In the 11-plus years since her Bravo debut, Vanderpump Rules friend Kristina Kelly has experienced many life changes. Chief among them were the launch of several businesses; a new home build with her partner, Max Ville; and, perhaps the biggest and most exciting change, the birth of her first child.
Although it’s been a while since Kristina last appeared on the small screen, the former SURver frequently takes to Instagram to share updates on her post-reality TV life. And, from the looks of it, she’s still thriving.
Kristina Kelly kicks off “Virgo season” in a sizzling swimsuit look
The West Coast mom returned to social media this week to celebrate another year around the sun. Kristina posted a sultry photo in which she posed in an animal-print one-piece bathing suit next to a glass of wine.
RELATED: Kristina Kelly Is Building a Family Home: “Who Knew It Took This Much…”
“It’s Virgo season,” she captioned the August 24 photo.
The post received over a thousand “likes” and dozens of comments from fans and friends wishing Kristina a happy birthday. One of the messages came from Jesse Montana, a longtime friend of the original Vanderpump Rules cast.
“My gorgeous sis!!!” Jesse wrote. “Happy us szn.”
Kristina Kelly reveals her chic hair update: “Life’s short”
In the weeks leading up to her birthday, Kristina decided it was time for a hair refresh. She ditched her signature long brown locks in favor of a more modern, sleeker bob. Kristina unveiled the look in a July 21 Instagram photo that showed her shopping for flowers.
“Life’s short, get the bob,” she wrote.
Kristina provided a closer glimpse at her new ’do in an August 4 post, declaring her 2025 “short hair summer.”
Bradley Leake — the go-to stylist for many Bravolebs — was among those who gushed over Kristina’s updated look.
“It’s so chic,” he commented, to which Kristina replied, “Shall we [go] shorter?”
Kristina Kelly reflects on being a first-time mom: “It was meant to be”
The Vanderpump Rules friend has also shared many peeks at her life as a first-time mom. In March 2023, Kristina announced she and Max, whom she started dating over a decade ago, had welcomed their first child together.
“You’re more than I could have ever dreamed of, welcome to the world, River,” she captioned a photo of her then-newborn son.
Kristina opened up about motherhood during an August 2024 appearance on Mama’s Still Got It, an Amazon Live series hosted by Vanderpump Rules alum Lala Kent.
“When you were pregnant, do you remember me harassing you daily?” Lala asked. “I was so excited for you, just to experience all of it. I knew you and Max were just so perfect together… It just took me back to when I was pregnant with Ocean [Kent Emmet].”
Kristina said she always “wanted to be a mom” and knew “it was meant to be.” However, she admitted that the first year of motherhood had been a steep learning curve.
“Girl, I have a whole book of mom fails. I feel everybody does. If there’s anybody out there who’s like, ‘I don’t,’ you’re lying to yourself,” she said.
“I have a boy. I feel just keeping him alive is going to be an accomplishment,” she joked. “He’s climbing up on stuff; he’s go, go, go. I love him so much. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Kristina also told Lala she always wanted to be a “boy-mom” because she knew a son would be a better fit for her active lifestyle.
Get a look at Kristina Kelly’s life with her son, River
Fans got a closer look at the mother-son dynamic in an August 11 Reel of Kristina and River sitting in their van while admiring the ocean.
“This [white heart emoji],” she wrote. “All that *urgent* stuff will be forgotten. But whether your kid felt truly seen by you. That’s what lasts.”
In between her mommy duties, Kristina remains busy building her career. She’s the co-founder of the Vicente fashion label, as well as the creator of Heartspring, an all-natural, organic skincare brand.
Get more details about Kristina’s post-Vanderpump Rules life, including her and Max’s ambitious home project.
