Are These 'Vanderpump Villa' Stars the New Jax and Stassi? Viewers Think So (2024)

When Vanderpump Villa premiered Monday, two cast members seemed very familiar to longtime Vanderpump Rules fans.

In the first three episodes of Lisa Vanderpump’s new Hulu series, which follows the staff at her French countryside estate, Chateau Rosabelle, much of the drama involves ​​Marciano Brunette and Hannah Fouch, a former couple navigating a complicated history.

According to Fouch, Brunette cheated on her after they had been dating for three years and they broke up, but then they hooked up again about a month before the show's premiere.

While their current relationship has “no status,” she notes, “There still is that jealousy factor.”

Viewers were quick to draw parallels between the pair and Jax Taylor and Stassi Schroeder, who dated on and off throughout the first two seasons of Vanderpump Rules while employees at West Hollywood restaurant SUR. Taylor cheated on Schroeder multiple times, including with her best friend Kristen Doute.

“If you guys miss the toxicity of Jax and Stassi’s relationship in Vanderpump Rules, look no further than watching the first three episodes of Vanderpump Villa on Hulu,” said one TikToker who goes by mariahkat in a video reviewing the new show.

“Specifically I’m talking about Marciano and Hannah’s relationship. They are so incredibly similar to Jax and Stassi, it is insane. Marciano and Hannah dated for three years and their relationship ended because Marciano cheated on Hannah. Surprise, surprise, now they’re working together.”

“Also, Marciano is so similar to Jax, it’s insane,” mariahkat adds. “He has such a loud, obnoxious personality. He’s not afraid to yell at women. And he drinks at work with the clients."

X (formerly Twitter) users shared similar takes on Brunette and Fouch, with numerous posts echoing the similarities with Taylor and Schroeder.

“Hannah and Marciano are giving Jax and Stassi season 1 lmao #VanderpumpVilla,” wrote user Monica Acosta.

“So I see we have Hannah and Marciano cosplaying as Stassi and Jax #VanderpumpVilla #PumpRules,” wrote another user who goes by realitea queen.

“Marciano, he is giving major Jax Taylor vibes,” said TikToker Delaney Swift. "Like, troublemaker, playboy, acting out, not taking direction, anger management. I feel like he could have longevity on this show."

“If he doesn't get fired or sent home, I feel like he could have a long career because we could see the evolution of Marciano,” Swift adds. “We could see him go from playboy, crazy party boy, anger to being this more evolved version of himself and getting into a long-term relationship.”

Taylor eventually married Brittany Cartwright in 2019 and welcomed son Cruz Cauchi in 2021. The couple, who announced their separation in February, are currently cast members on Vanderpump Rules spinoff The Valley, which follows the next chapter of their lives.

Schroeder and Doute were onVPRfor eight seasonsbefore being firedin June 2020for past racially insensitive actions. Taylor and Cartwright exited the original series in December 2020.

Lisa Vanderpump herself weighed in on the inevitable comparisons between Brunette and Taylor during an interview with E! News last week.

“He’s definitely different,” she said of Brunette. “Yeah, he’s a bit of a naughty boy. But no, he’s definitely different to Jax. Thankfully.”

Brunette told E! News he’s not mad about being labeled the new Jax.

“You know, honestly, I take it as a compliment,” he said. “I’m not gonna say anything poorly about Jax, but I would like to think I’m a better version of Jax. I’m Jax 2.0, okay?”

“But I think, if there was a comparison to be made, I think that would be the closest comparison, that’s for sure. I’m okay with it,” he added. “I think it’s fairly fitting.”

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Fouch weighed in on the similarities in an interview with Business Insider.

"I don't know them personally, but from watching the early seasons of Vanderpump Rules, I feel like we're completely different," she said. "But I can see where that can give off a similarity because of all the fights and insecurity."

She also called Schroeder an “icon” in an interview with Decider ahead of the show’s premiere.

“I love that we’re getting compared to Stassi and Jax,” Fouch said. “I think Stassi is an icon and I think she’s amazing.”