All About the Vanderpump Rules Cheating Drama Involving Tom Sandoval, Ariana Madix and Raquel Leviss
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Vanderpump Rules star Tom Sandoval has been making headlines following accusations he cheated on his longtime girlfriend Ariana Madix with their costar Raquel Leviss.
While news of the TomTom restaurant co-owner's affair with Leviss broke on March 3, sources told PEOPLE that the affair had been going on for six months, leaving Madix "blindsided" and "devastated" by the revelation.
The scandal has sparked reactions from other stars of the Bravo series, including Leviss's ex- fiancé James Kennedy, Lala Kent and Scheana Shay. Bravo boss Andy Cohen also chimed in during an episode of his SiriusXM radio show on March 6.
Not only did he confirm that the Vanderpump Rules reunion show would be filming less than two weeks after the news broke, he also teased the drama that is expected to unfold, saying, "This is a reunion that's going to be… I'm girding my loins."
RELATED: Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix's Relationship Timeline
As the cheating scandal continues to make headlines, Vanderpump Rules is currently airing new episodes — which Cohen said will be viewed very differently now that fans know the affair was happening behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, Sandoval and Leviss have respectively issued statements acknowledging the allegations within the week the cheating news broke. Both have opened up on the months-long affair and have apologized.
Here's everything to know about the Vanderpump Rules cheating drama, including the status of Sandoval and Madix's relationship.
Tommy Garcia/Bravo (3) Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss
Who are Tom Sandoval, Ariana Madix and Raquel Leviss?
Sandoval has been a cast member on Vanderpump Rules since the show premiered on Bravo in January 2013. He went from bartender at SUR to co-owner of TomTom, which he operates with Ken Todd, Lisa Vanderpump and Tom Schwartz. He's also involved in a men's cosmetics venture, acts and is the lead singer of Tom Sandoval & the Most Extras.
Madix has been a cast member on Vanderpump Rules since season 2 premiered in November 2013. Prior to joining, she worked as a bartender at Vanderpump's Beverly Hills restaurant Villa Blanca before she was transferred to SUR. There, she became co-workers and castmates with the Vanderpump Rules crew. Outside of the reality show, she holds several film acting credits to her name.
Leviss first appeared on Vanderpump Rules when Kennedy introduced her as his girlfriend during a season 5 episode in November 2016. The two revealed they got engaged as filming for season 9 began in May 2021. However, two months after their proposal aired in October 2021, they announced they had split.
When did Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix start dating?
Robin L Marshall/Getty Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix
While it's unclear exactly when Sandoval and Madix first met during their time serving drinks at Villa Blanca, viewers first saw them connect when she joined the season 2 cast of Vanderpump Rules during the summer of 2013.
The pair later confirmed their relationship at the Vanderpump Rules season 2 reunion in 2014. Earlier in the season, Sandoval's then-girlfriend Kristen Doute accused him of cheating on her with Madix, which both Sandoval and Madix denied — though they did eventually acknowledge they'd shared a kiss.
Did Tom Sandoval cheat on Ariana Madix?
Amanda Edwards/Getty; Emma McIntyre/WireImage; Charles Sykes/Bravo/Getty Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss
A source told PEOPLE that Madix found out about Sandoval's affair with Leviss in early March 2023. "They had been having problems for a while, but this was the final straw for Ariana," the insider said. "She put up with a lot over the years, but she won't sit back and be disrespected this way."
"This has been going on for upwards of six months — all the while, Tom was sleeping next to Ariana in bed," one insider told PEOPLE. "She was completely blindsided by this; devastated doesn't even scratch the surface of how she feels."
"This is someone she thought she knew; someone she planned to spend the rest of her life with. You can't even put into words that betrayal," the source added.
Meanwhile, eagle-eyed fans have pointed out on TikTok that Sandoval and Leviss have been wearing matching lightning bolt necklaces lately. Leviss was pictured sporting the chain at BravoCon in October 2022, while Sandoval was seen wearing the necklace at the House of Barrie opening in October 2022 — and most recently at the Vanderpump Rules season 10 premiere on Feb. 7.
RELATED: Tom Sandoval Says He 'Deserves Your Anger and Disappointment' After Cheating Scandal: 'Sorry'
How did Ariana Madix find out about Tom Sandoval's affair with Raquel Leviss?
Sources tell PEOPLE that Madix first learned of the affair on March 1 when she supported Sandoval and his band during a performance in Los Angeles. According to the source, Madix discovered a video that was sexual in nature between Leviss and Sandoval on his phone as well as a "history of inappropriate texts."
"Ariana had been there for Raquel when she went through her split with James [Kennedy]. She thought they were friends," a second source told PEOPLE. "This isn't something you do to a friend."
