The Shocking Reality of Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss' Affair on Vanderpump Rules Season 10

Vanderpump Rules fans were taken by surprise when the show's attention on Raquel Leviss' possible love connection with Tom Schwartz was suddenly upstaged by reports of her extramarital affair with Tom Sandoval. Prior to the commencement of filming for season 10 in the summer of 2022, Schwartz and Katie Maloney had already announced their separation after being together for more than ten years. However, as production began, news broke that the bar owner and Raquel had gotten intimate at Scheana Shay and Brock Davies' wedding in July 2022, causing Katie to become upset as she had previously asked her ex-spouse not to pursue relationships within their social circle.

The potential relationship between Raquel and Schwartz was a hot topic among viewers of the Bravo show. However, in March 2023, the situation changed as Sandoval and Ariana Madix ended their nearly decade-long relationship. According to an insider, the couple had been experiencing issues for some time, but it wasn't until Ariana discovered that Sandoval had been unfaithful with Raquel that everything came to a head.

After the news broke, Jeremy Madix, brother of the Florida native, took to James Kennedy’s Instagram post to criticize the Vanderpump Rules cast members for their fake behavior and willingness to betray supposed "best friends" for personal gain or a story line. He went on to describe the toxic nature of the lifestyle and group, warning against anyone getting involved. Madix also called out Tom's midlife crisis and Raquel's willingness to step on others to climb the ladder, dubbing it as "sell out type lame s—t." Additionally, he reminded everyone that Raquel was a fan of the show before she joined the cast.

Via Instagram, Sandoval expressed his remorse and issued an apology to Ariana and those affected by his actions. He acknowledged his mistakes and selfish decisions, acknowledging the pain he caused his loved one. Sandoval emphasized that no one deserves to feel such trauma and publicly apologized for dishonoring Ariana. He expressed regret for disappointing many, including their families and friends.

In the month following, fans began to scrutinize certain scenes from season 10 of Vanderpump Rules that seemed to have aged poorly due to the ongoing drama. One such scene involved Lala Kent and Raquel, which was shot in July of that year. Lala, who is known for her beauty empire, questioned Raquel's attraction towards unavailable men. "It's weird to me because Raquel never showed any interest in Oliver [Saunders] until I expressed my interest," Lala stated in a confessional. "Now she's acting like it's a competition and treating it like a beauty pageant."

Scroll on for every Vanderpump Rules scene that didn’t age well amid the affair scandal:

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'Vanderpump Rules' Season 10 Moments That Didn't Age Well Ahead of Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss' Affair

The focus of Vanderpump Rules took an unexpected turn when news of Raquel Leviss' affair with Tom Sandoval emerged, overshadowing her potential romance with Tom Schwartz. The show's tenth season was filmed in the summer of 2022, during which time Schwartz and Katie Maloney announced their split after being together for over a decade. It was later confirmed that Raquel and the bar owner had hooked up at Scheana Shay and Brock Davies' wedding in July of that same year, which upset Katie as she had requested her ex-husband not date within their friend group.

Speculation about a potential connection between Raquel and Schwartz was a hot topic among viewers following the release of new episodes of the Bravo show. However, in March 2023, the focus shifted when Sandoval and Ariana Madix ended their nearly ten-year relationship. According to a source, the couple had been experiencing issues for some time, but it wasn't until Ariana discovered that her then-boyfriend had been unfaithful with Raquel that things reached a breaking point.

Following the news, Jeremy Madix, the brother of the Florida native, criticized the behavior of the Vanderpump Rules cast. He observed that some individuals are willing to betray their supposed "best friends" and engage in fake social climbing for the sake of personal gain or a storyline. In his view, this lifestyle and group are toxic, and he would not recommend it to anyone. Jeremy had harsh words for Tom and Raquel, accusing them of being try-hards and fake, respectively. He noted that Raquel had been a fan of the show before her rise to fame and questioned whether anyone was paying attention to the true nature of the situation.

Via Instagram, Sandoval issued a heartfelt apology to Ariana and those affected by his actions, stating that he recognizes the hurt he has caused and takes full responsibility for his mistakes. He acknowledges his selfish and reckless behavior and expresses regret for dishonoring Ariana and disappointing their loved ones.

Viewers began scrutinizing scenes from the 10th season of Vanderpump Rules that seemed to have aged poorly due to the show's drama. One particular scene between Lala Kent and Raquel, filmed in July 2022, caught people's attention. In the scene, Lala expressed her confusion over Raquel's sudden interest in unavailable men. Lala went on to say in a confessional that Raquel showed no interest in Oliver Saunders until Lala expressed interest in him. Now, Raquel appears to be competing with Lala for his attention.

Scroll on for every Vanderpump Rules scene that didn't age well amid the affair scandal:

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Learning From Sandoval

During a February 2023 episode, Raquel opened up about the advice she got from Sandoval about creating a "boundary" with James. 

