The Intriguing Love Story of Raquel Leviss and Tom Sandoval: Unveiling the Timeline of Their Enigmatic Affair

Scandoval: The Official Timeline. In summer 2022, a new chapter in the romantic lives of Raquel Leviss and Tom Sandoval unfolded, ultimately leading to a tumultuous aftermath. The Vanderpump Rules community became aware of Sandoval's association with Ariana Madix during season 2 of the popular Bravo show, when allegations arose that he had strayed from his relationship with his then-girlfriend, Kristen Doute, and engaged in infidelity with his fellow bartender. Initially, Sandoval and Madix refuted these claims, maintaining that no affair had taken place. However, Sandoval later confessed that he and Madix had shared a single kiss while in Las Vegas.

Following his breakup with Doute, Sandoval and Madix entered into a relationship. They publicly confirmed their partnership during the season 2 reunion, which aired in 2015. Over time, the couple decided to live together and eventually purchased a home in 2019.

When filming for the tenth season of Vanderpump Rules began in July 2022, Sandoval witnessed a different side of Leviss as she dealt with the aftermath of her separation from her former fiancé, James Kennedy.

"Sandoval revealed on the 'Howie Mandel Does Stuff' podcast in April 2023 that he and Raquel had developed a strong friendship. He expressed feeling 'trapped' in his long-term relationship with Madix and found Raquel to be amazing, describing her as kind, smart, witty, fun, and beautiful. In August 2022, their relationship took a new turn as they crossed a boundary. Sandoval then cheered on his best friend and business partner, Tom Schwartz, as he pursued Leviss, an idea suggested by Scheana Shay following their respective breakups. (Schwartz and Katie Maloney ended their five-year marriage in March 2022 with a divorce announcement)."

Sandoval admitted that he grappled with the idea of ending his relationship with Madix as his feelings for Leviss grew stronger.

"I went to therapy right after Raquel and I kissed and I realized how deeply I felt. I needed to figure out what to do because these emotions were overwhelming. I couldn't think straight anymore," he confided to Howie Mandel.

Sandoval asserted that their relationship was "healthy," but secretly meeting each other created an adverse atmosphere.

"However, time was constantly slipping away. Whenever we were together, it seemed like it could be our final encounter," he stated. "This led to us becoming fixated on seeing each other and such."

Sandoval attributed the delay in the split to their individual mental health struggles and involvement in different business ventures. He stated that he attempted to formally end the relationship with Madix in February 2023. However, less than a month later, she discovered his undisclosed relationship with Leviss.

Subsequently, both Sandoval and Leviss offered apologies to Madix through statements posted on Instagram.

Scroll through for a more in-depth breakdown of the timeline:

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Raquel Leviss and Tom Sandoval's Relationship Timeline: When Did Their Affair Start?

Scandoval: The Official Timeline. In the summer of 2022, a romance blossomed between Raquel Leviss and Tom Sandoval, despite him still being in a relationship with Ariana Madix. The aftermath of this love triangle has been increasingly complicated.

Fans of Vanderpump Rules discovered Sandoval's connection with Madix back in season 2 of the popular Bravo show when his then-girlfriend, Kristen Doute, accused him of cheating with his co-worker. Denying the affair initially, Sandoval eventually confessed to a single kiss shared between him and Madix in Las Vegas.

Following his breakup with Doute, Sandoval and Madix began dating. They officially announced their relationship during the season 2 reunion, which aired in 2015. The couple decided to live together and eventually purchased a home in 2019.

During the filming of Vanderpump Rules season 10 in July 2022, Sandoval witnessed a different side of Leviss as she dealt with her separation from her former fiancé, James Kennedy.

Sandoval expressed his bond with Raquel on the "Howie Mandel Does Stuff" podcast in April 2023, describing their friendship as strong. He admitted feeling confined in his relationship with Madix after being together for nine years. Sandoval spoke highly of Raquel, praising her kindness, intelligence, wit, fun-loving nature, and beauty.

In August 2022, the duo crossed a line in their relationship. Following this, Sandoval celebrated his best friend and business partner, Tom Schwartz, expressing interest in Leviss, as suggested by Scheana Shay. Shay recommended that Schwartz and Leviss engage in a make-out session amidst their respective break-ups. Schwartz and Katie Maloney, who had been married for five years, announced their divorce in March 2022.

