Stassi Schroeder’s much-anticipated reality series, House of Stassi, has officially landed on Hulu, marking a significant career pivot for the veteran reality television personality. The show, which debuted its initial episodes on Freeform on July 29th before transitioning to the streaming giant, has rapidly ascended to the number one spot on Hulu’s TV chart. This impressive debut underscores the enduring appeal of Schroeder and the appetite for unscripted content that blurs the lines between reality and documentary filmmaking.
A Meteoric Rise to the Top
The premiere week of House of Stassi has been nothing short of spectacular. Within days of its full release on Hulu, the series not only claimed the top position on the streamer’s television rankings but also secured a No. 2 debut across both television and film categories. The show has maintained a strong presence, consistently ranking within the top six spots on Hulu’s daily TV charts throughout its inaugural week. This sustained engagement signals a robust audience reception and a promising start for Schroeder’s new venture.
"That is a core memory I will never forget," Schroeder shared with The Hollywood Reporter, reflecting on the moment she learned of her show’s impressive performance. "I freaked out with my team and [husband] Beau [Clark] and everyone. We sat there crying… I’m just so thankful." This emotional response highlights the personal significance of the show’s success for Schroeder, who has transitioned from a prominent cast member to an executive producer.
Shifting Gears: From Reality Star to Executive Producer
For eight seasons, Stassi Schroeder was a central figure in Bravo’s hit series Vanderpump Rules, where she cultivated a persona as a quintessential "It girl" of reality television. Now, with House of Stassi, she steps behind the camera in an executive producer capacity, offering a fresh perspective on the unscripted genre. This transition mirrors the evolving landscape of reality television, where talent increasingly seeks creative control and a more authentic storytelling approach.
A key element of House of Stassi‘s production philosophy, similar to other recent unscripted hits like The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is its deliberate acknowledgment of the filming process. Schroeder emphasized the importance of "breaking the fourth wall" to achieve what she describes as the "realest possible show."
"If we didn’t acknowledge that we are filming a show, there’s automatically a layer of fakeness," Schroeder explained. "Back when I was on Bravo, we weren’t allowed to do that, so we had it in our heads to just pretend that’s not what was happening. And to me, that doesn’t make the realest show that you can." This candid approach marks a departure from traditional reality television conventions, where the illusion of unscripted spontaneity is often paramount.
Navigating Past Relationships and Future Prospects
The premiere of House of Stassi has naturally drawn comparisons to Schroeder’s past work. When asked about congratulations from her former Vanderpump Rules castmates, Schroeder noted that only Tom Schwartz had reached out. "I don’t expect it from anyone. I think that we’re like opposing teams. That’s what it kind of feels like, and that doesn’t bother me at all," she stated, indicating a clear separation from her previous professional circles.
The Long Road to House of Stassi
The journey to bring House of Stassi to fruition was a protracted one, involving significant strategic maneuvering. Schroeder’s initial pitch centered on her and her castmates embracing a high level of transparency on camera, leveraging her deep understanding of the reality TV format. "I kept saying, ‘You don’t understand; I know reality TV, and I will bleed out for this. And you’re gonna see dynamics that we normally don’t get to see represented on TV,’" she recalled.
Schroeder highlighted specific narratives within the show that exemplify this commitment to authenticity. She pointed to her own marriage to Beau Clark, noting the exploration of their reversed gender roles, with Schroeder as the primary breadwinner and Clark managing the household. Additionally, the show features the burgeoning family of her close friend Taylor Strecker and her wife Taylor "Teddy" Donohue, who was pregnant during filming.
The official announcement of House of Stassi in August 2024 coincided with news of Schroeder’s return to screens in a different capacity: for season two of Lisa Vanderpump’s Vanderpump Villa. Schroeder revealed that her pitch to Hulu for House of Stassi had already been submitted before the crossover opportunity with Vanderpump Villa arose. She strategically leveraged the potential of her new show to secure her participation in Vanderpump Villa.
"When I said I would do Villa, I was like, ‘Listen, if I’m gonna do Villa, you have to greenlight my show,’" Schroeder recounted. "When they said, ‘We can’t do that just yet,’ I was like, ‘Fine, then you’re gonna have a press release about it.’ Everyone thought I was insane, and I’m like, ‘Trust, if we just release a press release, it will get so much buzz that it’ll force this along a little bit more.’ And it worked." This assertive negotiation tactic underscores Schroeder’s dedication to her vision for House of Stassi.
Hulu was always the desired platform for House of Stassi. "We put so much hope into it landing at Hulu, even though I still had to pitch everywhere else. I’ve learned a lot during this process; that’s just etiquette in terms of pitching shows," she commented.
The Producer’s Role and Cast Dynamics
A crucial aspect of Schroeder’s vision for House of Stassi was her involvement as an executive producer. She described this as "the hardest part" of the process, citing the difficulty in finding a production company willing to collaborate under her producer title. "Most everyone but one said no," she admitted.
