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Where Is ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Alum Billie Lee Today? Details, Updates About Former Bravo Star
The cast of Vanderpump Rules has had its fair share of shakeups ever since the show premiered on Bravo in 2013. One of the most memorable cast members was Billie Lee – the first transgender woman to appear on the long-running reality series – but what is she up to today?
What Seasons of ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Did Billie Lee Appear On?
VPR fans were first introduced to Billie during season 6 of the show, when the reality TV alum gave a powerful speech during SUR’s annual pride celebration. She served as a hostess at the popular West Hollywood restaurant during her time on the show and appeared in a total of 10 episodes.
Why Did Billie Lee Leave ‘Vanderpump Rules’?
Billie confirmed her exit from Vanderpump Rules in July 2019, writing about her decision to leave the show in a blog post titled, “Two Week Notice.”
Noting that she “met some of the most wonderful people” during her run on VPR, the outspoken animal rights activist told fans she “realized that SUR was no longer right” for her. “I had many people try to convince me to stay, ‘Billie do another year! You are stronger than this,’” she wrote at the time, adding, “But honestly, I couldn’t do another year and I wasn’t strong enough.”
Though Billie originally claimed she left the show on her own terms, the actress later alleged that she was fired while appearing on the “I Feel Tried” podcast in June 2020.
“People were trying to get on camera, people wanted to be famous. And like, all I wanted to do was give a voice to the trans community,” Billie claimed. “I was actually dismissed. I publicly came out and said that I left … but what happened was toward the end of the seventh season, I was told that Jax [Taylor] and them did not want to film with me.”
Is Billie Lee Still Friends With Her Former ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Costars?
Though she no longer appears on VPR, Billie appeared to be friends with some of the cast members, including Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix. In February 2023, she attended Ariana’s DFH (Drink From Home) event held at TomTom, where current and former Vanderpump stars Tom Schwartz, Katie Maloney, Lala Kent, Scheana Shay, Dayna Kathan and more were in attendance.
Billie stepped out with Sandoval on April 14, 2023, more than a month after news of his cheating scandal with Rachel “Raquel” Leviss broke. The pair enjoyed a Friday night outing in West Hollywood, despite many of the Vanderpump Rules cast members not speaking to Tom after he betrayed his girlfriend of nine years, Ariana, with James Kennedy‘s former fiancée. Life & Style confirmed the split in March 2023, after Ariana found sexting messages from Rachel on Tom’s phone. He later made a public apology on Instagram for hurting and humiliating his longtime partner.
Billie lost at least one former costar friend over her hangout with Tom, as Scheana called the situation “shady” in an April 19, 2023, appearance on Watch What Happens Live. The “Good as Gold” singer revealed she unfollowed Billie on Instagram as a result. Ariana had done the same earlier in the week.
Billie tried to defend her activities with Tom in an April 18, 2023, Instagram post. “Tom and Ariana are my family. They have been there for me over the years and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them,” she wrote. “It saddens me that people are so fixated on picking a side. Both are human and are both hurting in their own ways. There is a world where you can support and be there for both parties and that’s the world I choose to live in.”
Lala seemingly isn’t friends with Billie as the podcaster resurfaced rumors that she and Sandoval hooked up while he was dating Ariana, an accusation Kristen Doute shared during the season 7 reunion.
“I think that Tom has been hooking up with a lot of people,” Lala said in a confessional during the season 10 finale. “A few years ago, I heard the rumors that Tom and Billie Lee go off and do whatever they go and do.”
One season later, Ariana addressed Tom’s often hangouts with Billie.
“I think Billie Lee literally lives in my house right now, by the way,” Ariana said during a Vanderpump Rules After Show that aired after the season 11 premiere in January 2024.
What Does Billie Lee Do for Work Now?
Though Billie has seemingly left the reality TV realm, she hasn’t completely disappeared from the limelight. The writer and producer is an up-and-coming comedian, performing at comedy clubs across Los Angeles.
In January 2023, Billie gushed about the support she received from fans, friends and fellow comedians after performing at the El Portal theater in North Hollywood. “Last night was incredible. My babes really showed up for me,” she captioned a carousel of photos, noting, “My eighth #StandUpComedy show ever was a TV special.”
