The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills without Lisa Vanderpump? Perish the thought. E! News has learned LVP has signed a new contract to return for the seventh season of the Bravo reality series.
According to a source, Vanderpump signed on the dotted line last night after reportedly holding out due to misgivings over the negativity that surrounded last season. Our source said the reality star is excited and more comfortable now that there's a new Housewife in her corner. The new Housewife, who is being kept under wraps for now, is a friend of Vanderpump's. The newcomer could very well likely have her back should Vanderpump become the drama target again. We're also told one of the factors that helped sway LVP into signing on the dotted line was the network's support of her causes, including LGBT rights and her crusade to stop Yulin's dog meat festival.
Last season Vanderpump clashed with Lisa Rinna over whether or not they discussed Yolanda Hadid having Munchausen by proxy syndrome. She was also accused of manipulating the women and Eileen Davidson had issues with Vanderpump's questioning over how her relationship with her husband began.
Before Vanderpump signed on, a source told us she felt "drained from all the negativity from last season," but would likely return at the urging of husband Ken Todd and friends. Vanderpump, who has been with The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills since the start, also has her own spinoff on Bravo. Vanderpump Rules, which is returning for a fifth season, follows the employees of her restaurant SUR.
One person for sure we know won't be returning to RHOBH is Hadid. She announced her exit on Instagram, but previous cast members pop up all the time. Camille Grammer, Kim Richards, Brandi Glanville, Adrienne Maloof and Taylor Armstrong all have made return appearances from time to time.
(E! and Bravo are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)