Vanderpump Rules star Rachel Leviss is now suing Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix for ‘revenge porn, wiretapping and invasion of privacy’ after Scandoval drama
Rachel Leviss is now suing Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix for ‘revenge porn, wiretapping and invasion of privacy’ after last year’s Scandoval drama.
‘Scandoval’ captured widespread public attention, went completely viral and revived Vanderpump Rules,” reads the complaint, obtained by DailyMail.com. It also caused chaos in Leviss’ life, culminating in months of inpatient treatment at a mental health facility and her departure from the show. Fueled by Bravo and Evolution in collaboration with the cast, Leviss was subjected to an unprecedented public debate and became, without exaggeration, one of the most hated women in America.”
Last year, it was revealed that Leviss had an intimate FaceTime conversation with Sandoval that was recorded without her knowledge.
During an interview with Bethenny Frankel in August, Leviss accused Sandoval of recording the video chat.
DailyMail.com has contacted representatives for Sandoval, Madix and Leviss for comment.
Rachel Leviss is now suing Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix for ‘revenge porn, eavesdropping and invasion of privacy’ after last year’s Scandoval drama
Bravo, NBCUniversal, Andy Cohen and producers who work on Vanderpump Rules are not named in the lawsuit, but are often mentioned.
The lawsuit, which runs to 19 pages, was submitted by Leviss Thursday at Los Angeles Superior Court.
‘Plaintiff Rachel Leviss is a former cast member of Vanderpump Rules, a reality television show produced by Evolution Media (“Evolution”) and broadcast by Bravo Media (“Bravo”), an asset of NBCUniversal (“NBC”) (along with Bravo, “Bravo”). This case stems from a scandal of epic proportions beginning in March 2023,” it said.
“Scandoval,” as it became known, emerged from an affair between Leviss and another cast member, Tom Sandoval, and immediately went viral and was the subject of extraordinary press coverage, even in the mainstream media. “Scandoval” breathed new life into a previously faltering series, exploding viewership to unprecedented levels and turning its cast members into mega-celebrities. As a result of a narrative deliberately fueled by Bravo, Evolution and the cast, Leviss became an object of public scorn and ridicule.
“To be clear, Leviss has repeatedly acknowledged that her actions were morally reprehensible and deeply hurtful to Madix. She has issued numerous apologies. However, there is more to the story. Lost in the mix was that Leviss was the victim of the predatory and dishonest behavior of an older man, who recorded sexually explicit videos of her without her knowledge or consent, which were then circulated, disseminated and publicly discussed by a scorned woman seeking revenge was out. , which catalyzes the scandal. Leviss eventually checked herself into a mental health facility and remained there for three months, while Bravo, Evolution and the cast milked the interest that her hardship had peaked.
“To make matters worse, Leviss was misled by Bravo and Evolution into believing that she was contractually prohibited from speaking out about her abuse. As a result, she suffered in silence as Bravo and Evolution saw their viewership explode, and the rest of the cast enjoyed an unprecedented level of public recognition and professional opportunity. Meanwhile, Leviss, who was humiliated and abused for public consumption, remains a shadow of her former self, with her career prospects stunted and her reputation in tatters.”
Leviss filed the lawsuit Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, according to Deadline
Leviss had a months-long affair with Sandoval that last year marked the end of his nine-year relationship with Madix. The fallout was caught on camera and both Leviss and Sandoval were severely shamed by viewers and castmates alike.
The affair came to light after Madix discovered an intimate FaceTime video on Sandoval’s phone featuring himself and Leviss.
Leviss has maintained that the video was recorded without her knowledge, and last summer she accused Sandoval of recording the FaceTime.
The lawsuit details how Madix came across Leviss’s “sexually explicit videos” – Sandoval was performing with his band at Tom Tom’s when his phone fell out of his pocket and was given to Madix, who then rang his phone.
“It was allegedly retrieved by a visitor and turned over to Madix, who searched it and found sexually explicit videos of Leviss,” the lawsuit says about Madix answering the phone.
The lawsuit continues: “Leviss has been informed and believes, and based on such information and beliefs, that the explicit videos were recorded by Sandoval without her knowledge or consent in or about February 2023.”
