Stassi Schroeder Says Apologizing to Lisa Vanderpump Was "Really Hard"

After Stassi Schroeder appeared to have burned all her bridges within the SUR family, she has returned to Vanderpump Rules for somewhat of a redemption tour. After stepping away from the series at the end of Season 3, the former SURver is ready to make amends with her one-time circle of friends — including former boss, Lisa Vanderpump. As fans have seen, she's been met with some uncertainty, and that was was most obvious during her tense sit-down with Lisa on Monday night's episode of Vanderpump Rules. Will her apology tour be just as hard to watch as the season progresses? The Daily Dish spoke with the Style by Stassi blogger about returning to the show as well as her take on Season 4's new blood. 

What did you think when you saw your first episode back?

Stassi Schroeder: It's so weird to watch because things are so different from what they used to be. But I enjoyed watching it and I'm happy with the way everything's turning out. I feel like we're all at really good places individually in our lives and it's been really nice.

Obviously you and Lisa have had a very interesting relationship over the years. Where do you stand now, and what was it like when you finally got to sit down? 

That was one of the hardest things, actually. Lisa, she has a way with words and she definitely knows how to put someone into their place. That was really hard. Not my favorite day. Wouldn't want to do that again.

Where are you now? Are you able to talk?

I actually don't know. I haven't seen her, so your guess is as good as mine.

Would you want to be closer with her?

I just don't want to have any issues with anyone, even Lisa. I just want everything to be easy, and whatever kind of relationship she wants or doesn't want, it's fine. But I just want things to be easy.

This season the show's been a little different. We've had a few new SURvers [Lala and James], it feels like the dynamics are a little bit different within the group. What was it like for you to come into it after being away and experiencing that?

It was definitely weird to witness how the dynamics have shifted. That was very strange. [After being gone for so long], it was just like a 180. But that's what happens with our group. I feel like every year dynamics shift and change, so you just gotta roll with it.

Talk about who you were then and who you are now. Do you feel like you've changed?

It's weird because all of us had to watch the Season 1 reunion recently and it was so crazy to see how much we've all changed. I just feel like I really needed to take — as much as I regret the way I handled everything last summer, I really needed that 10 month break where I didn't think I was ever going to be a part of this again for me to kind of learn a little more about myself. And I really did learn that I have a bad habit of cutting people out when I feel like I'm wronged. And that's something that I really try — actively try — and not do now. I also learned when you're holding on to the pain or the anger, it only makes it worse for yourself. I'm so much happier now that I can let things go.

Is that why you and Kristen were able to sit down and hash things out?

I didn't speak to her for a year and then after a year of not talking, she reached out to me. And [then] I would maybe text her back, and then it turned into a phone call, and then it turned into, "Do you want to get a drink?" It was a very slow thing. I've always said that Kristen isn't a mean person and Kristen would never do anything to intentionally hurt me. [She's] just a little self-destructive and crazy and makes bad decisions. And so knowing that about her makes it very easy to forgive anything else.

What did it feel like for you to sit down and rehash some of the things that have gone on in the past? Do you see a future with these people that you've spent so many years with? 

Well, it was a really hard summer. Sitting down with a lot of them was really hard because I made the decision going in that I was just going to let everybody get out what they needed to get out and say whatever they needed to say to me. I was willing to take some beatings, so that was really difficult. But sometimes I feel like even when you feel like you're wronged, you kind of just have to let it go and let people feel and say what they want to.

Who surprised you the most during those conversations?

Tom Schwartz. Well, you'll see [why], but it just wasn't what I expected. I went in there thinking it was gonna be one thing, and it ended up being another.

You've had the chance to meet Brittany, Jax's new lady. What are your thoughts on her? 

I think she's adorable. I really like her a lot. I think after watching her on TV, she handles herself with so much grace. She's like a true Southern girl. When somebody's saying something to her that might be rude, whereas I would probably say something snarky right back, she just has this genuine smile and nods and goes on with what she's doing. And it's not a fake smile, it's seriously how Southern girls are raised — except, I don't know why I wasn't like that. I missed that one.

Check out some vintage photos of Stassi, below.