Katie Maloney Wants To See ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Become ‘More Diverse,’ Confirms They Are Not Filming Season 9

Katie Maloney wants to see a more diverse cast when Vanderpump Rules returns for a potential ninth season next year.

During an August 14 interview with People magazine, Katie opened up about the future season, which has yet to be confirmed, and admitted that when it comes to the current group, which consists of all straight Caucasian characters, she hopes to see a different look going forward.

“I know nothing [about the new members],” Katie shared. “I mean, I hope that our show can become more diverse, and that should have been happening for a long time.”

As the cast awaits their possible start date for production, Katie said she’s anxious and curious to see what Bravo will decide to do in regard to adding new people to the ensemble.

While Faith Stowers, an African American woman, was featured on the series’ sixth installment years ago, she was there for only one season and later revealed that she experienced racism within the group. Billie Lee, a transgender woman, was also featured for only one year of the show and has since accused Jax Taylor of refusing to film with her because she’s trans.

Although Katie hopes to see some shakeups before she and her cast mates reunite for production on the new installment, she admitted that when it comes to the network’s decision, she isn’t sure what their plan is as they remain on hiatus due to the ongoing restrictions in Los Angeles.

“I have no idea at this point, because obviously we’re not filming,” she continued. “And we don’t know when [we’ll be able to start], because until the restaurant can open… Right now, it’s kind of like we’re just sitting ducks.”

In July, SUR Restaurant, where the series is based, briefly reopened to guests amid the coronavirus pandemic but shut down again just days later due to an increase in COVID-19 cases.

As The Inquisitr previously reported, Katie has mended her friendship with Kristen Doute in the months since Kristen and Stassi Schroeder were fired from their roles on Pump Rules. During an interview with Us Weekly magazine last week, Katie explained that her friends’ exits from the show prompted her to reevaluate their relationship.

Looking back on what prompted her to mend things with Kristen, Katie said she decided to give their relationship a second chance because Kristen had been like a sister to her for so long.

“I can look past all the drama that happened last year and just be there for my friend right now,'” she recalled.