If you spent any time watching Vanderpump Rules during its mid-series peak, you know the name. Patrick Meagher. For years, he was the "phantom boyfriend" of Stassi Schroeder. He was the guy she moved to New York for, the guy who refused to be on camera, and eventually, the guy who made a debut so cringeworthy it’s still talked about in Bravo circles nearly a decade later.
Honestly, it’s hard to believe it’s been that long. In the world of reality TV, four years is a lifetime. But that's exactly how long Stassi and Patrick stayed in their high-stakes, on-again-off-again cycle. To the fans, he was a mystery. To Stassi, at the time, he was "the one." Looking back now? He’s mostly remembered as the guy who talked about Lisa Vanderpump’s backside to her face. Yikes.
Why Patrick Meagher Still Matters in the VPR Universe
You’ve probably seen the TikTok clips. Stassi is standing there, looking genuinely nervous, while a man in a man-bun uses words like "myopic" and "galvanize." It felt like watching a student try to impress a professor who didn't care. That’s the Patrick Meagher experience in a nutshell.
But why do people still search for him?
Basically, he represents a specific era of Stassi’s life. Before she was a "New York Times" bestselling author or a mother of two, she was a woman completely under the spell of a guy who seemingly enjoyed making her feel "less than." It’s a relatable, if painful, arc. Many viewers saw their own "toxic ex" in Patrick’s condescending tone.
The Breakup That Everyone Saw Coming (Except Stassi)
The end wasn't just a quiet "we're moving in different directions." It was a full-blown catastrophe. In August 2017, Stassi took to Twitter—as one does when their life is imploding—to announce she had been dumped. The kicker? It was their four-year anniversary. Even worse? She had planned and paid for a romantic trip to Mexico.
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Imagine that. You’ve got the bags packed, the sunblock bought, and the "happy anniversary" post ready to go. Then, the person you’ve spent four years with decides today is the day.
Stassi ended up taking her friend Rachel O’Brien on the trip instead. She famously compared herself to Carrie Bradshaw in the first Sex and the City movie—the jilted bride at the altar. It was dramatic. It was public. And for Patrick, it was the final exit from the Bravo spotlight.
The Reality of the "Radio Host" Persona
Patrick wasn't just some random guy. He had a legitimate career in sports radio. He hosted The Rap on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio and later The Lombardi Line. He was used to being the smartest voice in the room—or at least the loudest.
When he finally appeared on Vanderpump Rules in Season 6, the facade crumbled.
- The Vocabulary Flex: He often used complex words in casual conversation. Fans quickly pointed out he didn't always use them correctly.
- The LVP Incident: Meeting Lisa Vanderpump is a rite of passage for any VPR boyfriend. Patrick decided to comment on her "ass" repeatedly. It wasn't charming; it was harassment masquerading as "honesty."
- The Power Dynamic: He once told Stassi he blocked her on everything so she wouldn't "bother" him while he was in Amsterdam.
That last point is what really sticks in people's craw. Blocking your significant other so you can enjoy a vacation in peace? That’s not a boundary; that’s a red flag the size of a billboard.
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What Really Happened With Patrick Meagher After the Split?
After the Season 6 finale aired and the backlash hit, Patrick basically vanished from the "celebs" world. He never had a public Instagram. He didn't do the "I'm sorry" tour on podcasts. He just... went back to radio.
Some sources, including reports from Page Six at the time, suggested he may have stayed in the relationship partly for the publicity boost it gave his radio career. Whether that’s true or just bitter gossip, the result was the same: he became one of the most disliked figures in the show’s history.
Stassi, on her part, hasn't held back in the years since. On her podcast, Straight Up with Stassi, she admitted to "walking on eggshells" during that relationship. She realized she was a "shell of herself." It’s a common sentiment among those who have dated someone who uses intellect as a weapon.
Where is He Now? (The 2026 Update)
As of early 2026, Patrick Meagher remains largely off the grid in terms of pop culture. He’s still active in the sports betting and broadcasting world, recently seen involved with VSiN (the Sports Betting Network). He’s carved out a niche where people care about point spreads, not who he’s dating.
For the Bravo fans still wondering: no, they don't talk. Stassi has made it clear she has her exes blocked for a reason. She’s now married to Beau Clark, the man fans universally embraced as the "anti-Patrick."
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Lessons from the Patrick Era
If we’re being honest, the Patrick years were a necessary evil for Stassi's growth.
- Validation comes from within: You can't let a partner define your intelligence.
- The "Mirror" of Reality TV: Sometimes you don't see how bad a situation is until you see it played back on a screen.
- Trust the friends: If your entire social circle thinks your boyfriend is a "dickhead" (Lisa Vanderpump’s exact words), they might be onto something.
It’s easy to look back and judge, but relationships are messy. Patrick Meagher wasn't a villain in a movie; he was just a guy who wasn't right for the woman he was with, and he handled the exit poorly.
Actionable Takeaways for Navigating Toxic Dynamics
If you find yourself in a relationship that feels like "walking on eggshells," here are a few things to consider:
- Audit the Communication: Does your partner use language to make you feel inferior? If "big words" are being used to shut down your feelings, that's a tactic, not a conversation.
- Watch the Anniversary Rule: A partner who "forgets" major milestones while you’re doing the heavy lifting usually has one foot out the door.
- Seek Outside Perspective: Talk to friends who aren't afraid to give it to you straight. Stassi's friends saw the truth long before she did.
The Patrick Meagher chapter is closed. Stassi is in a different world now, but for anyone rewatching those old seasons, he remains a cautionary tale about what happens when you settle for "meager" love.
Next Steps for Readers
If you're going through a breakup or feeling stuck in a similar dynamic, check out resources on identifying emotional manipulation. You can also listen to early episodes of Straight Up with Stassi to hear her real-time processing of that era—it’s a masterclass in how hindsight is always 20/20.