As Sandoval's emotions for Leviss grew, he admitted to struggling with the decision of breaking things off with Madix.

"After sharing that kiss with Raquel and experiencing these intense emotions, I wasted no time in seeking therapy to navigate my next steps because the feelings were incredibly powerful," he confided in Howie Mandel. "Those emotions began to overpower me, causing logic and reason to fade away."

Sandoval insisted that their bond was strong, but engaging in clandestine activities created a toxic atmosphere.

"However, time was constantly slipping away. Whenever we were in each other's company, there was an underlying sense that it could potentially be our final encounter," he confessed. "This caused us to become consumed with the need to be together and so on."

Sandoval attributed the delay in the break-up to their individual mental health challenges and multiple business endeavors. He stated that he attempted to officially end their relationship in February 2023. However, less than a month later, Madix discovered his secret involvement with Leviss.

Sandoval and Leviss have subsequently expressed their apologies to Madix through statements posted on Instagram.

Scroll through for a more in-depth breakdown of the timeline:

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August 2022

Leviss departed from a girls' excursion with Katie, Lala Kent, and Kristina Kelly prematurely, presumably on August 4 or 5. Following this, she gatecrashed a boys' gathering at the Mondrian hotel in Los Angeles.

"The first night, my friend Brett and I engaged in an extensive conversation that lasted until sunrise," Sandoval informed Mandel.

After a See You Next Tuesday event at SUR, Sandoval and Leviss encountered a situation where they were unable to enter his house with Madix, which ultimately led to their initial intimate encounter.

"We shared a kiss. There was an undeniable attraction between us. We were engaged in conversation, gradually getting closer to each other, and before we knew it, we found ourselves kissing," Sandoval claimed. "That's where it all began. And then we hesitated, but eventually, we found ourselves near the fire pit, and one thing led to another. Yes, it was quite an experience."

Credit: Nicole Weingart/Bravo

August 2022

On August 23, 2023, Shay and Brock Davies tied the knot. The day before, at their welcome party, Leviss and Schwartz shared a kiss. Sandoval expressed feeling "a little jealous," but ultimately happy that his friends were standing up to their castmates. He believed that Leviss and Schwartz had been unfairly attacked and treated as if they were in a serious relationship by Katie and Lala.

"I wasn't doubting our bond, and their bold response, 'Screw you,' actually made me even prouder," he confided in Mandel.

Upon discovering that Schwartz had no romantic intentions towards Leviss, Sandoval opened up to his best friend about his emotions.

"In August, I discovered the affair. It initially started as a one-night stand, but from my perspective, it evolved into an emotional affair, which was clearly inappropriate. However, I didn't perceive it as a continuous occurrence," Schwartz revealed on WWHL. "Then, in January, he confessed to me that he had developed feelings for Raquel."

Later, Leviss acknowledged that she and Sandoval had engaged in sexual relations multiple times during their time in Mexico.

"I was initially skeptical about us being together. I doubted if our relationship would even exist. However, everything changed during our first night in Cancun. He was extremely intoxicated and struggling to locate his room. I overheard him conversing with a staff member, asking for directions to the elevator. Without hesitation, I invited him to stay with me temporarily, informing the staff member that he was heavily under the influence. It was during this encounter that we became physically intimate for the second time," she revealed in a June 2023 confessional.

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August 2022

During an episode of Pump Rules that aired in April 2023, fans discovered that Ally Lewber was the first person to bring up Sandoval and Leviss' connection on camera. This happened in an episode that was filmed shortly after Shay's wedding. In a confessional, Lewber revealed that she had seen Sandoval and Raquel dancing together at The Abbey after a See You Next Tuesday event at SUR. She expressed her discomfort with the idea of her boyfriend being out with other girls at 1 a.m. but acknowledged that everyone has different boundaries. Lewber found it strange that Ariana was not with them at that late hour.

During that same episode, Lisa Vanderpump questioned why Sandoval was smiling so much during a scene with Leviss. 