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Wrecking Her Costars' Relationships

During her conversation with Charli Burnett, Raquel disputed the notion that she was a "home wrecker" for pursuing Schwartz, arguing that there was no home for her to wreck. This conversation took place in the March 2023 episode, which aired just before news of her affair with Sandoval became public.

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Ariana's Conversations With Raquel About Her Love Life

Ariana was surprised to learn that Raquel had made a move on Schwartz, noting that she didn't think Raquel had it in her. Raquel expressed her uncertainty about her own identity during a conversation with Ariana and Katie in a March 2023 episode. The Fancy AF Cocktails author later reflected on Raquel's newfound confidence.

"I couldn't believe what you said to Katie last night, asking Schwartz if he wanted to make out," Ariana exclaimed. "It made me question if I'm about to be disappointed in Raquel for the first time. We've been encouraging her to explore and take risks, but asking Schwartz to make out is not exactly what we had in mind."

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Questioning Her Interest in James

James' mother insinuated that the circumstances surrounding Raquel and James' initial meeting were suspicious and not genuine, suggesting that Raquel may have had ulterior motives.

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Tom and Ariana's Domestic Life

During a March 2023 episode, Sandoval expressed his emotions about his girlfriend's departure for a girls' trip. He later reminisced about his relationship with Ariana while bidding farewell to her beloved dog, Charlotte.

Ariana never had a strong desire to have children, but if she could have given birth to a child like Charlotte, she would have eagerly embraced motherhood. While we knew this day would come, I am deeply concerned about how this news will impact Ariana," he confided. "All I can do is be there for her in any way she needs. After all, she's the love of my life."

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Seeing a Different Side to Raquel

"I can't seem to buy into Raquel's facade of being sweet and innocent," remarked Kristina Kelly to the camera as she shared her thoughts on Raquel's infatuation with Schwartz. "It's frustrating to see everyone treat her like a helpless child when it's clear she's capable of much more."

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Taking Responsibility for Her Actions

In a March 2023 episode, Lisa Vanderpump confronted Raquel about her questionable decision to pursue Schwartz. She urged Raquel to take responsibility for her actions and reconsider whether it was truly a good idea.

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Competing for the Same Man

During a March 2023 scene, Raquel admitted she was apprehensive about flirting with Garcelle Beauvais' son Oliver because of his connection with Lala.

"I can sense the chemistry between you and him. I don't want to make things awkward if you like him too," said the Californian to her co-star, acknowledging the attraction between them. "If he reciprocates your feelings, I wouldn't want to come between that."

This prompted the author of Give Them Lala to question Raquel's motives. "It's odd because Raquel wasn't interested in Oliver until I expressed my interest," she shared in a confessional. "Now it seems like she's in a competition with me, treating it like a beauty pageant."

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Not Trusting Raquel With Their Men

During a preview clip of an upcoming episode in March 2023, Lala expressed her distrust towards Raquel when it comes to her man. In response, Raquel retorted with a witty remark, "Thank God you don't have a man," which caught Lala, Katie, and Kristina off guard.

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The Necklace Cameo

During a March 2023 episode, sharp-eyed viewers spotted Sandoval donning a lightning bolt earring and necklace. This jewelry sighting fueled speculation that Sandoval and Raquel were wearing matching accessories to express their romantic feelings for each other.

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Discussing Infidelity

During a heated argument, Raquel accused her costar Lala of cheating and brought up a past incident where Lala had slept with James while Raquel was in a relationship with him. Raquel expressed her lack of trust in Lala and stated that she does not respect her actions.

She added: "You slept with a married man. If you break it down. People were calling you a mistress, why do you think that is? He was married."

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Katie's Insight

"She seems to only go after men that her friends are married to or interested in. That's a major warning sign for me," shared the cofounder of Something About Her in a March 2023 episode, as a pattern began to emerge in Raquel's behavior. Katie also cautioned Lala and Kristina Kelly to keep their boyfriends away from Raquel.

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Listening to Her Problems

During a March 2023 episode, Raquel voiced her grievances to Sandoval about Lala's accusations of her pursuit of men that the other girls are interested in. Raquel expressed feeling set up and misrepresented by the other girls. Lala's comment about not trusting Raquel around her man only added to her frustration, to which Raquel retorted, "It's a good thing you don't have one."

Later in the episode, Raquel told James that she spoke with Sandoval about a pool party.

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On Her Side

"You were a bully to her for no reason except to flex your power," Sandoval told Lala, taking Raquel's side during their argument in a March 2023 episode. "I can't unsee it. And while you may have moved on from sleeping with James while he was with Raquel, she hasn't. She only found out about it two weeks ago."

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Defending Her Friend

"It's hard for me to comprehend that Raquel is now the one fighting with others and behaving erratically," expressed Ariana in a confessional while reflecting on the girls' trip in August 2022. "Given the history of Katie, Lala, and Kristina's treatment towards others, I initially thought that they were the ones giving Raquel the mean girl treatment."

