Long before her drama captivated fans on Bravo, Lisa Vanderpump was a music video leading lady.
The multi-hyphenate – now 63 – has restaurants in hotspots such as West Hollywood and Las Vegas and has found fame as a reality star on Bravo’s The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, which she starred on for nine seasons before her departure in 2019.
Her television empire includes Vanderpump Rules, a RHOBH spin-off show focusing on the lives of her staff, along with the upcoming Vanderpump Villa, set at her estate in France.
But as it turns out, years before becoming an icon all herself, she appeared in three cheesy 1980s music videos.
As the British star looks set to expand her reality TV empire – DailyMail.com looks back at her past life as a music video vamp…
Long before her drama captivated fans on Bravo, Lisa Vanderpump was the leading lady of 1980s music videos
Vanderpump is now a wildly successful reality star and restauranteur
Lisa made her music video debut in 1984’s What In The Name of Love by Naked Eyes which sees the future star playing a guest relaxing at a wealthy man’s luxurious estate with other pals before she takes off with the staff (played by the band).
In the 1982 video for Poison Arrow by ABC, Lisa stars as an actress who caught the eye of Martin Fry, the lead singer.
The 1983 video for the band’s hit Mantrap sees Lisa play the gorgeous Samantha, a young woman who encourages Martin to gamble before convincing him to join her friends’ band.
The music video/short movie sees Samantha approaching Martin at the poker table.
‘Remember me? We met at a party… I’m sure we did. It’s Martin, isn’t it?’ she gently tells ABC lead singer Martin Fry.
‘Bet 13,’ she suggests. ‘Go on. Bet 13,’ she says.
Martin continues to place bets with Lisa by his side before eventually disappearing.
After cashing out, he leaves the soiree only to be beaten by a gang of men before he is rescued by another group of men.
A concerned Samantha rushes to his side and asks, ‘Martin are you alright? Martin?’
‘Thanks fellas. I appreciate that. Look, if there’s anyway I can pay you back,’ a frazzled Martin asks.
Released in 1984, the music video for What In The Name of Love by Naked Eyes sees Lisa playing a guest relaxing at a wealthy man’s luxurious estate with other pals before she takes off with the staff (played by the band)
Lisa has come a long way since her earlier years as a music video star – now she’s an A-lister and her name has become synonymous with reality television
Vanderpump in the Naked Eyes music video What In The Name of Love
She is seen entering the lavish estate in the Naked Eyes video
‘Maybe there is. We’ve got a chance at a European tour and we’re looking for a lead singer. Your could make a fortune!’ they insist. ‘You could be famous!’ they say.
‘I don’t know what to say,’ Martin says.
‘Say yes Martin,’ Samantha says. ‘Say yes,’ she says, with Martin eventually joining the band.
Years later, after finding fame on Bravo, Lisa also starred in Lady Gaga’s music video, G.U.Y.
Lisa has come a long way since her earlier years as a music video star – now she’s an A-lister whose name has become synonymous with reality television.
Not only has she owned 30 restaurants with her husband Ken Todd, but she previously starred in The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills for numerous seasons.
Her popularity led to the wildly successful spin-off, Vanderpump Rules. A second spin-off based off her ventures, Vanderpump Villa, will soon be premiering on Hulu.
The show will take place at her own luxurious French estate and will follow the staff at the lavish mansion as they both live and work ‘together to navigate every extravagant desire of their well-to-do guests,’ THR previously reported.
Last year she announced plans to open another restaurant – an eatery in Lake Tahoe.
Vanderpump pictured as Samantha in the ABC music video Mantrap
She encourages Martin Fry to continue gambling
She plays an actress in the ABC music video Poison Arrow
She caught the eye of Fry in the music video
Wolf by Vanderpump at Harvey’s Lake Tahoe will open sometime this winter and will bring her ‘bold and unique’ style to the spectacular resort, DailyMail.com exclusively reported last year.
Lisa revealed that this latest business venture holds a special place in her heart: ‘Wolf has additional meaning as it is a family name and the middle name of my grandson Teddy.’
‘Wolf will be filled with bold and unique design, taking elements from the character and identity of the wolf itself,’ Lisa said. ‘This opportunity to create a rich and indulgent space inspired by the natural beauty of Lake Tahoe was one I couldn’t resist.