Kristen Doute Opens Up About Life After Break from ‘Vanderpump Rules’ Spotlight: ’40 and Thriving’ (Exclusive)

Kristen Doute has entered a new decade and couldn't be more thrilled for what's to come.

Speaking exclusively with The Messenger at the James Mae Collection Sneak Peek event for their newest line on Thursday, the fashion designer, author and reality TV star opened up about life after Vanderpump Rules — and how her much needed break provided a window of opportunities.

"We all know what happened with me during quarantine and leaving Vanderpump Rules," said Doute, who left the Bravo series in 2020. "That definitely gave me a lot of time to think about, what do I want to do with my platform and what do I want to do moving forward."

"I decided to take a little bit of a break and really reset for James Mae and think about, why did I start this brand to begin with back in 2018?" she continued. "What was the drive? And the drive really was that I loved to wear vintage rock and roll boho."

"So my vibe, and honestly part of it was when I was filming Vanderpump Rules, I can't wear a lot of things like band tees that are licensed," Doute noted. "So I'm like, well, I was tired of going shopping for T-shirts that I wasn't really into, and I didn't want the fast fashion. So I'm like, 'Well, let me start James Mae.'"

The author of He's Making You Crazy: How to Get the Guy, Get Even, and Get Over It — which came out in 2020 — spent a majority of her 30s publicly dating VPR star Tom Sandoval before their downfall. Now, Doute is in a happy, loving relationship with her boyfriend of one year, Luke Broderick.

"I know that we have an amazing future ahead of us, full of a couple of kids and a lot of love and a lot of really cool entrepreneurial businesses and endeavors," shared Doute, who co-hosts podcast Sex, Love and What Else Matters alongside Broderick.

Now, as she slowly starts to inch back into the spotlight, Doute said she couldn't be in a better place, both personally and professionally.

"I just turned 40 this year," she said. "I'm 40 and thriving."

In June, The Messenger confirmed that former stars of VPR — including Doute — are returning for a brand-new show.

A source told The Messenger, "a VPR spinoff is in the works, with Kristen [Doute], Jax [Taylor] and Brittany [Cartwright] in talks to potentially join the cast."

Doute and Taylor were part of the original cast since Season 1, while Cartwright joined in Season 4; though all three left at the end of Season 8. However, Doute appeared in one episode of the most recent season as well as on Watch What Happens Live!

James Mae's upcoming collection will include T-shirts (running $38-$54) and sweatshirts (priced at $68-$88), available this holiday season.