Vanderpump Rules fans are still reeling from the news that Tom Sandoval has been cheating on Ariana Madix with co-star Raquel Leviss and seeing as new reports are published seemingly by the minute, we thought we’d recap the events of Scandoval up until now.
Wednesday, March 1 — Tom Sandoval’s band performs, with Ariana in attendance.
Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras perform, with Ariana in the audience. This is the same night as the Watch What Happens Live taping and the night when Ariana found out about the affair.
Wednesday, March 1 — Raquel and Scheana appear on Watch What Happens Live.
Raquel and Scheana appeared on WWHL where Raquel shocked both Andy Cohen and her co-star by choosing Tom Sandoval as the more attractive Tom. The revelation has been closely rewatched following the news that the two were having an affair behind Ariana’s back.
Depending on what sources you believe, Raquel and Scheana had an altercation following the taping which has seemingly resulted in Raquel filing an order of protection against her former friend.
Thursday, March 2 — Tom and Raquel’s affair is revealed.
Sources initially told TMZ that Ariana found out about the alleged cheating just days ago, dumping Sandoval shortly afterwards. (We now know she found out at Tom’s performance on March 1). The report indicates that production found out about the situation early on and picked up shooting on Vanderpump Rules in order to include the drama in Season 10.
According to another report, Tom and Ariana had not been on good terms prior to the affair reveal but Ariana is reportedly “blindsided” by her former partner’s behaviour. “Ariana was blindsided by the cheating,” insiders told Page Six, adding that she had “no idea there were any issues” in their relationship.
Friday, March 3 — Tom and Raquel allegedly had a “7 month” affair.
Sources told Page Six in a shocking report that Raquel and Sandoval’s romance allegedly “began last summer” and that Raquel “has slept over Tom and Ariana’s house when Ariana’s been out of town.” As the gossip outlet points out, this is pretty much what James Kennedy confirmed to Deuxmoi in a DM shared on March 3 when he revealed that the two have been dating for “7 months,” which would line up with July 2022.
As fans of Vanderpump Rules are well aware, the build up to Raquel hooking up with Tom Schwartz is playing out on the current episodes, with their dalliance taking place in August 2022. The following month, Raquel Leviss made out with Oliver Saunders, the son of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Garcelle Beauvais, and while Saunders reportedly told Raquel he was single, his estranged wife later took to social media to share her fury at their hookup. (This is expected to play out on the March 8th episode.)
While the report makes it clear that Raquel and Sandoval started hooking up prior to her making out with Schwartz, no details on the extent of their relationship at the time have been revealed. Back in April 2022, rumours surfaced that Raquel and Schwartz made out at Coachella but with this recent news, fans are taking a second look at a photo she shared with Tom Sandoval during the music festival.
Friday, March 3 — Tom and Ariana film their first post-breakup scene for Vanderpump Rules.
Insiders tell Page Six that not only have Ariana and Sandoval filmed their first conversation since she discovered he was cheating with Raquel on Friday, March 3 but Tom is reportedly refusing to take accountability for stepping out on his partner of almost a decade.
“Ariana walked away from the conversation feeling like she was gaslit by Tom,” sources tell the gossip outlet about their filmed sit-down. “He gave her several excuses as to why he never copped to cheating.”
According to the insiders, “Tom said he didn’t tell her about the affair with Raquel because he was worried about how it would impact her mental health, even claiming that he was especially concerned after her grandma died last year.” (Madix’s grandmother passed away in September 2022.)
In addition to blaming his refusal to be an adult on Ariana’s mental health, Sandoval reportedly relied on the fact that the two own a home together as another reason to delay their eventual split. “The fact that they own a home together was also brought up,” explains another source, adding that Tom believed the house made their breakup “even more complicated.”
Saturday, March 4 — Tom leaves Ariana out of his first public statement.
Sandoval took to Instagram over the weekend with a prepared statement about the cheating drama but instead of apologizing to his longtime love Ariana, the troubled reality star completely ignored her while asking fans to be respectful of Tom Schwartz and their joint venture, Schwartz and Sandy’s.
