Understanding the Legal Battle: Rachel Leviss vs. Tom Sandoval & Ariana Madix in Vanderpump Rules

Vanderpump Rules star Rachel "Raquel" Leviss is taking legal action against Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix. The fallout from Scandoval has completely changed her life, leading her to pursue a lawsuit. Many are curious about the details of her legal case. Raquel, who was previously engaged to James Kennedy on Vanderpump Rules, spent years on the show building relationships with the rest of the cast. Despite past issues, Tom and Ariana, who started dating after season 2 of the show, became friends with both James and Raquel. However, everything changed when it was revealed that Tom and Raquel had been involved in an affair.

The affair between Raquel and Tom became public knowledge in early March 2023. The secret tryst was uncovered just hours after Ariana found out about it. In the following months, both Tom and Raquel faced backlash on social media and in the court of public opinion. They were criticized for their actions and their failure to take responsibility. While Tom had opportunities to appear on The Masked Singer and Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, Raquel faced harsh treatment in the media. The negative attention took a toll on her mental health, prompting her to seek care at a mental health facility in Arizona.

Raquel Is Suing Tom And Ariana For Personal Reasons

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On February 29, 2024, it was revealed that Raquel is suing both Tom and Ariana for their roles in causing major damages after their scandal. Raquel claims they were responsible for image-based sexual abuse, eavesdropping, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, as reported by Deadline. The fallout of the Scandoval scandal went global, making it difficult for Raquel to live normally. She expressed in the legal documents the immense pain she has endured during the media frenzy.

Raquel disclosed that Tom secretly recorded sexually explicit videos of her without her consent, leading to the scandal being exposed through a screen recording. Apart from Tom's involvement, Raquel also criticized Ariana's actions, portraying her as a villain in the scandal. Raquel's team accused Ariana, a star of Vanderpump Rules season 11, of distributing, disseminating, and openly discussing the videos, labeling her as a "scorned woman seeking revenge, fueling the scandal." While Raquel acknowledges her own role in the scandal, she hopes for recognition that others are equally responsible.

Raquel Unaware of Tom Recording Their Intimate FaceTime Calls

Raquel's legal documents reveal a concerning issue regarding Tom's behavior during their affair. It was disclosed that their FaceTime conversations were being recorded without Raquel's knowledge or consent. The documents describe Tom, who is in his early 40s, as engaging in a relationship with 29-year-old Raquel while secretly recording their interactions. This act is characterized as predatory and dishonest, highlighting Raquel as a victim of Tom's deceptive actions.

Raquel's mental state declined after the public drama of Scandoval.

Proof of the affair was what led Ariana to uncover Tom's cheating, but the existence of explicit recordings was alarming. Tom's possession of sexually explicit FaceTime calls with Raquel could lead to serious consequences as a form of sexual abuse. Ariana's public discussion of the recordings and potential distribution, as stated by Raquel's legal team, is problematic. Although Ariana took action, she could be accountable for any harm caused to Raquel's mental health.

Despite Raquel's mental health not being in a good place before the Scandoval scandal made headlines, the impact of the incident on her was significant. She found herself in a completely different state of mind. According to legal records, Raquel made the decision to admit herself to a mental health facility where she stayed for three months. Meanwhile, Bravo, Evolution, and the cast continued to capitalize on the public interest in her downfall. While Raquel focused on improving her mental well-being during her treatment, those involved in the show were intent on portraying her as an even bigger villain.

Raquel Includes Ariana in Defamation Lawsuit

Raquel is including Ariana in the lawsuit for defamation, stating that she is not the only one responsible for the damage caused to her relationship with Tom and the Vanderpump Rules cast. Her legal team points out that Ariana played a significant role in harming Raquel and is benefiting from the aftermath. While Ariana has experienced success post-Scandoval, Raquel has been working hard to maintain her personal and professional life.

Raquel Blames The Vanderpump Rules Producers & Cast For Her Decline

In the legal documentation, Raquel’s team explains that Ariana’s distribution and public vitriol surrounding the other woman made it difficult for her to continue on. While Ariana was speaking out about the affair in every avenue possible, Raquel was in a mental health facility trying to understand the full impact of her decisions. While Ariana has continued to speak on Tom, it appears she has moved on from discussing Raquel. According to the legal documents, Raquel “was humiliated and villainized for public consumption, remains a shell of her former self, with her career prospects stunted and her reputation in tatters.”

Will Raquel's Lawsuit Be Successful?

Raquel has expressed concerns not only about Tom and Ariana but also about the rest of the Vanderpump Rules cast and crew. She felt deceived by Bravo and Evolution, believing she was not allowed to speak out about her mistreatment. This made her suffer in silence while the show gained international acclaim for its handling of sensitive issues.

Raquel’s lawsuit against Scandoval has caused a stir among the Vanderpump Rules cast. Even though it's too early to determine the outcome, Raquel has finally spoken out about feeling mistreated and lacking compassion. Despite her past mistakes, she has faced harsh treatment and may be vindicated for standing up for herself.

Vanderpump Rules airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST on Bravo, then streams the following day on Peacock.

Source: Deadline

Editor's P/S:

The article on Raquel Leviss's lawsuit against Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix sheds light on the devastating impact of the "Scandoval" affair on her