Credit: Courtesy of Raquel Leviss/Instagram

September 2022

During Madix's absence for her grandma's funeral, the two individuals slept together. Leviss expressed her frustration with Tom's decision to lie about the incident, acknowledging the inappropriate nature of hooking up with someone's partner in their own home, particularly during a somber occasion like a funeral. Leviss admitted to feeling drained and disgusted by the ongoing deception, expressing her strong aversion to dishonesty.

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Fall 2022

Following the conclusion of season 10, Sandoval and Leviss maintained their connection. Some of their fellow cast members have since pointed out concerning indications and evidence of their close bond. This includes the pair attending a Labor Day celebration in September 2022 without Madix present, as well as Leviss discreetly attending a Tom Sandoval & the Most Extras show in November 2022, without sharing any footage on social media.

Sandoval underwent therapy and alleged that his former partner had disregarded the warning signs. "I made an effort to meet up with Raquel as frequently as possible, even though it may sound terrible," Sandoval confessed to Mandel regarding his extramarital involvement. "I would regularly engage in FaceTime calls with her, and Ariana didn't even realize it because our lives were so disconnected. I had to confront her and ask, 'Have you not noticed how distant I've been lately?'"

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December 2022

According to TMZ, Sandoval took Leviss to his hometown of St. Louis. On December 29, the outlet shared a photo of the couple standing in front of the Apotheosis.

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January 2023

Sandoval and Leviss joined Schwartz and his rumored girlfriend, Jo Wenberg, in Big Bear.

"Just for the record, that trip belonged to both Tom and me. I informed Jo to join us later, but he sneakily brought Raquel along. What choice did I have then?" Schwartz disclosed to Andy Cohen about the trip. "I could sense their love for each other... Furthermore, at that point, I believed he had more or less ended things with Ariana and had fallen in love with Raquel."

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February 2023

Sandoval stated that he ended his relationship with Madix on Valentine's Day. He mentioned that she was extremely upset and even physically attacked him. A few days later, they had another conversation where Madix refused to let Sandoval leave her. Sandoval expressed his concerns about being faithful in their relationship at that time, as he hadn't disclosed his involvement with Raquel. Madix pleaded with him, saying that if he ended their relationship, it would essentially be the end of her life.

Credit: Bravo (2)

March 2023

Madix discovered a graphic video of Leviss on Sandoval’s phone on March 1. According to the TomTom co-owner, she allegedly brought up freezing her eggs earlier that day. 

Three weeks later, the group got together to shoot the season 10 reunion on March 23.

Credit: Bravo (2)

April 2023

Both Sandoval and Leviss have asserted that they are temporarily pausing their relationship due to the repercussions of the scandal. "We share a strong bond as friends, but we are refraining from categorizing it further," Sandoval stated during an April 11 podcast, refuting any claims of being "friends with benefits."

Credit: Bravo (3)

May 2023

Just hours before the highly-anticipated season 10 finale was set to air, news broke that Sandoval and Leviss had supposedly called it quits. While Sandoval's spokesperson vehemently denied these reports, even criticizing The Messenger's credibility by stating, "They don't even know how old Tom Sandoval is," Madix expressed her skepticism during her conversation with Cohen, suggesting that she didn't believe their relationship was truly over.

"I completely disagree with that. She recently sent letters to my home, just about four days ago," she mentioned during WWHL. She also clarified that she didn't read the content of the letter. When questioned about their supposed "love," Madix responded, "I'm not sure either of them truly comprehends the meaning of that word."

According to other sources, Leviss and Sandoval never established the boundaries of their relationship from the start.

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August 2023

Sandoval admitted sneaking in photos of Leviss while in training for Fox reality show Special Forces.

"I didn't consider it a badge of honor," he explained to TMZ. "I was more just feeling really lonely in that place, without any phones or anything."

His costar from Special Forces, Nick Viall, had a different perspective on the situation. He observed, "Sandoval appeared to genuinely care about her, and I'm saying that objectively," the former Bachelor of season 21 shared on his "Viall Files" podcast. "There seemed to be some hesitation regarding whether the public would accept their relationship, but to me, he seemed like someone who had genuine feelings for Raquel."