When Bravo announced The Valley, longtime fans of Vanderpump Rules were curious, skeptical, and a little bit excited. The spin-off promised a new chapter for some familiar faces, focusing on post-party life in suburbia, complete with babies, backyard BBQs, and, of course, plenty of Bravo drama. Now, rumors are swirling that OG SURver Scheana Shay may be joining the cast. And that could either be a genius move or a total disaster. Here’s what we think.
Jax Taylor leaving The Valley leaves a void that Scheana Shay could fill
Say what you want about Jax Taylor (and trust us, fans have said plenty), but there’s no denying that he brought the mess. His chaotic energy, unpredictable behavior, and tendency to say the wrong thing at exactly the wrong time made him the unofficial lightning rod of The Valley’s first and second seasons. But now that he’s confirmed he won’t be returning for Season 3, the show needs a new focal point. Someone who can stir the pot while keeping audiences coming back for more. Enter Scheana. The Good as Gold singer has been a Bravo staple for over a decade, and whether you can’t stand her or feel she is a soul sister, she knows how to make good TV. She’s not afraid to get emotional, she’s got history with most of the cast, and she has a loyal fanbase that would follow her anywhere.
With Jax gone, Scheana could step in as the new narrative glue—a veteran reality star who knows how to keep things moving without completely hijacking the show. Plus, the current The Valley cast needs a little help in the dynamic personality department. Scheana may be divisive, but she’s rarely dull.
Some fans of The Valley don’t want Scheana full-time
While some viewers are excited about the idea of Scheana joining The Valley, not everyone is thrilled. A vocal segment of the fanbase feels like the show should stand on its own and not become Vanderpump Rules: The Suburbs. They’re already side-eyeing the fact that the cast features several former SURvers and their spouses, and adding Scheana might push it over the edge.
The biggest concern? That Scheana’s presence could overshadow the rest of the cast. Let’s face it, Scheana has a tendency to make everything about, well, Scheana. Whether she’s singing on top of the bar like it’s Coyote Ugly or talking about her latest podcast guest, she knows how to keep the spotlight on herself. That’s a gift in the world of reality TV, but it can also be a curse if it means other cast members get pushed into the background. And with the series still trying to establish its identity, some fans worry that bringing in a major Vanderpump Rules personality could derail that process. Instead of building something new, the show could start to feel like a recycled version of its predecessor. Just with less tequila and more toddlers. But at least we don’t have to watch Lala Kent.
Scheana hasn’t officially joined The Valley cast just yet
Before anyone starts panic-posting on Reddit or celebrating with a Scheananigans-themed party, it’s important to note that Scheana hasn’t officially joined the cast of The Valley. A source did speak with The U.S. Sun, “She is going to be in a larger role. And the show will explore the aftermath of her affair becoming public and other struggles within her marriage to Brock.” The source added, “Producers feel it will be good to have another Vanderpump Rules bridge after Jax left.” So far, she’s been filming scenes here and there. And appearing at events. While also hanging out with Brittany Cartwright, and generally dipping a toe into the suburban drama pool. But Bravo hasn’t confirmed her as a full-time cast member, yet.
This could mean a few things. Producers might be testing the waters to see how she fits into the group dynamic. Or Scheana herself might be undecided about taking on a second full-time show while still filming Vanderpump Rules (though we doubt that is the case.) It’s also possible that she’ll be featured in a “friend of” role. A Bravo gray area that allows a cast member to stir drama without dominating the storyline. Either way, her presence is already being felt. And if she does go full-time, it could usher in a new era for The Valley. For better or worse.
The Valley is available to stream on Peacock and Hayu in the UK and Ireland.
TELL US – WOULD YOU WANT TO SEE SCHEANA ON THE VALLEY FULL TIME?