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The Irony

"I'm thrilled about the bond I share with Sandoval's business partner, Schwartz. We've really become close and who knows, we might become even closer in the future," Raquel expressed during a March 2023 episode. She added with a playful grin, "Although, 'closer' could be interpreted as referring to vaginal tightness."

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'Raquel, Raquel, Raquel'

Ariana expressed her confusion towards Raquel and Sandoval's behavior in an episode that aired in April 2023. She questioned Sandoval's repeated mention of Raquel's name and their apparent coziness, especially after her hookup with Schwartz. "Tom, stop," she said, as Raquel and Sandoval exchanged a smile. "You're acting weird...Why are you saying, 'Raquel, Raquel, Raquel?'"

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Too Close for Comfort

Lisa Vanderpump once questioned Sandoval's reaction when he sat next to Raquel during an episode in April 2023. She asked him why he seemed to enjoy it so much, to which he responded by sticking out his tongue and rubbing his hands together. Additionally, Sandoval defended Raquel after Katie criticized her, stating that she is a sweet girl who doesn't have a mean bone in her body and doesn't have many people in her corner.

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Ariana, Raquel and Sandoval's Friendship

In an unaired scene from an April 2023 episode, the trio caused a stir as they posed for photos in a pool. Ariana, without a top, playfully joked that people would assume they were all in a romantic relationship, while Sandoval and Raquel exchanged a glance behind her.

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Raquel's Reputation

During a scene in September 2022, Schwartz jokingly warned Brock and Tom to be careful around Raquel, stating that she has a type and tends to be attracted to men who are already in relationships. This comment was made shortly after Schwartz's own makeout session with Raquel.

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Refusing to Address the Rumors

During a Vanderpump Rules episode in April 2023, Sandoval was questioned by a Bravo cameraman about whether he had been "physical" with Raquel. In response, he denied any romantic involvement, stating with a smile in a confessional, "No. Nothing has happened between Raquel and I. Like, nothing. It's not like anything would happen between me and Katie either."

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The Status of Sandoval and Ariana's Relationship

During an April 2023 episode, Katie clarified to Ally [Lewber] that Tom and Ariana don't impose restrictions on each other in their relationship. However, she also expressed her disdain for Raquel and added that if Tom and Ariana do have an open relationship, Ariana is likely unaware of it.

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Awkward Advice

"I feel like in a relationship, you should want to have sex," Raquel told Ariana during a May 2023 episode amid her secret affair with Sandoval.

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Katie's Warning

During a May 2023 episode, Katie expressed her concerns to Ariana about Raquel's personality, character, and integrity. She emphasized the difficulty in believing that Raquel could be a good friend to some people while being a "s—tty" person to others. Katie's warning served as a cautionary message for Ariana to be wary of her friendship with Raquel.

My dear friend Raquel deserves nothing but respect and kindness. She's one of the sweetest and most loyal people I know, and I feel lucky to have her in my life. I trust her completely, and that includes trusting her with my boyfriend who I also love and trust.

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Stale Advice

During a May 2023 episode, Raquel shared her belief that sex should be a desired component of a relationship. However, Ariana countered with the notion that emotional intimacy precedes physical intimacy. In support of Ariana, the model expressed her opinion that self-criticism often hinders sexual confidence, but emphasized the importance of sex in a healthy partnership now that she is single.

Ariana expressed her intention to focus on improving her relationship with Sandoval as she wrapped up the conversation with Raquel. "If I didn't want to be with him, we wouldn't be having this conversation," she said. "I'm confident that we can communicate and work through any issues."

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Insider Information

"They appear to have become more like roommates behind closed doors. It's difficult to know what's truly happening, but from what I've observed, there's a lack of intimacy and acknowledgment between them. It's not a promising situation," noted Schwartz in a May 2023 episode, already aware of Sandoval's infidelity.

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Out of Context

Raquel paid a visit to Ariana's house shortly after her initial hookup with Sandoval, as captured by cameras in Vanderpump Rules Secrets Revealed June 2023 edition. When the model hugged Sandoval, she jokingly remarked, "I haven't seen you in so long!" Sandoval, the cofounder of TomTom, responded sarcastically, "It's been so long! [I] barely recognize you anymore!"

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On Her Side

Ariana expressed her fondness for Raquel to Katie, saying that it would take a lot for her to not love Raquel. They have spent a lot of time together on trips and have developed a beautiful friendship family. Ariana was disappointed by the comments made by others about not trusting Raquel around their man, as they have all stayed in houses together. She believes that the friendship family they have built over the past few years is special and unique.

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Awkward Confessional

After Raquel was caught sleeping over at Sandoval's house, she defended their friendship in previously unaired footage.

“To paint the picture that I’m some, like, homewrecking whore is just a little bit far-fetched," she said in the June 2023 episode, which was filmed amid her secret romance with Sandoval.