It was one year ago when the reality TV world was changed forever. Vanderpump Rules star Tom Sandoval did a bad, bad thing. He cheated on his girlfriend of nearly 10 years, Ariana Madix, with her friend, Rachel Leviss. And it wasn’t just a fling. It was a secret affair that lasted for months.
On March 1, 2023, news broke after Ariana discovered an intimate video of Rachel on Sandoval’s phone while he was performing with his band, Tom Sandoval and The Most Extras. She promptly kicked him to the curb.
But the drama, called Scandoval, rocked both the reality television world and mainstream culture. Bravo’s cameras went up to film the aftermath for Season 10. The show surged in popularity and snagged an Emmy nomination. Meanwhile, Season 11 features the VPR cast trying to navigate this new landscape. On the first anniversary of Scandoval, where does everybody stand now? Let’s check in with the Pump Rules crew.
Ariana Madix and Katie Maloney
While Ariana was heartbroken to discover Sandoval’s betrayal, her life took a major upswing. E! News reported that shortly after splitting from Sandoval, she met her current boyfriend, Daniel Wai. He lives in New York City, so the couple is dating long-distance.
Ariana took advantage of multiple endorsement deals. She also wrote a book, Single AF Cocktails. Then Ariana placed third in Season 32 of Dancing with the Stars, which paved the way for Ariana’s dream gig. She stepped into the role of Roxie Hart in Chicago on Broadway.
Closer to home, Ariana partnered with Katie Maloney on their chic sandwich shop, Something About Her. Opening the establishment has proved difficult due to permit issues, but the ladies are working on it.
Katie is still co-parenting her two dogs with her ex-husband, Tom Schwartz. Since news broke that Schwartz knew about the affair from the jump, Katie has been disgusted by Schwartz’s bond with Sandoval. Katie’s new podcast, Disrespectfully, is co-hosted by Pump Rules alum Dayna Kathan. It launched in January.
Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz
Scandoval negatively affected the Toms’ new bar, Schwartz & Sandy’s. So, Sandoval was asked to step away from the business. He went on tour with his cover band. He also filmed two reality shows, The Masked Singer and Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, before filming started on Season 11 of VPR. But Schwartz, who also escaped reality by filming Stars on Mars, resented Sandoval for leaving a mess for him to clean up.
Schwartz soon forgave his bestie. Duh! In a shocking turn of events, Sandoval and Rachel broke up. Sandoval is now dating a model named Victoria Lee Robinson.
But Sandoval and Ariana, who haven’t spoken since the brutal Season 10 reunion, still live in the house they purchased together. However, they don’t communicate as they have a go-between. Sounds…relaxing.
According to PEOPLE, Sandoval recently responded to Ariana’s lawsuit. She wanted the house to be sold and the profit split between them. But in his court documents, Sandoval shut down that request.
Scheana Shay and Brock Davies
Scheana Shay and her husband, Brock Davies, are living their best lives with their daughter, Summer Moon Davies.
Scheana has struggled the most with cutting ties with Sandoval. They had been close friends for years. Scheana felt like she couldn’t be loyal to Ariana and be friends with Sandoval.
The mom of one has also been struggling with postpartum OCD. She is afraid to leave Summer with anyone other than her mother. While Brock is understanding, he also wants to find a permanent nanny for Summer.
James Kennedy and Ally Lewber
James Kennedy has a lot of anger towards Sandoval for hooking up with his ex-fiancée, Rachel. On a positive note, James is adulting! He bought his first home, which he shares with his co-star and girlfriend, Ally Lewber, and her cat, Mr. Banks. The couple began dating in January 2022. His career has been thriving, with a Vegas residency scheduled for 2024. And Ally has been pursuing her career as an astrologer.
Lisa Vanderpump reunited James and his dog, Graham. Rachel had allegedly given Graham to a shelter when she was receiving in-patient mental health treatment. James renamed the pup Hippie.
Rachel Leviss
After the Season 10 reunion, Rachel spent two months at a facility for mental health treatment. According to The Hollywood Reporter, she decided to leave the show due to a salary dispute and to maintain her mental health.
Rachel cut off contact with Sandoval, and when he sent birthday greetings on social media, she blocked him. Although Rachel is no longer part of the show, Pump Rules is a big part of her podcast, Rachel Goes Rogue. She has spilled a lot of tea about Scandoval and discussed Season 11 of VPR.
According to Variety, Rachel filed a lawsuit against both Sandoval and Ariana. In the court documents, Rachel alleges revenge porn, invasion of privacy, eavesdropping, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. This lawsuit pertains to the video that Ariana found on Sandoval’s phone. Sandoval allegedly filmed the video without Rachel’s consent, or knowledge.
Lala Kent
Lala Kent raged at both Sandoval and Rachel. But, while filming Season 11, Lala showed more vulnerability and seemed like she might be able to co-exist with Sandoval someday.
She is also still focused on giving her daughter, Ocean Kent, a sibling. But as a solo parent this time.
Lisa Vanderpump
Lisa was tasked with trying to bring the shattered friends back together. Some fans think that she has been a little too forgiving of Sandoval’s bad behavior. Lisa did ask the group to step back from attacking him as she was concerned about his mental health.
Lisa and her husband, Ken Todd, also closed the iconic restaurant, Pump. But the duo is set to open a new restaurant in Lake Tahoe, called Wolf by Vanderpump.
As we raise a glass to the passing of the first anniversary of Scandoval, only time will tell if some of these fractured friendships will recover.
TELL US – WHO DO YOU THINK IS MOST LIKELY TO FORGIVE SANDOVAL? ARE YOU SURPRISED AT WHERE EVERYBODY STANDS AMID THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF SCANDOVAL?
