Lisa Vanderpump doesn't just hire employees; she curates a powder keg. If you’ve spent any time watching the Bravo matriarch over the last decade, you know the drill. She finds people who are young, impossibly attractive, and remarkably prone to making terrible life choices in front of a camera. But with her latest venture, Vanderpump Villa, the stakes shifted. Instead of the gritty, neon-soaked streets of West Hollywood, we’re looking at Chateau Rosabelle in the French countryside. This isn't SUR. It’s fancy. It’s expensive. And honestly, the cast of Vanderpump Villa is a whole different breed of chaos.
They aren't just servers. They're "curated staff" living together in a sprawling estate, meant to provide a five-star luxury experience for high-end guests. But let’s be real. We aren't watching for the impeccable table service. We’re watching because these people cannot stop fighting, flirting, and falling apart.
The Messy Hierarchy: Meet the Cast of Vanderpump Villa
At the top of the food chain, you have the leadership. Lisa brought in professionals—or at least, people who look the part. Eric Funderburk took on the role of Chateau Manager, and right from the jump, he was polarizing. Some viewers saw him as the necessary discipline the house needed, while others (and most of the staff) saw a guy who was maybe a little too obsessed with his own authority. It’s a classic reality trope: the boss who wants to be one of the "cool kids" but ends up being the person everyone gossips about in the kitchen.
Then there’s the kitchen itself. Anthony Bar and Caroline Byl.
If you want to talk about friction, start here. Anthony is the Executive Chef, and Caroline is the Sous Chef. In a normal world, they’d just cook. In the world of the cast of Vanderpump Villa, their professional rivalry felt like a Shakespearean tragedy played out over a plate of coq au vin. Caroline came in with a massive resume and an even bigger personality, and she wasn't exactly thrilled to be taking orders. It’s that specific kind of tension that makes you uncomfortable to watch but impossible to turn off.
The Front of House Drama
The service staff is where the "Villa" feels most like the "Rules" we grew up with. Marciano Brunette is basically the resident lightning rod. He’s a lead server with a history—specifically a history with Hannah Fouch, another server.
They dated for years. They broke up. They’re working together in a foreign country. It’s a recipe for disaster.
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- Marciano has that specific kind of confidence that borders on arrogance, which makes him great for TV and terrible for a peaceful workplace.
- Hannah, meanwhile, is trying to navigate her own professional growth while being tethered to an ex who knows exactly how to push her buttons.
It’s messy. It’s loud. Honestly, it’s exactly why people tune in. You’ve also got people like Telly Cuso and Andre Mitchell. Telly is a firecracker. She doesn't hold back, and her presence in the house ensures that no secret stays a secret for long. Andre, on the other hand, often feels like the voice of reason—or at least, the person trying to stay out of the direct line of fire while still doing his job as a server.
Why This Group Feels Different Than VPR
Vanderpump Rules was about a group of friends who happened to work at a restaurant. This is different. The cast of Vanderpump Villa were mostly strangers before they were dropped into France. That changes the dynamic. There isn't ten years of shared history to fall back on, so the alliances form fast and break even faster.
Take Stephen Alsvig, the event coordinator. He’s the guy who has to make sure the guests actually have a good time while the rest of the staff is screaming at each other in the laundry room. It’s a thankless job. He’s often the one caught in the middle, trying to maintain some semblance of professionalism while the "Vanderpump" of it all threatens to boil over.
And we can’t forget the housekeepers, Grace Cottrell and Priscilla Regli. In the first season, they often felt like the observers of the madness. There’s something inherently funny about watching two people try to fold expensive linens while their coworkers are having a meltdown three feet away.
The Guest Factor
One thing that defines the cast of Vanderpump Villa is their interaction with the elite guests. Unlike SUR, where a rude customer just gets a side-eye, at the Villa, the staff's job is to cater to every whim. We’ve seen everything from high-pressure proposals to demanding birthday parties.
When the staff messes up, it’s not just a bad tip. It’s a direct reflection on Lisa’s brand in a way that feels much more personal. You can see the genuine fear in their eyes when LVP walks into a room after a botched dinner service. She isn't just their boss; she’s the person who can end their "French summer" in a heartbeat.
