, but shared that Maloney “wasn’t able to play her part” after spending time at the open bar.
According to Shay, that’s when Kent stepped in.
“Lala did her job and she went and told them,” Shay revealed, noting that that moment led to Madix’s now‑iconic line, “Babe, I was born cool.”
Shay admitted that production had no idea the scene was staged until now. She emphasized to fans that it was a one‑time move, born out of desperation to keep the show interesting and secure another season.
