Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval of Vanderpump Rules have reportedly split after he cheated on her with Raquel Leviss. The Bravo stars have been together for almost a decade. Raquel, who was formerly engaged to James Kennedy, was recently linked to Sandoval’s best friend and business partner Tom Schwartz. Much of the drama this season has been focused on her and Schwartz hooking up after his divorce from Katie Maloney.
The news was first reported on by TMZ. An anonymous insider claimed that Ariana, who publicly supported Sandoval’s band on Wednesday, found out about his alleged infidelity a few days ago. While the affair with Raquel was apparently the final straw, TMZ’s source claimed that Tom and Ariana’s long-running relationship has been hanging on by a thread for some time now. The source also mentioned that producers managed to capture the fallout on camera, and plan to incorporate that footage into the currently-airing Vanderpump Rules season 10. While all parties declined to give a statement to the tabloid, Ariana deleted both her Instagram and Twitter accounts. Her first post-split sighting came in a Instagram video posted by Kristen Doute.
Scheana Shay, who previously defended Raquel and encouraged her hookup with Schwartz, unfollowed her. Shortly after the news broke, James Kennedy posted the TMZ headline to his Instagram page. “Hope you all feel as sick as I do,” Raquel’s ex-fiance wrote, adding, “this explains everything.”
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The Vanderpump Rules Cast Reacts To The Sandoval & Raquel Affair
James, who moved on with Ally Lewber, pinned a comment calling Raquel and Sandoval “most vile subhumans.” Ariana’s brother Jeremy left an angry response about the “toxic” duo, writing,“Toms a try hard having a midlife crisis…and Raquel has faked her way to the top…willing to step on whoever to get there.” On his Instagram stories, James shared a Watch What Happens Live clip of Lala Kent promising to confront Sandoval and wishing Ariana could get away from him. The Brit also joked that followers should heckle Tom’s band’s show. Lala posted many stories on Instagram calling out Raquel and Sandoval’s hypocrisy. Katie, who recently slammed Raquel as a “desperado,” posted two clown emojis to her Instagram stories.
The shocking alleged affair adds so much to an already incredibly messy situation regarding Raquel and the other Tom. Scheana, who was slammed by viewers for stirring up that connection, unfollowing Raquel indicates the rest of the cast is just as blindsided. Just days ago, the 28-year-old gushed over Schwartz, and lamented that his ex-wife Katie stopped their romance before it began. In that case, the unapologetic TomTom fan girl insisted her actions weren’t a betrayal because she and Katie were never friends. And since Schwartz promised his ex-wife not to date within their social group, the onus was on him.
However, the former pageant queen was always close to Ariana. The comedian spent years defending Raquel while the rest of the cast excluded her. Sandoval was James’ friend, and even helped to fund his proposal to Raquel in Vanderpump Rules season 9. This also isn’t her first alleged affair, as Raquel was linked to Oliver Saunders, the son of Garcelle Beauvais. She claimed not to know her co-worker Oliver was married, and even accused Lala of pushing her towards him. These actions may indicate that Raquel, who was previously presented as an innocent sweetheart, is actually the show’s latest villain.
It’s been theorized that Raquel and Schwartz’s hookup was a publicity stunt to boost ratings for Vanderpump Rules after a few weak seasons. Schwartz was rumored to actually be dating a hairstylist named Jo, though he recently denied this. Now, it’s unclear if the whole thing was a cover-up for Raquel’s secret affair with Sandoval. Though some may dismiss the latest revelation as a ratings ploy, the very raw reactions on social media suggest otherwise. Now, viewers will wait to see the footage of how Vanderpump Rules star Ariana discovered the betrayal.
More: All The Men VPR’s Raquel Is Rumored To Be Dating Since James Split