RELATED: How Ariana Madix Learned Tom Sandoval Was Cheating on Her with Vanderpump Rules Costar Raquel Leviss
Did Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix break up?
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix
On March 3, PEOPLE confirmed that Sandoval and Madix broke up after nine years together. According to a source, Sandoval's alleged affair with Leviss led to the split.
"They had been having problems for a while, but this was the final straw for Ariana," the insider said. "She put up with a lot over the years, but she won't sit back and be disrespected this way."
Despite their split, Sandoval has yet to move out of his and Madix's home. Photographs were captured of the Vanderpump Rules star loading up his car before heading to a concert his band Tom Sandoval & the Most Extras played later that night in Anaheim, California.
Sandoval and Leviss have not yet responded to the allegations. (TMZ was the first to report the news.)
Has Tom Sandoval publicly commented on the cheating allegations?
On March 4, Sandoval broke his silence on the cheating scandal. He shared a statement on Instagram about his split from Madix, asking fans to direct their anger away from his loved ones, including castmate, friend and business partner Schwartz.
"Hey, I fully understand and deserve ur anger and disappointment towards me, but please leave Schwartz my friends and family out of this situation…," Sandoval wrote, noting that Schwartz "specifically only found out about this very recently, and most definitely did not condone my actions."
"This was a very personal thing," Sandoval stated.
He also asked fans to ease up on the negative comments being blasted on his bar and cocktail lounges, TomTom and Schwartz & Sandy's.
"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 said. "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 went on to apologize to his partners and his employees who "have to suffer for my actions," adding that he will be removing himself temporarily from the businesses.
"I will be taking a step back & taking a hiatus out of respect for my employees & partners," he said. "I need some time to address everything else." He signed the note: "Sorry for everything."
RELATED: Tom Sandoval's Ex Kristen Doute in 'Conversation' with Ariana Madix to Hash Out VPR Drama on Camera
Has Tom Sandoval apologized to Ariana Madix?
Less than a week after Madix learned of her then-boyfriend's affair with Leviss, Sandoval issued an apology to her via Instagram. He addressed the end of their nine-year long relationship in a statement.
"I want to first and foremost apologize to everyone I've hurt through this process," he began. "Most of all, I want to apologize to Ariana. 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 continued: "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."
Sandoval went on to reflect on his long relationship with Madix. "My love for Ariana was stronger than any camera could ever have captured," he said. "Some of our best times together were never filmed. The same goes for some of our biggest struggles. I wish things happened in a different order and our relationship was not severely tarnished, and that it ended with the same respect for her that it began with. I owed Ariana better."
"I am beyond sad that it ended the way it did," his statement concluded. "The choices I made hurt so many people. I acted in a way that clashes with who and how I want to be. I will continue to reflect and work on myself. I have work to do. I always have, and I always will."
Has Raquel Leviss commented on the cheating allegations?
In a statement issued to Entertainment Tonight on March 8, Leviss addressed the months-long affair with Sandoval for the first time. She began with an apology.
"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," said Leviss. "There is no excuse, I am not a victim and I must own my actions and I deeply regret hurting Ariana."
"I am reflecting on my choices, speaking to a counselor and I am learning things about myself such as my patterns of codependency and addiction to being and feeling loved," she continued. "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."
Leviss said she is "taking steps to understand my behavior and make healthier choices."
RELATED: Raquel Leviss Breaks Silence on Tom Sandoval Affair: 'I Am Not a Victim'
"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," she 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."
Added Leviss, "Right now I must focus on my own health and well-being and as I strive to be a better person moving forward, I will prioritize my mental health and learn from my mistakes."
Are Raquel Leviss and Tom Sandoval officially dating?
On March 8, Leviss explained to PEOPLE the status of her relationship with Sandoval one week after their alleged months-long affair was made public. Amid the fallout, Leviss said that she doesn't "want to label anything" with her Vanderpump Rules costar.
"Besides the indefensible circumstances surrounding our relationship, my feelings for Tom have always been sincere and born out of a loving friendship," she told PEOPLE exclusively. "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 continued. "I care for Tom and I don't want to label anything or predict what lies ahead. Right now I need to heal."
Will the cheating scandal be featured on Vanderpump Rules season 10?
Amanda Edwards/Getty
Season 10 will likely include the affair as an insider shared with PEOPLE on March 3 that "cameras are rolling right now." A production source also shared that Bravo and production company Evolution began filming again to follow the fallout of the cheating scandal.
That same day, costar Kennedy (who was engaged to Leviss) posted a screenshot of the first article about the cheating scandal, commenting, "Hope you all feel as sick as I do. This explains everything."
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Vanderpump Rules airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET on Bravo.
