More than three years after Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules” was rocked by Tom Sandoval’s affair with Rachel (Raquel) Leviss, ending his nearly decade-long relationship with Ariana Madix, the scandal remains as one of the most talked-about moments in reality TV history.
After the scandal, Leviss checked herself into a mental health facility and did not return to season 11 of VPR. Instead, she chose to step away from reality TV altogether, relocated to Arizona, and focused on a career as a sound bath practitioner.
In a new interview with Elle, Leviss is breaking her silence on Scandoval, her status with her former cast, and if she has plans to return to reality TV.
Rachel Leviss Reflects on Scandoval Fallout That Rocked Reality TV in 2023
GettyRachel Leviss is opening up about the scandal involving her and Tom Sandoval that rocked reality TV more than three years ago. Speaking to Elle, Leviss candidly reflected on being identified as a “love addict,” which she says helped explain the actions and emotional patterns that ultimately led to the affair.
“That need for validation goes hand in hand with love addiction,” she told the outlet. “This person of interest is validating you and telling you you’re worthy. I realized I needed to validate myself from within, and I needed to find my relationship with God, with the higher power, because that is ultimately who I should be looking to for guidance, instead of another human being.”
Leviss moved her life from Los Angeles to Arizona, where she now leads sound baths both in person and virtually.
When she spoke to People about the move in August 2025, Leviss said, “I think the biggest is not living in L.A. anymore [and] not drinking anymore. That’s more of a promise to myself. I committed to a year of not drinking alcohol and I accomplished that and I’m just continuing going this route because I realized that I don’t need alcohol. Also surrounding myself with positive people. Those are the real life-changing lifestyle choices that I’ve made.”
In her interview with Elle, Leviss noted that she no longer speaks to anyone from “Vanderpump Rules,” having unfollowed them on social media after she checked herself into a facility for three months following the affair. She first appeared on the series in season 5 as James Kennedy’s girlfriend and stayed on until season 10.
Leviss Shares Whether She Would Return to Reality TV
GettyLeviss seems happy away from the cameras for now and living a more private life in Arizona with her boyfriend, Jason Boucher. The two met at a Fourth of July party in 2024 and have been going strong ever since.
When asked by Elle whether she would ever see herself making a reality TV comeback, Leviss said she wasn’t opposed to it, but would not star on a show like VPR. Instead, she could see herself on a reality TV competition show.
“I wouldn’t be in integrity with who I really am,” she shared. “I know the name of the game now, and I know how to play. But that didn’t feel like the healthy option,” she added.
In fact, she was approached to do “Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test” during the same season Sandoval was a contestant. She declined the invitation.
