Rachel Leviss sues Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix for revenge porn, invasion of privacy

The "Vanderpump Rules" star is taking her castmates to court in the wake of Scandoval.

The infamous Scandoval saga could be heading to court.

Vanderpump Rules star Rachel Leviss filed a lawsuit against Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix in Los Angeles on Thursday, accusing them of revenge porn, eavesdropping, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

A portmanteau of scandal and Sandoval, Scandoval refers to the bombshell revelation that Sandoval had been cheating on longtime partner Madix with one of her best friends, Leviss. Madix reportedly learned of the infidelity after she discovered a video of Leviss on Sandoval's phone. They announced their separation in March 2023 after nine years together.

The video is referenced in Leviss' complaint (reviewed by EW), where she alleges she's a "victim of the predatory and dishonest behavior of an older man who recorded sexually explicit videos of her without her knowledge or consent, which were then distributed, disseminated, and discussed publicly by a scorned women seeking vengeance, catalyzing the scandal."

While Scandoval "captured the public's attention" and "injected new life into Vanderpump Rules," it "caused mayhem in Leviss’ life, culminating in months-long in-patient treatment at a mental health facility and her departure from the show," the complaint reads. Leviss also alleges she was misled by Bravo and producers Evolution Media into believing she was "contractually barred from speaking out about her mistreatment."

As a result, Leviss alleges she "suffered in silence" and was "subjected to a public skewering" as Bravo and Evolution "watched viewership explode, and the rest of the cast enjoyed unseen levels of public recognition and professional opportunity.”

Reps for Sandoval, Madix, and Bravo didn't immediately respond to EW's request for comment on the filing.

In a statement to EW, Leviss' attorney Bryan Freedman said, "I’m outraged that NBC and Bravo have used illegal NDAs as cudgels to profit off their employees. The idea that human beings are expected to sacrifice their mental and emotional health in service of Bravo’s ratings is obscene. . . Hundreds of reality TV participants have reached out to Mark Geragos and myself, and we are committed to ensuring that they have zealous advocates to confront the damage these employers have wreaked on their lives."

Geragos added, “This lawsuit is squarely about illegal behavior and those who traffic in it and enable it. Rachel has apologized for her part in an affair. That’s not a crime. Tom and Ariana are alleged here to have engaged in criminal acts. . . the law makes it clear that recording someone without their consent and distributing that illegal recording is punishable by law."

Both Sandoval and Madix returned for the show's current 11th season, while Leviss has been absent.

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Related content:

• Rachel Leviss signals Vanderpump Rules exit, says Bravo is 'running to the bank' with Scandoval

• Another thing Scandoval did? Land Vanderpump Rules its first Emmy nominations

• Post-Scandoval success, Bravo orders Vanderpump Rules spin-off featuring old cast members

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.