Scandoval refers to the March 2023 revelation that Vanderpump Rules star Tom Sandoval had a months-long affair with castmate Raquel Leviss while in a 9-year relationship with Ariana Madix.
The Affair
Ariana discovered the affair on March 1, 2023, by finding explicit videos between Sandoval and Raquel on his phone. The betrayal was compounded by Raquel being Ariana’s close friend and the affair occurring during Ariana’s grandmother’s funeral and health scare.
Cultural Phenomenon
Scandoval became the biggest reality TV scandal in years, trending #1 on Twitter for days and dominating pop culture March-May 2023. The timing coincided with Season 10 filming wrapping, allowing Bravo to capture real immediate fallout.
Sandoval’s Response
Tom Sandoval’s apology video became a meme for its defensive tone and selfie-video format. His subsequent interviews (including comparing himself to George Floyd and O.J. Simpson) created ongoing PR disasters. “Sandoval” became synonymous with terrible apologies and narcissistic deflection.
Raquel/Rachel Leviss
Raquel entered mental health treatment post-scandal, then rebranded as “Rachel” and left Vanderpump Rules. She later launched a podcast detailing alleged manipulation and power imbalances, claiming she was “love-bombed” by Sandoval.
Ariana’s Redemption
Ariana Madix became America’s sweetheart overnight, landing Dancing with the Stars (3rd place), Love Island USA hosting gig, Chicago Broadway run, and skincare partnerships. Her “living my best life” revenge tour earned widespread support.
Cultural Impact
Scandoval revitalized Vanderpump Rules (Season 10 became highest-rated ever) and reignited discourse around friendship betrayal, emotional affairs, and narcissistic apology tactics. The scandal demonstrated reality TV’s continued cultural relevance in streaming era.
Watch What Happens Live dedicated multiple emergency episodes to the scandal, with Andy Cohen calling it “the biggest bombshell in Bravo history.”
Memes & Catchphrases
- “He’s not worth it” - Scheana Shay restraining Katie from confronting Sandoval
- “I’m not perfect” - Sandoval’s hollow apology refrain
- “Cover girl, don’t cover boy” - Raquel’s modeling critique becoming affair metaphor
- Sandoval’s lightning bolt necklace as villain symbol
Aftermath
Tom Sandoval and Ariana continued living in their shared house throughout 2023 (contractual/financial obligations), creating uncomfortable filming dynamics. Sandoval’s band Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras faced boycotts, and his bar Schwartz & Sandy’s saw protests.
The scandal also fractured the cast: Team Ariana (majority) vs. Sandoval defenders (Schwartz, eventually ostracized). Lala Kent and Katie Maloney became Ariana’s fiercest advocates.
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