Billie Lee has returned to “Vanderpump Rules” for Season 11, Pvnew can /confirm/i.
An insider exclusively tells us that the comedian — who made history as the Bravo reality series’ first transgender star in Season 6 — came back as an on-camera ally for Tom Sandoval in the wake of his earth-shattering cheating scandal.
“Billie came back to support Tom as he was experiencing some mental health challenges when cameras went up for Season 11,” the source shares.
“#NoFilter” podcast host and YouTube personality Zack Peter was the first to report on Lee’s return.
We’re told Lee, 39, connected Sandoval, 41, with Dr. Kien Vuu, MD — founder of VuuMD Performance and Longevity — to help the musician revive his self-esteem amid unrelenting public scrutiny.
On Tuesday, Dr. Vuu posted a video to his Instagram Story, describing the work he does, while tagging both Lee and Sandoval.
“Just finished a session with a client and I walk away just feeling so inspired by the bravery, the commitment, the courage to do the deep internal work,” said the MD, who, according to his website, specializes in “human optimization and regenerative medicine.”
“I’m reminded of the big healing,” Dr. Vuu added in the clip.
“Tom is doing great today,” a second source tells Pvnew. “He’s focusing on the positive and even expanding his social circle outside of the cast.”
For instance, Lee introduced Sandoval to fellow aspiring singer Tii, a new gal pal he was spotted hanging out with in West Hollywood, Calif., on Saturday night.
“Tii is a good friend of Billie, who introduced her to Tom,” a source previously told Pvnew.“Tom and Tii had a lot of fun during their night out and there’s definitely a connection.”
In addition to helping Sandoval get to a better place and meet new people, the first source says that Lee — who left the show in 2019 after two seasons — agreed to film again with an intent to “clear her name” after several cast members implied that she and the “Pump Rules” OG hooked up, a claim that both parties vehemently deny.
“Billie has filmed multiple scenes with Sandoval and more cast members,” the insider elaborates. “She is currently negotiating her contract for the rest of the season, which wraps filming in September.”
Reps for Bravo, Lee and Sandoval did not immediately respond to Pvnew’s request for comment.
The final part of “VPR” Season 10 — which received two Emmy nominations this year — largely focused on Sandoval’s affair with castmate Raquel Leviss. His infidelity was exposed in March, prompting girlfriend Ariana Madix to dump him after nearly a decade together.
Notably, Lee maintained close friendships with both Sandoval and Madix, 38, for years.
“Although Billie and Tom have been close for a long time, she didn’t speak to him for six about weeks after news of the affair broke out of respect for Ariana,” an insider tells Pvnew. “It was a difficult time because Billie was close with both of them.”
Lee was spotted leaving Sandoval and Madix’s shared Valley Village home in April. Shortly after, Madix unfollowed Lee on social media, causing fans to speculate about a fallout between the women.
“When she stayed at Tom and Ariana’s house in April — while Ariana was out of town — it was to make sure that Tom was OK amid the public vitriol,” the source explains, further claiming, “Billie gave Ariana a heads-up that she would be staying with Tom at their place.”
Despite any apparent friction with Lee, Madix has said she doesn’t believe the LGBTQIA+ advocate ever engaged in any inappropriate relations with her now-ex.
“I understand that this sounds crazy because Raquel was someone I loved and trusted,” Madix said during a May appearance on Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast, “but I trust that Billie Lee would not do that.”
