Raquel Leviss Reacts to Tom Sandoval Saying He's Still in Love
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Originally appeared on E! Online
Rachel "Raquel" Leviss is not pumped about Tom Sandoval's latest declaration of love.
During Vanderpump Rules' Feb. 6 episode, the TomTom co-owner admitted he's "still very much in love" with Leviss in the aftermath of their shocking affair that ended his nine-year relationship with Ariana Madix. In response, the former beauty queen recently compared Sandoval's "love-bombing" during their secret relationship to tactics used by cults to attract new members.
"It's interesting that you say that its origin is from cults and religious institutions because people joining churches or cults are trying to find a place of belonging, of acceptance," Leviss shared during a conversation with relationship expert Calvin Roberson during the Feb. 9 episode of her Rachel Goes Rogue podcast. "Gradually, over time, it becomes a control tactic. It's almost like that phrase ‘a frog in boiling water' where it won't jump out of boiling water even though it's going to kill them because it's so gradual."
What Sandoval called love, Leviss called "coercive control" as he made himself "the most important person" in her life while filming season 10 of the Bravo series.
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"I feel like it's a similar manipulation tactic," the 29-year-old explained. "At first, you just think this person is so in love with you, they adore you and they're giving you all this attention."
"Before you know it," she added, "you're so emotionally attached to this person that you can't leave."
Leviss also detailed her pattern of falling for narcissistic men, as she noted, like her ex-fiancé James Kennedy.
"I fell in love with one narcissistic a--hole, and after that relationship ended after five years of being in that relationship, I fell into the hands of another narcissistic a--hole," she said. "I feel like I maybe missed out on some precious time learning these lessons the hard way."
Ultimately, she admitted, "I stayed in unhealthy relationships for far too long."
As for what she believes she had with Sandoval? Leviss stated, "Our connection was not love."
Leviss' latest harsh comments of her former lover come nearly two weeks after she suggested Sandoval orchestrated their months-long affair to boost VPR's ratings.
"The thought has crossed my mind, like, 'Did Tom mastermind this?'" she wondered on the Jan. 29 episode of Rachel Goes Rogue. "He is known to self-produce, and all he has is this show, and the success of this show equals longevity in his career. He's over 40 now, and this is his life. This is his main income."
Keep reading to get caught up on everything that's happened since the Scandoval controversy blew up the cast's lives.
Vanderpump Rules airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on Bravo.
Ariana Madix & Daniel Wai Are Going Strong
Several days after Vanderpump Rules' explosive reunion concluded June 7, Ariana Madix jetted off to NYC for some early birthday celebrations with her new man Daniel Wai.
The couple, who first sparked romance rumors in April when they were spotted making out at Coachella, attended Governors Ball Music Festival together with friends before heading out to party the night away on June 11.
Madix's costars even gave their stamp of approval on her new boyfriend.
"The way that I witnessed him treat her, I've honestly—not even in the beginning of her relationship with Tom—ever seen her light up the way she does when he gets around her, when she talks about him," Scheana Shay exclusively told E! News in May. "It's been really, really amazing to just see her so happy."
Lala Kent added, "Just the way that she talks about him, her energy is just completely different. I'm so happy for her, because as an outsider, I was watching her and her relationship, just really feeling for her."
Tom Sandoval Defends T-Shirt Sex Comment About Ariana Madix
After receiving criticism from both fans and his castmates for calling out Madix for wearing a T-shirt during sex, Tom Sandoval insisted his words were never intended to be a dig at his ex's physical appearance.
"I've never body-shamed Ariana—ever," he clarified on June 14. "I don't know if that was taken out of context. I think people added their own context to it."
Meanwhile, Sandoval continued to tour the country with his cover band Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras.
Tom Schwartz Distances Himself From Scandoval
On the June 12 episode of Fox's reality show Stars on Mars, Sandoval's BFF Tom Schwartz revealed he wants to distance himself from his business partner's "incredibly messed up" affair.