“I fully understand and deserve [your] anger & disappointment towards me, but please leave Schwartz, my friends and family out of this situation…,” he posted. “Schwartz specifically only found out about this very recently, and most definitely did not condone my actions. This was a very personal thing.”
He continued, “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. Just like TomTom, I’m a small part of a much bigger thing. Please direct your anger towards me and not them. They did nothing wrong. I’m so sorry that my partners Greg, Brett, and Schwartz and our employees have to suffer for my actions.”
Tom revealed that he will be stepping back from the business (but presumably will not stop filming Vanderpump Rules) as the backlash continues. “I will be taking a step back & taking a hiatus out of respect for my employees & partners,” he added. “I need some time to address everything else. Sorry for everything.”
Monday, March 6 — Bravo officially confirms that filming on Season 10 has resumed.
Days after TMZ first reported that Bravo had again entered production on Vanderpump Rules, hoping to include some of the cheating drama in Season 10, the network has confirmed that is in fact what is happening.
“We have resumed filming on #PumpRules and this story will be unfolding on camera,” the network posted to their official Twitter alongside a photo of James Kennedy sitting down for what is a highly-anticipated confessional interview for Vanderpump Rules Season 10.
Monday, March 6 — Former cast members reportedly being asked back for filming.
Producers have reportedly approached ex-cast member Kristen Doute about filming for Season 10 in support of Ariana Madix amid the shocking news that Tom Sandoval allegedly cheated on her with co-star Raquel Leviss. According to a new report from People, producers have approached Kristen with the understanding that she would have to get Ariana’s permission in order to return for the new season and that she would do so only in a supportive role.
“Vanderpump Rules producers have approached Kristen to come back on the show to talk about this,” show insiders tell the magazine. “She’s had her fair share of ups and downs with Sandoval over the years, but right now she’s completely supporting Ariana.”
The source continues, “Kristen has put the show behind her, but she’s considering it. It’ll depend if Ariana wants her to do it and is comfortable as that’s the only way she would ever go back on the show. It’s a conversation she and Ariana are having right now. The girls have all been spending time with Ariana.” People reached out to Bravo for comment but the network had not yet responded.
Jax Taylor is reportedly set to appear on Watch What Happens Live alongside Lisa Vanderpump tonight, Wednesday, March 8.
Tuesday, March 7 — Raquel files for an order of protection against Scheana.
Page Six has confirmed that Raquel filed the paperwork for an order of protection against Scheana on Tuesday, March 7 but it is unclear whether a judge has actually signed off on the order of protection. The outlet has reached out to reps for both Raquel and Scheana but has yet to hear back with a statement.
The news of an order of protection comes after the two reportedly got into a “heated confrontation” following their appearance on Watch What Happens Live back on March 1.
According to reports, this is when Scheana found out that Raquel had been having an affair with Tom Sandoval behind Ariana Madix’s back.
Tuesday, March 7 — Tom finally shares a public apology to Ariana.
Tom Sandoval has finally posted a public apology to Ariana Madix after cheating on her with Vanderpump Rules co-star Raquel Leviss, just days after he got ripped to shreds for leaving Ariana out of his initial statement.
“I want to first and foremost apologize to everyone I’ve hurt through this process,” he posted to Instagram late on Tuesday, March 7. “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.
“I can only imagine how devastating this has been for Ariana and everyone around us,” he continued. “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.”
“My love for Ariana was stronger than any camera could ever have captured. 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,” he explained.
“I am beyond sad that it ended the way it did,” he continued. “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.”
Wednesday, March 7 — Raquel releases a statement and says she is receiving death threats.
“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. There is no excuse, I am not a victim and I must own my actions and I deeply regret hurting Ariana,” Raquel Leviss says in an official statement released to Entertainment Tonight.
“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 continues. “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.”
“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 explains of the backlash to the affair revelation. “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. 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.”
Wednesday, March 8 — The restraining order is granted.
Raquel Leviss has been granted a temporary restraining order against Scheana Shay according to TMZ. Scheana has been ordered to stay 100 yards away from Raquel but there’s no news what impact this will have on filming or the upcoming reunion.
This is a developing story and we’ll keep you posted.
Vanderpump Rules airs Wednesdays on Bravo.