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Fact-Checking the Season 1 Fallout
There's been a lot of chatter online about who is "real" and who is "acting."
Let's look at the facts. Marciano and Hannah’s relationship wasn't some manufactured plot point for the show; they have a documented history that predates the cameras. The tension between the chefs? That’s a product of high-pressure culinary environments where egos are as big as the budget.
What’s interesting about the cast of Vanderpump Villa is how they’ve handled the post-show spotlight. Some have leaned into the influencer lifestyle, while others seem to have retreated back to actual hospitality work. It’s the classic reality TV divide. You either want to be the next Stassi Schroeder, or you just wanted a cool experience in France.
The Casting Process: How Do You Get on a Lisa Vanderpump Show?
It’s no secret that the casting for this show was intense. They weren't just looking for people who could carry a tray. They needed "personalities."
Reports from production insiders suggest that the interview process involved multiple rounds of personality testing and "chemistry reads." They needed to know how Marciano would react to Telly, or how Eric would handle a mutiny. It’s a social experiment disguised as a workplace docuseries.
The cast of Vanderpump Villa was chosen to be a powder keg. If everyone got along, there would be no show. Lisa knows this better than anyone. She’s a master of casting people who are just vulnerable enough to be relatable but just volatile enough to be entertaining.
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Is the Cast Returning for Season 2?
This is the big question. With reality shows like this, the "cast turnover" is usually high. Lisa likes fresh blood. However, certain members of the cast of Vanderpump Villa have become fan favorites—or fan "villains"—that are hard to replace.
- Marciano is a polarizing figure, but polarizing figures drive ratings.
- Hannah has a redemption arc that many want to see play out.
- Telly provides the kind of unfiltered commentary that every show needs.
If Season 2 follows the traditional Vanderpump trajectory, we’ll see a mix of returning faces and new "trainees" brought in to shake up the established hierarchy. It’s the "Below Deck" model applied to a land-based estate.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans of the Show
If you're following the cast of Vanderpump Villa and want to keep up with the real-life drama that happens when the cameras aren't rolling, there are a few things you should do.
First, check their social media, but take it with a grain of salt. These performers are often under strict NDAs even months after a season airs. Second, pay attention to who Lisa mentions in her own interviews. She’s very savvy about who she wants to promote.
If you’re interested in the actual hospitality side of things—because believe it or not, some people actually watch for the "Villa" part—look into the real-world credentials of chefs like Anthony Bar. Seeing where they worked before the show gives you a much better idea of their actual skill level versus their "TV character."
How to Follow the Cast Effectively
- Watch the After-Shows: This is where the cast of Vanderpump Villa usually lets the real truth slip. When they aren't in the heat of the moment at the Chateau, their perspectives change.
- Monitor "The Valley" and "VPR" Crossovers: Lisa loves a cinematic universe. Don't be surprised if some of these cast members pop up at SUR or Wolf in the future.
- Check Verified Accounts: Avoid the fan-run "update" pages if you want factual information. Stick to the cast members' direct Instagram and TikTok feeds for the most accurate (if biased) look at their lives.
The cast of Vanderpump Villa represents a new era of Vanderpump production. It’s glossier, it’s international, and it’s arguably more intense than anything we saw in the early days of West Hollywood. Whether they’re fighting over a guest’s breakfast or their own romantic entanglements, they’ve managed to capture that specific "lightning in a bottle" that makes reality TV a national pastime.
As we look toward the future of the franchise, one thing is certain: as long as Lisa Vanderpump is the one holding the keys, the cast will always be a mix of high-fashion, high-drama, and highly questionable decisions.
Next Steps for Fans:
To get the most out of the upcoming season, start by following the official Chateau Rosabelle social media accounts. This often gives you a "behind the scenes" look at the location itself, which helps distinguish between what's a production set and what's a functional luxury business. Additionally, keep an eye on industry trade publications like Variety or The Hollywood Reporter for official casting calls or renewal announcements, as these are more reliable than tabloid rumors regarding which cast members are officially signed for more episodes.