"It seems each time I try to weigh in or talk about, ramble on about it, drivel on, I inevitably sound like I'm somehow justifying it or making excuses for it, and I'm not," he shared. "Any sort of version of his side of the story has become obsolete because of the way he handled it. Ultimately, that's his life. That is his life. I did not have an affair. I am not him. It's just so strange that I've been absolutely mired in this. It's taken on almost a life of its own. And after this, I'm stepping away from it permanently."
Raquel Leviss Enters Treatment
After revealing she was seeking mental health treatment in early April, Rachel "Raquel" Leviss remains in an undisclosed facility.
"She is a young woman that is and has been remorseful for her actions and has apologized repeatedly," a source close to Leviss told E! earlier this month. "Her treatment is helping her learn the basis of her decisions and to grow from her mistakes with the hope of making better choices and becoming a better person."
Lala Kent Regrets Verbally Attacking Raquel Leviss
One day after the shocking season 10 finale concluded, Lala Kent admitted she regretted going in so hard on Raquel over her affair with Sandoval.
"I felt dirty," Kent told TMZ June 8. "After watching last night when she had finally had the breakdown—just as a human, because for me, it's a reality TV show—I feel like we're all, kind of, playing the same game. But when I watched that, I was like, 'Oh, we're maybe dealing with someone who maybe shouldn't be on this type of platform.'"
Ariana Madix & Katie Maloney to Open New Sandwich Shop
As Bravoholics saw on season 10, Madix and Katie Maloney are opening a new sandwich shop named Something About Her just a few doors down from SUR in West Hollywood.
In several Instagram Stories posted June 12, Maloney gave fans a tour inside the new eatery as she worked on finishing the final touches before it opens this summer. Maloney and Madix have also been selling Something About Her merchandise on their website.
Katie Maloney Debuts a New Look
On June 18, Maloney debuted a new short haircut inspired by "Torn" singer Natalie Imbruglia ahead of filming season 11.
Tom Sandoval's Rumored New Girl
In May, it was rumored Sandoval had moved on after he was photographed with Texas-based influencer Karlee Hale. However, the reality star's rep firmly denied anything romantic was going on.
"They are not dating," his team told E! News in a statement. "She's a friend. He was performing in Austin and stayed a few extra days to enjoy the city."
Ariana Madix Details Her "Lovely" New Relationship
"I'm enjoying myself and I would say I'm very happy right now," Ariana shared of Wai during a May 18 Today interview. "I met him at a wedding about 10 days after all of this. And in no way, shape or form did I go into that thinking anything."
She continued, "I have just been taking things very, very slow and really enjoying myself. And it's just really lovely to interact with someone who is just so nice and kind and lovely and caring."
James Kennedy & Ally Lewber Are Still Together
James Kennedy and girlfriend Ally Lewber are going strong and the DJ continues to host his weekly "See You Next Tuesday" event at SUR.
Scheana Shay & Ariana Madix Throw a First Pitch
Scheana Shay and Madix were honored to throw the first pitch at a San Diego Padres game in June.
"Thank you @padres for making my 7 year old dreams come true last night!" Shay shared on Instagram. "It was always a dream of mine to throw out the first pitch at a professional game when I grew up. Well, we did it!"
Lala Kent Enjoys Family Time
With some free time in between seasons, Kent enjoyed lots of quality time with her 2-year-old daughter Ocean. In mid-June, the mommy-daughter duo got away during a trip to Newport Beach, Calif.
"Made my heart so full watching O play where I used to play at her age," the reality star shared on Instagram. "Newport holds a special place in my heart. My dad would have us set up on this beach at 7 am & we'd stay until the sun went down. Ocean is making him proud. A beach bum just like her Poppy."
Stassi Schroeder Reunites With the Girls
Kent, Maloney and Kristina Kelly reunited with former VPR co-star and longtime BFF Stassi Schroeder for a girls night out in June.
