Lisa Vanderpump doesn't believe fired Vanderpump Rules stars are racist but actions were 'ignorant'

Lisa Vanderpump has defended Vanderpump Rules castmembers including Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute who were fired last year over a racist incident.

The 60-year-old restaurant mogul appeared on an episode of Dear Media’s The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast on Monday as she reflected on their removals.

She denied that any of her former employees are racist as she said: ‘It wasn’t right what they did at all, but do I think they’re racist a thousand percent? No… I have a lot of diverse people working for me that they [were] very close to over the years.

‘Do I think it was a racist action? No, not at all. I just think it was just awful timing and stupid and ignorant.’

Vanderpump went on to say that she does not listen to every interview that her staffers do but added: ‘You can’t be cavalier just because you’re young and unaware.’

In June of 2020, Bravo announced that two of Vanderpump Rules’ original cast members, Schroeder and Doute, would not being returning to the show.

Their firing came after former co-star Faith Stowers exposed the pair for once ‘reporting her to the police for a crime she’d had nothing to do with.’

Two of Vanderpump Rules’ newer stars, Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni, were also sacked from the series for publishing ‘racist’ tweets in the past.

‘Bravo and Evolution Media confirmed today that Stassi Schroeder, Kristen Doute, Max Boyens and Brett Caprioni will not be returning to Vanderpump Rules,’ read the network’s official statement. 

More recently it was revealed the the series’ most controversial character Jax Taylor, as well as his wife Brittany Cartwright, would be bidding farewell to Vanderpump Rules.

Back in November they took to social media to say that they were departing from the program ahead of its ninth season, as they’re expecting their first child.

‘The last 8 years on Vanderpump Rules have been some of the most challenging, rewarding and fulfilling years of my life,’ Taylor said. ‘We are excited to take this time to focus on our growing family and share with you our new endeavors. Stay tuned, We can’t wait to share what we have planned.’ 

A Bravo spokesperson told Variety at the time that Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright ‘will not be returning to Vanderpump Rules’ amid the outlet’s report Jax had been fired.