Talking the talk? After Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss’ affair was exposed, their Vanderpump Rules costars have spoken at length about the drama.
Us Weekly confirmed in March 2023 that Sandoval and Ariana Madix called it quits after nine years together due to his infidelity. Immediately after the news broke, Madix’s present fand former castmates — including Katie Maloney, Kristen Doute, Scheana Shay and more — surrounded her with love and support while simultaneously slamming Leviss and Sandoval.
The Schwartz & Sandy’s co-owner, for his part, broke his silence via Instagram shortly after the affair made headlines, sharing a statement regarding the backlash toward his businesses with costar Tom Schwartz. (Schwartz, for his part, hooked up with Leviss at Shay and Brock Davies’ wedding in August 2022 amid his divorce from Maloney.)
Fans — and several Bravo personalities — were upset with Sandoval’s initial response. He issued a lengthy public apology to Madix days later.
“I want to first and foremost apologize to everyone I’ve hurt through this process. Most of all, I want to apologize to Ariana,” he wrote in an Instagram statement. “I made mistakes, I was selfish and made reckless decisions that hurt somebody I love. No one deserves to feel that pain so traumatically and publicly.”
Leviss, for her part, addressed the scandal for the first time via Instagram as production picked back up on season 10 of the reality series.
“I want to apologize for my actions and my choices foremost to Ariana, and to my friends and the fans so invested in our relationships,” she noted in March 2023. “There is no excuse, I am not a victim and I must own my actions and I deeply regret hurting Ariana. … I have sought emotional validation through intimate connections that are not healthy without regard for my own well-being, sometimes negatively affecting others and often prioritizing the intimate connection over my friendships. I am taking steps to understand my behavior and make healthier choices.”
Leviss later revealed her current status with Sandoval. “I care for Tom and I don’t want to label anything or predict what lies ahead,” she explained. “Right now I need to heal.”
Amid the drama, a source exclusively told Us that Sandoval and the former beauty pageant contestant were “the real deal,” adding that the pair’s romance wasn’t “a regrettable fling or one-night stand.” Instead, the insider said, “They have confided to pals that it’s love and they have fallen hard for each other.”
Madix, for her part, thanked her “friends, family and people [she’s] never even met” for “the outpouring of love and support i have received.
“When i have felt like i couldn’t even stand, you all have given me the strength to continue and seen me through my darkest hours. to say i have been devastated and broken is an understatement. however, i know that i am not in this alone,” she added. “So many of my closest friends are also grieving this loss right now and reeling from this betrayal on so many levels. i am so f–king lucky to have the best support system in the world and i hope i can repay every single person for the love you have shown me. what doesn’t kill me better run. love, ariana.”
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Keep scrolling for everything Sandoval and Leviss have said about their relationship:
“Hey, I fully understand an 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,” Sandoval wrote via Instagram in March 2023 , as fans began to flood sites with negative reviews of Schwartz & Sandy’s and TomTom due to his and Leviss’ affair. “Also, Schwartz & Sandy’s might have my name on it, but also there are 3 other partners and 20 employees, who especially rely on the restaurant for income for them and their families,” he continued. “Just like TomTom, I’m a small part of a much bigger thing. Please direct ur anger towards me and not them. They did nothing wrong.” Sandoval concluded: “I’m so sorry that my partners, Greg, Brett, and Schwartz and our employees have to suffer for my actions. I will be taking a step back & taking a hiatus out of respect for my employees & partners.” Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
The musician was slammed for only commenting about the negative impact the drama had on his restaurants before he issued an apology specifically to Madix. “I want to first and foremost apologize to everyone I’ve hurt through this process. Most of all, I want to apologize to Ariana,” he wrote via Instagram in March 2023. “I made mistakes, I was selfish and made reckless decisions that hurt somebody I love. No one deserves to feel that pain so traumatically and publicly.” He added: “I can only imagine how devastating this has been for Ariana and everyone around us. I feel really horrible about that. My biggest regret is that I dishonored Ariana. I never meant to disappoint so many people, including our loving families and friends.” Christopher Polk/Shutterstock
Leviss broke her silence on the scandal in a lengthy statement shared via Instagram. “I want to apologize for my actions and my choices foremost to Ariana, and to my friends and the fans so invested in our relationships,” she wrote as the drama escalated. “There is no excuse, I am not a victim and I must own my actions and I deeply regret hurting Ariana. … I have sought emotional validation through intimate connections that are not healthy without regard for my own well-being, sometimes negatively affecting others and often prioritizing the intimate connection over my friendships. I am taking steps to understand my behavior and make healthier choices.” She also claimed that she was physically assaulted by Shay after finding out about the affair. (Leviss was granted a temporary restraining order against Shay, whose lawyer vehemently denied the allegations in a statement to Us.) “Although I chose to be on a reality show accepting the good and bad that comes with it, beyond my own actions I have been physically assaulted, lost friendships, received death threats and hate emails in addition to having had my privacy violated,” Leviss continued. “I have begun counseling to end my unhealthy behavioral cycle, learn to set stronger emotional boundaries and learn to protect my mental health. I don’t expect sympathy, understanding or forgiveness.” Broadimage/Shutterstock
Leviss clarified where she stood with Sandoval as the duo continued to spark controversy. “Besides the indefensible circumstances surrounding our relationship, my feelings for Tom have always been sincere and born out of a loving friendship,” she wrote via Instagram in March 2023. “Knowing how many people we hurt, I need to understand my choices and learn to make better ones. I need to take care of my health, work on self growth and take time to be OK with being alone.” She added: “I care for Tom and I don’t want to label anything or predict what lies ahead. Right now I need to heal.” Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock; Lisa O'Connor/Shutterstock
After Leviss’ discussed her relationship with Sandoval via social media, the TomTom co-owner acknowledged the March 2023 post — and seemed to approve it — by “liking” the statement. MediaPunch/Shutterstock
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