Scheana Shay has been a Bravo staple ever since “Vanderpump Rules” premiered in 2013. Over the course of all eleven seasons, and even popping up on the spinoff “The Valley” as a friend of the cast, she’s become one of reality TV’s most recognizable faces.
But now, Shay is opening up about what comes next. On an October 3 episode of her “Scheananigans with Scheana Shay” podcast, the 40-year-old revealed whether reality TV will remain a part of her future and, in a surprising twist, shared how former “Summer House” star Paige DeSorbo inspired her to think bigger and pursue other opportunities.
Scheana Shay Reveals Phone Conversation With Paige DeSorbo on Pursuing a Different Career Path
GettyScheana Shay revealed that former “Summer House” star Paige DeSorbo gave her the push she needed to step back from reality TV, at least for now. On an episode of her “Scheananigans with Scheana Shay” podcast, Shay confirmed that she chose not to film season 3 of “The Valley,” shutting down speculation that she hadn’t been offered a new contract.
Speaking with Bravo executive producer Alex Baskin, Shay admitted that when she first heard DeSorbo was leaving “Summer House,” she thought it was a risky move. But she soon realized it was a bold and inspiring move.
Shay then detailed calling DeSorbo as she too was conflicted about appearing on yet another season of a reality TV show, especially knowing that she was turning down an offer that most people would jump at.
“And I reached out to her and I’m like, I’m really struggling, Like, I need to make a decision soon. Like, how did you know it wasn’t for you?” Shay said. “And just after having like a long conversation with her, I started to feel the same way. And I thought, you know, maybe, maybe this isn’t the next step for me.”
DeSorbo stepped away from “Summer House” after seven seasons. She became a New York Times bestseller (which Shay can relate to) and launched her loungewear line, Daphne.
Shay Isn’t Saying No to Reality TV Forever
On her podcast, Shay admitted that while she’ll always have love for reality TV, she wants to feel the same passion for it as she does for acting, like she did during her guest appearance on an April 2024 episode of “Lopez vs. Lopez.” That spark, she explained, is one of the reasons she decided to step back from filming season 3 of “The Valley.”
“I feel like when I step in front of reality TV cameras again, I want to have the feeling that I had when I was on set of ‘Lopez vs. Lopez.’ It was the first time in a long time that I had like a fire in me where I was excited,” she shared.
She continued, “I didn’t have tightness in my chest and the anxiety feeling like, oh my God, I have lunch with her tomorrow and we have to talk about this. Like I feel like I want to find my purpose on reality TV. I don’t want my purpose to be reality TV.”
Shay confidently noted that while she won’t appear on “The Valley” season 3, fans can still expect to see her on their screens, whether on a sitcom or other acting projects.
“But I know I will be back on TV. I’m never going to not be on your TV. Sorry, but I will be,” she said.