Maloney, the only childless member of the friend group, joked on Instagram, "They talked about heavy flows and leaky tits while I sipped on Pinot Noir. #momfriends."
Brock Davies Cuts His Hair
The biggest transformation since season 10 ended? Shay's husband Broke Davies cut his long hair! The Aussie star debuted a shorter 'do before his birthday in June.
Scheana honored her other half on his special day. "Happy birthday to the husband who makes me happy!" the mom of Summer Moon, 2, wrote on Instagram June 15. "@brock__davies you are the most incredible father and partner to us. I love you so much it literally hurts. Thank you for being you honey. Cheers to many more!"
Ariana Madix Cashes in on Tom Sandoval's Nasty Dig
Madix got the last laugh after her ex made that shocking dig about wearing a shirt during sex. In June, she dropped her own merchandise with "'f--k me in this shirt" written across gray tees.
Madix also made headlines for poking fun at Sandoval's now-infamous white nail polish and making light of the comment he made about Madix never buying batteries in a June Duracell commercial.
Ariana Madix Turns 38
Madix, who turned 38 on June 24, celebrated her first post-Scandoval birthday with Wai, Maloney, Shay and more close friends. The fitness coach even cooked a six-course meal for his lady.
Fourth of July Fun
Madix and Wai celebrated Independence Day 2023 dancing the day away with friends at Santa Monica hot-spot Elephante.
Tom Sandoval Films Season 11
On July 6, Sandoval was spotted filming Vanderpump Rules for the first time since shooting on season 11 started in June.
The TomTom co-owner was all smiles as he dropped off a flower arrangement to Lisa Vanderpump at her now-closed West Hollywood restaurant Pump. Tom, dressed in jeans, a light blue sweater and sunglasses, was photographed arriving with the gift before Lisa left the former hot-spot as cameras rolled on the two.
Ariana Madix Joins <i>Dancing With the Stars</i>
After weeks of rumors, Madix and Dancing With the Stars judge Derek Hough announced on July 7 that she is joining season 32.
"That's right, say 'goodbye' to the drama and 'hello' to the dance floor," Hough said in the video before the two shouted in unison, "Let's dance!"
Where Tom Sandoval & Raquel Leviss Stand Today
While both Sandoval and Leviss confirmed they were still in love during the June 7 reunion episode, he revealed in December that she had cut him out of her life for good.
"We were best friends," Sandoval lamented on the Dec. 7 episode of the Two T's in a Pod podcast. "It's heartbreaking to go through. I was fully in love with her. She's not just some hot girl. I was a model for 15 years, it's deeper than that."
Ariana Madix Joins <i>Love Island USA</i>
On July 11, Peacock announced Madix will make a special guest appearance on season five of the dating competition Love Island USA.
As VPR fans surely remember, Sandoval infamously criticized her for spending hours binging Love Island amid their breakup during season 10. Now, Madix is having the last laugh by entering the villa.
Tom Sandoval & Ariana Madix Film Season 11 Together
On July 11, the exes were both photographed filming season 11 of Vanderpump Rules at SUR, marking the first time the Bravo stars have been spotted at the same place since the explosive VPR season 10 reunion taping in March.
<i>Vanderpump Rules</i> Scores 2023 Emmy Nominations
After SUR-ving up an unforgettable season of television, Vanderpump Rules was nominated for two 2023 Emmy Awards on July 12—one for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program and one for Outstanding Picture Editing for an Unstructured Reality Program.
"I actually did get goosebumps and cried," Lisa Vanderpump exclusively told E! News. "I just thought to actually be at that level, it's so unexpected if you go back 13 years—and I don't take it for granted at all."
Raquel Leviss Checks Out of Treatment Facility
Leviss checked out of a mental health facility in Wickenburg, Arizona after two months, sources told TMZ and Entertainment Tonight July 14. It's unclear if or when she'll reunite with the cast to film season 11 in the wake of her affair scandal.
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