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Vanderpump Rules, Bravo's reality show about Lisa Vanderpump's West Hollywood restaurant staff, featured Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix as one of its central couples since 2014. Sandoval, an original cast member and restaurant owner, and Madix, a longtime bartender turned author, maintained a steady relationship while building their shared life in Valley Village, Los Angeles.
Their nine-year relationship ended after Madix discovered an intimate FaceTime video between Sandoval and their co-star Rachel "Raquel" Leviss on his phone during his band performance at TomTom on March 1, 2023. This revelation, dubbed "Scandoval" by fans, exposed a months-long affair.
Tom Schwartz, Sandoval's best friend, business partner, and fellow cast member, later revealed that he had known about the affair since August 2022. The scandal's aftermath led to extensive coverage through season 10's finale, a three-part reunion special, and resulted in two lawsuits in 2024 - Madix's property dispute filing and Leviss's legal action over video distribution.
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Ariana Madix found Sandoval-Leviss video on March 1, starting Vanderpump Rules Scandoval
On March 1, 2023, while Sandoval performed with his band in Los Angeles, Madix accessed his phone and found the recorded video chat. She immediately contacted Leviss, who was in New York for a Watch What Happens Live appearance with Scheana Shay.
The confrontation escalated from phone calls to an in-person clash between Shay and Leviss near a Manhattan bar. Within two days, Katie Maloney, Lala Kent, and James Kennedy unfollowed Sandoval and Leviss on social media, sharing messages supporting Madix.
As per the show’s executive producer, Alex Baskin, the production team mobilized camera crews, borrowing staff from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills to document the immediate aftermath.
As per Today.com, Vanderpump Rules star Sandoval attempted damage control through Instagram on March 4. His apology read,
"Hey, I fully understand and deserve ur anger & disappointment towards me, but please leave Schwartz my friends and family out of this situation...Schwartz specifically only found out about this very recently, and most definitely did not condone my actions. This was a very personal thing.”
Four days later, he released a longer statement accepting responsibility for hurting Madix. Leviss followed with her own public acknowledgment on March 8, expressing regret for her actions.
Relationship timeline revelations
Legal filings and footage outlined the affair’s timeline starting in August 2022. Leviss and Sandoval secretly met throughout the summer, including at Sandoval’s home while Madix was away. In December, cast members began noticing changes in their behavior.
By January 2023, all parties publicly denied the affair, with Madix addressing rumors on social media and Sandoval and Leviss insisting they were just friends. February marked the final month of secrecy, with hidden communications and visits later revealed through phone records and witness accounts.
Vanderpump Rules season 10 reunion
The March 23, 2023, reunion brought direct confrontations between cast members. Madix arrived in a red revenge dress, while Leviss filmed separately from the main group due to legal restrictions. Andy Cohen mediated heated exchanges as cast members questioned Sandoval's timeline of events.
During one-on-one segments, Leviss revealed her changing feelings toward Sandoval, which started after a group vacation, stating,
"He made me feel heard and seen, and those were feelings that I haven’t really felt, maybe ever."
She admitted to lying about the relationship's extent when first questioned.
“She never pressed about it, she never confronted me about it. From what I know, what Tom has told me, she didn’t question him too much about it (and) just believed at face value what he would tell her,” she said.
Kennedy and Kent led aggressive questioning sessions. Schwartz confirmed his knowledge of the affair since August 2022, marking a shift from earlier denials. The final filming revealed previously hidden details about meetings at Sandoval's house while Madix attended a family funeral.
In August 2023, Ariana Madix confirmed she will not return to reality tv again on Just B with Bethenny Frankel podcast. She stated,
"I refuse to not respect myself on that level where I would endure that emotional abuse any longer"
Legal and current developments
January 2024 brought new legal battles as Vanderpump Rules star Madix filed court documents requesting a forced sale of her shared home with Sandoval. The filing cited ongoing conflicts affecting property management. Their living arrangement remained strained with both parties occupying different areas of the house.
February 2024 escalated tensions when Leviss filed a lawsuit targeting both Madix and Sandoval. As per Today.com, Her legal team alleged unauthorized recording of private video calls and subsequent distribution of content. The lawsuit detailed specific dates of recorded conversations without consent.
The case documents provided fresh information about the affair's beginnings. Leviss's legal team presented evidence of meetings starting August 2022, with detailed accounts of private conversations and shared time at various locations.
Season 11 premiered amid these developments. Madix and Sandoval maintained minimal contact despite sharing living space.
Vanderpump Rules season 12 is coming back with an entire new cast.
