Early in ‘Vanderpump Villa‘ Season 3, Hagen Bach shared a story that got a laugh but deserved more than that. In second grade, a kid kicked him in the face on the monkey bars, spit on him, and told him he would never be a butler at an English estate.
“And so to that kid,” Hagen said, “I say: look at me now.”
At the time, he was standing in Rosecroft Park in Buckinghamshire, England, on day one of his third season working for Lisa Vanderpump. He did not know what was coming. Neither did the rest of the cast.
The Bonus Ceremony
The Season 3 finale brought something Lisa said she had never experienced before — a summer where she did not have to let anyone go. She awarded four badges, each carrying a cash bonus, before revealing the largest prize she has ever given out in the show’s history.
Sam Terry took home the Badge of Consistency and a $10,000 bonus. Lisa praised his work ethic as “second to none.” Sam, who came into the summer hoping to explore something with Hannah and had to redirect that energy entirely into his job, said he “couldn’t be more grateful.”
Gabriella Sanon and Chef Anthony Bar each received a Badge of Dedication and $15,000. Lisa called them devoted and said their leadership kept the season running. Gabriella noted pointedly that she would prefer to earn a reward on her own — a clear reference to sharing the stage with Chef, who had walked out of a staff meeting earlier in the season. Chef, for his part, was already thinking past the bonus. His next move: proposing to his girlfriend. Then maybe kids.
Charlie Tiedemann received the Badge of Congeniality and a $20,000 bonus. Lisa credited his energy, good nature, and playful character with making guests feel genuinely welcome — no small feat in a season that included a flooded 200-year-old ceiling and a nearly-ejected Challenge cast. Charlie’s reaction was pure: “20,000? Holy shit. I worked really, really hard this summer. I really could use the money, and the recognition — it really means a lot to me.”
The Largest Bonus Lisa Has Ever Given
Then came the Badge of Excellence. $50,000. A guaranteed spot on the villa staff next summer. And, as Lisa put it, “this is actually the largest bonus I’ve ever awarded anybody.”
“This person exceeded all of my wildest expectations and has actually made me incredibly proud.”
The name: Hagen.
“My name next to $50,000? It’s giving rich. Like, I feel proud. Lisa thought I was excellent, so I’ll take that money, deposit it into my account, and merrily go on my way.” He gave a shoutout to Lewis Herring for leaving — the butler who walked out on day one and whose absence Hagen stepped up to cover.
His plans for the money: get his yachting certifications, work on a boat, hook up with a billionaire, and go from there. A plan as chaotic and completely on-brand as everything else he did this season, which from the video above, looks like he’s already getting started on.
Not Everyone Was Pleased
Marciano Brunette did not hide his feelings. “I’m upset because I know I worked my ass off, and I thought I deserved a bonus. The badge of excellence is not Hagen. I’m sorry, but what else am I going to say?”
Hannah Fouch was equally unbothered by tact. “Hagen? What did he do? Like, he gets the $50,000 for just walking people to their rooms. I should have earned a bonus. Me walking that huge estate — it’s a lot. I was doing a lot of cardio.”
Lisa ended the season the way she started it — in charge, emotional, and not wasting words. “To all of you, I love you. Really, I do. Go forward, live your best life, and thank you so much for an excellent summer.”
The Full Circle
The kid who got spit on and told he would never make it just won the biggest bonus in “Vanderpump Villa” history. In England. At an estate. As a butler.
That kid on the monkey bars has been proven wrong in the most expensive way possible.
All ten episodes of ‘Vanderpump Villa’ Season 3 are streaming now on Hulu.
The ‘Vanderpump Villa’ Season 3 reunion airs April 30th. See what we know and watch the trailer here.
More ‘Vanderpump Villa’ Content
Catch up on everything leading into the reunion:
- What Are the “Vanderpump Villa” Cast Up to Now?
- Who’s on the Hot Seat at the “Vanderpump Villa” Reunion?
- The Wildest Moments From “Vanderpump Villa” Season 3
- Questions the “Vanderpump Villa” Reunion Needs to Answer
- Everything to Know Before the “Vanderpump Villa” Reunion
- Are Marciano and Hannah Still Together After “Vanderpump Villa”?
For more “Vanderpump Villa” content, click here.
Want the daily reality TV drama — no spam, just the good stuff?
Subscribe