Ultimately, the show was greenlit and produced by Scout Productions and Belcheri Productions. Erin Foye and Jenna Rosenfeld, who served as EPs on Vanderpump Rules, brought their expertise to House of Stassi alongside Schroeder. While executive producer credits are increasingly common for talent, Schroeder’s active role extends beyond a title, with her hands involved in multiple facets of the show’s development and execution.
Despite her significant producer role, Schroeder emphasized her commitment to maintaining fairness for her cast. "I took my producer hat off as much as possible during filming," she stated, aiming to ensure that her personal involvement didn’t compromise the integrity of the cast’s individual storylines. She made it clear to her castmates on day one: "Just because I’ve been your leader and I’m having those talks [in my role as an EP], right now, as of today, I’m your cast member, co-star, friend. I won’t know about your storylines. I won’t know what you’re filming, because that’s not fair."
Public Reception and Personal Reflections
The launch of House of Stassi has ignited considerable online discussion. Schroeder has actively engaged with the public’s reactions, acknowledging both the positive and challenging aspects. "The rush of having everyone be like, ‘We’re obsessed.’ ‘This is something so new and different,’ and ‘This is a new category of reality TV;’ the fact that everyone is watching and then talking about it, I feel so satisfied and blessed," she expressed. However, she also admitted, "But it’s also been a rough week, because I forgot what it was like to be out there and have so many opinions. It’s crazy to have a week that is the best week of your life also be a hard one."
Schroeder candidly reflected on her polarizing public image: "I forgot how polarizing I was. People really either want to be against me or be for me, and I’m a bigger fan of the gray area." This self-awareness suggests a desire for a more nuanced public perception moving forward.
Navigating Marital Strife and Friendship Dynamics
A significant focal point of the season finale was an "intervention"-style dinner party hosted by friends of Schroeder and her husband, Beau Clark. The event, intended to address concerns within their marriage, devolved into a heated argument between the couple, sparking widespread commentary and think pieces.
Schroeder acknowledged the vulnerability displayed during the confrontation. "Because we were both so vulnerable and didn’t hold back and showed real married couple things and issues," she explained. "We have had a million conversations since then, and that’s something that we continue to work on."
However, she expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which her friends approached the situation. "I still think that all my friends handled that incorrectly," she stated. "That’s not something you bring up to a person at a big Christmas holiday dinner party, that’s something that you guys come to me directly and say. And I will have it out with them, [with a potential] season two." She admitted that her emotional response, rather than her producer’s objectivity, took precedence during the filming of that difficult night. "My sadness really outweighed my producer head in that moment," she confessed. "That was a really hard night for me. And while I knew that, everyone’s just doing what I said and making good TV, it hurt more than I could appreciate it."
Despite her reservations about the execution, Schroeder remains open to further discussion. "I can see everyone’s point of view a teensy bit. The execution was absolute shit, and that is something that I need to talk to them about," she said.
Unraveling Inner Circle Dynamics
Beyond the marital discussions, the season also touched upon the personal lives of those closest to Schroeder. The revelation of Katie Maloney’s experience with an emotional affair and the hot mic conversation between Schroeder’s sister Georgi Aubin and Beau Clark’s friend Rob Evors, hinting at a months-long romantic entanglement, have generated considerable intrigue. Schroeder expressed skepticism regarding Aubin and Evors’ denials, citing the recorded evidence. "I don’t believe either of them right now," she stated, adding, "They keep saying, ‘No, we were just we were messing with you guys,’ And I’m like… that’s footage we found on your microphone. What do you mean you were just messing with us?"
Schroeder hopes that an anticipated second season of House of Stassi will delve deeper into the complexities of her inner circle’s relationships. She also expressed a desire to showcase more of her life as a mother.
The Motherhood Narrative and Future Aspirations
Schroeder voiced disappointment that several scenes featuring her children did not make the final cut of the first season. "I’m bummed that a lot of the scenes with me, Beau and our kids really didn’t make it in," she said, addressing online criticism. "I see the criticism online of being like, ‘Stassi’s a bad mom’ or whatever. I’m like, ‘You didn’t even see me parent. You didn’t even see a scene with me being a mom. So how could you even say that?’"
Looking ahead, Schroeder remains enthusiastic about the possibility of a second season of House of Stassi, which would not preclude her return to Vanderpump Villa. "I really love doing Vanderpump Villa. I love the staff, I love Lisa; that is a dream job," she affirmed.
Her overarching aspirations for the show are clear: "My hopes for the future is that we can continue to do this, evolve, show more stories that people want, have conversations and debates about [the show]. Like, that’s the dream." Reflecting on her journey, she concluded, "The things that I’ve learned is I guess I’m not always right, and I need thicker skin sometimes."
Season one of House of Stassi is currently available for streaming on Hulu.