“The two videos that Leviss has seen show her in a state of undress and masturbation. However, given Sandoval’s apparent practice of secretly recording their video calls, Leviss has every reason to believe there are more illicit videos and/or photos of her that she has not yet seen.”
Leviss had a months-long affair with Sandoval that last year marked the end of his nine-year relationship with Madix
Leviss alleges in the lawsuit that Madix “obtained at least two pirated videos from Leviss and distributed and/or showed them to others without Leviss’ knowledge or consent. At the very least, Madix distributed the illegal videos to himself and Leviss. She also immediately informed production of what she had found.
“Additionally, many other individuals have demonstrated an intimate familiarity with its contents, leading Leviss to believe that the circle of recipients is wider,” the suit adds.
The lawsuit adds that Madix sent the two sexually explicit videos to Leviss when she confronted her about the affair via text message. Leviss received the two videos together with the text: ‘you are DEAD TO ME[.]’
The lawsuit makes other allegations, including the claim that their affair was “known to many cast members and suspected by others.”
“Leviss and Sandoval were not particularly discreet. Leviss is informed and believes, and based on such information and beliefs, that Madix was aware as early as Fall 2022. In December 2022, Madix scolded Leviss and Sandoval for being handsy in public and warned them about the story for season 11.”
The lawsuit also delves into the alleged physical altercation between Leviss and Scheana Shay, who the lawsuit says “violently assaulted” Leviss after learning about the affair. Leviss eventually filed a restraining order against Shay over the incident, but it was dismissed.
The lawsuit also alleges that cameras filmed a scene in which Leviss confronted Sandoval for “secretly recording pornographic videos of her and storing them unprotected on his phone.” He “eventually offered a grudging confession and a sheepish apology.”
“Sandoval was clearly upset,” the complaint continues. After filming ended, an erratic and troubled Sandoval refused to leave Leviss’ apartment despite her requests. Leviss was forced to have her sister and brother-in-law pick her up and take her to their home. That day, Leviss hired a lawyer to reduce the risk of the illegal videos leaking.”
The fallout was caught on camera and both Leviss and Sandoval were heavily shamed by viewers and castmates alike
Sandoval was reportedly concerned about his portrayal in the scene, fearing that being accused of recording non-consensual pornography would “paint him in a negative light.”
The lawsuit alleges that Sandoval “allegedly threatened to halt all further filming for the show unless he was granted editing rights to the scene.” Shockingly, Bravo and Evolution met his demand. The scene was selectively edited to omit any mention of Sandoval’s illegal recording or Leviss’s lack of consent. This was part of a pattern and practice of Bravo and Evolution throwing Leviss under the bus in favor of Sandoval.”
Leviss’ attorneys Bryan Freedman and Mark Geragos spoke out about the lawsuit in a statement Page six.
Freedman told the newspaper: “For decades, I have dedicated much of my life to mental health treatment and recovery, and to helping others along that path. I am outraged that NBC and Bravo have used illegal NDAs as a cudgel to profit from their employees.
“The idea that people are expected to sacrifice their mental and emotional health for the sake of Bravo’s ratings is obscene. Many of their employees are suffering in silence from the brazen and calculated actions of NBC and Bravo.
“Hundreds of reality TV participants have reached out to Mark Geragos and myself, and we are committed to ensuring they have zealous advocates to confront the harm these employers have wrought on their lives.”
The lawsuit makes other allegations, including the claim that their affair was “known to many cast members and suspected by others.”
“While coming forward can be terrifying and even embarrassing, I implore people not to suffer in silence. Contact my company or Mark’s and we will help you get the help you need,” he says.
Geragos said: “This lawsuit is all about illegal behavior and those who engage in and enable it. Rachel has apologized for her part in an affair. That’s not a crime. Tom and Ariana are said to have been guilty of criminal offenses here.
“They then doubled down on those actions and used them to shame, bully, belittle and deliberately try to destroy Rachel’s mental health.
‘The law makes it clear that recording someone without their consent and distributing that illegal recording is a criminal offence; But if you do that while knowingly seducing them into sexual acts, it deserves the harshest penalties the law allows.”