The explosive news of Scandoval shocks fans and cast alike.
One of the longest standing couples on Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules,” Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix, broke up after Sandoval’s affair with fellow cast mate Raquel Leviss.
TMZ initially reported the news, on March 3, with Madix disabling her social media the day before the news hit the internet.
During a Tom Sandoval and The Most Extras concert, a couple days before TMZ published their article, Madix discovered intimate videos and texts from Leviss on Sandoval’s phone. Allegedly, Madix may have sent the content to Leviss with a text that read “You’re dead to me.”
During the time of the alleged exchange, Leviss was filming Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live” with fellow “Vanderpump Rules” star Scheana Shay.
Madix allegedly called Shay to inform her about the situation. Shay proceeded to confront Leviss about the affair, to which Leviss admitted. The confrontation turned physical as Shay either fully punched or had a minor scuffle with Leviss. Leviss subsequently filed a temporary restraining order (TRO) after the physical incident.
Leviss’ legal action did not stop with Shay as her legal team contacted several “Vanderpump Rules” stars. According to TMZ, Leviss claims the video that Madix found on Sandoval’s phone was recorded without her permission during an intimate FaceTime call.
Lala Kent, a “Vanderpump Rules” star who first appeared on the show's fourth season, posted to her Instagram story on March 7 about the legal matter.
“Raquel, tell your little Mickey Mouse lawyer that if he has stuff to send over, he can send things to my lawyer,” Kent said during the rant. “I’ve never in my life had a lawyer contact me in my personal email.”
Kent proceeds to take direct shots at Leviss herself.
“I don’t know if you know how this works. I know you’re pretty new to the game,” Kent ranted. “Look what you did with your f—king 15 minutes.”
The video ends with Kent angrily telling Leviss’ legal team to send all the appropriate information to her own lawyer, Darrell Miller — a moment that became a meme.
According to Andy Cohen, the host of all Bravo’s reunions and the mastermind behind the “Real Housewives” franchise, the affair between Leviss and Sandoval has been happening for quite some time, possibly during BravoCon in October 2022.
Sandoval released his first statement a day after the TMZ article was published. He pleads for people to leave Tom Schwartz — longtime friend and business partner — along with his other friends and family out of the situation. He ends the statement saying he needs time to fully address everything.
His follow up statement came five days later and this one features a direct apology to Madix.
“…I want to apologize to Ariana. I made mistakes, I was selfish, and made reckless decisions that hurt somebody I love. No one deserves to feel that pain so traumatically and publicly,” the statement read.
Madix later broke her silence via an Instagram post on March 16. She expresses gratitude for the outpouring love she received from friends and family.
“When I have felt like I couldn't even stand, you all have given me the strength to continue and seen me through my darkest hours. To say I have been devastated and broken is an understatement,” the caption read.
Madix continued: “I am so f—king lucky to have the best support system in the world and I hope I can repay every single person for the love you have shown me. What doesn't kill me, better run.”
The current season of “Vanderpump Rules” will show the aftermath of the affair, showcasing a conversation between Sandoval and Madix.
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