After Rachel Leviss’ affair with Tom Sandoval decimated their friend group on Vanderpump Rules, Rachel entered a facility for mental health treatment. She chose not to return to the show, and instead focused on her podcast, Rachel Goes Rogue. But she was still part of the Pump Rules storyline on Season 11 as the cast members reacted to her podcast. But now, Rachel is sharing her good wishes for her former friend, Ariana Madix. Sandoval had been dating Ariana for nearly a decade when he started his affair with Rachel. Then Rachel slapped Ariana and Sandoval with a revenge porn lawsuit. What are friends for, right?
Can Rachel Leviss wish Ariana Madix well while suing her?
Rachel filed a lawsuit in February 2024, accusing Sandoval and Ariana of invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, eavesdropping, and revenge porn. Sandoval allegedly recorded Rachel without her knowledge or consent. Meanwhile, Ariana learned of the affair by finding the sexual content on Sandoval’s phone. While Rachel alleged that Ariana shared the video with others, Ariana denied those claims.
Now Rachel is giving an update on her life these days. “The dark times were so dark, and it felt like there wasn’t a way out for the longest time,” Rachel told US Weekly. “I [decided] I need[ed] to start making better decisions. It took time to integrate everything that I learned into my real life, but I feel like I’m finally now able to start living for me.”
Rachel is currently residing in Arizona and has stopped drinking alcohol. And she has surrounded herself with new friends. But that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t miss her former Pump Rules co-stars. “Of course, I miss those friendships. I haven’t heard from anyone. I think the most heartbreaking part of all of it was feeling betrayed by my friends,” Rachel said. “But in my darkest times, I just thought that these were my true friends and they would love me no matter what and would want to hear me out.” That was a tall ask at the time.
So, would Rachel ever check in with Ariana? That would be a nope. “I think we’re both moving on in our lives and I wish her continued success,” Rachel stated.
As for Ariana? She recently filed an appeal in the case after a judge ruled that Ariana couldn’t be dismissed from Rachel’s lawsuit. Ariana’s lawyers are asking that a higher court overturn the previous decision.
Vanderpump Rules is streaming on Peacock.