Bravo fans have had a whirlwind week of drama to process, with the revealed affair of Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss from the hit show Vanderpump Rules that have left people buzzing. But the piping hot tea just keeps coming after more and more personal statements are being posted for fans to dissect. Next up is Leviss’ second statement, which addresses where her relationship with Sandoval stands.
The affair — also known as “Scandoval” — between Sandoval and Leviss was a bombshell, since Sandoval had been in a nearly decade-long relationship with girlfriend Ariana Madix, whom fans have had the pleasure of watching their budding relationship since the Vanderpump Rules Season 2 reunion in 2014. That’s not the only conflict with the situation, though (sigh), because Raquel had been with cast member James Kennedy (who was good friends with Sandoval) for five years until they broke off their engagement in December of 2021. Kennedy and Sandoval were so close that Sandoval paid $25,000 for Kennedy’s engagement proposal to Raquel. (Wild, I know!)
Since the revelations of “Scandoval” were reported on March 3 by TMZ, Madix has broken off her relationship with Sandoval. Since the initial report, multiple statements have been made by both Sandoval and Leviss on Instagram, with Leviss’ most recent being posted on March 9 to her Instagram. “Besides the indefensible circumstances surrounding our relationship, my feelings for Tom have always been sincere and born out of a loving friendship. Knowing how many people were hurt, I need to understand my choices and learn to make better ones,” Leviss said. “I need to take care of my health, work on self-growth and take time to be ok with being alone. I care for Tom and don’t want to label anything or predict what lies ahead. Right now I need to heal.”
The vague post comes after her first statement on March 8, where she apologized to Madix. “I want to apologize for my actions and my choices foremost to Ariana, and to my friends and the fans so invested in our relationships. There is no excuse, I am not a victim and I must own my actions and I deeply regret hurting Ariana,” Leviss wrote.
With comments being turned off on both of her statement posts on Instagram, people are spiraling on the standing of Sandoval and Leviss’ relationship, especially since Kennedy, Leviss’s ex and friend of Sandoval, DMed celeb gossip account Deuxmoi on Instagram claiming the affair had been going on for seven months since summer of 2022. (You can find the receipts on Deumoix’s March 23 pt. 1 Instagram highlights.)
Cast members have rallied around Madix, posting in support of the situation and clearly taking sides. Co-star Katie Maloney posted a tribute on Instagram to Madix for International Women’s Day (how timely). “Blondes and Brunettes uniting 💥#internationalwomensday.” The post showed Madix stunning in a shimmering gold dress in the middle of the photo-op while her friends posed beside her.
For Leviss and Sandoval’s relationship, it seems they’ll keep it “friendly” for the time being, but fans probably won’t get the full truth until Vanderpump Rules’ Season 10 reunion. It’s unfortunate, but this mess will make for great reality TV.