Leviss, a 29-year-old podcast host, recently initiated legal proceedings, a topic she has candidly discussed on her podcast, “Rachel Goes Rogue”.
The Lawsuit
The lawsuit involves Sandoval, aged 41, and Madix, 38 years old. The pair face serious accusations of revenge porn, invading privacy, eavesdropping and intentionally inflicting emotional distress.
Key among the charges is an allegation regarding the recording of a private video call. It is said that Sandoval recorded a private conversation between Leviss and himself, without her knowledge or consent.
Further complicating the matter is the suggestion that Madix may have accessed the video, and potentially disseminated it to others. Madix, however, firmly denies allegations of watching or distributing the recording.
Vanderpump’s Input
Vanderpump, 63, provided her thoughts on the issue, dismissing the lawsuit as ‘ridiculous’. She floated the idea that Leviss, having sent explicit material, should have anticipated the possibility of it being shared.
This response did not sit well with Leviss. Disappointed with Vanderpump’s take on the situation, she criticized Vanderpump for what she believes to be a gross misrepresentation.
Leviss, previously an employee of Vanderpump at SUR and Vanderpump Dogs, was deeply hurt by her former employer’s remarks. She referred to Vanderpump’s comments as both ‘heartbreaking’ and ‘victim shaming’, accusing her of defending her male colleague whilst leaving her female employee to bear the brunt.
The Aftermath
Following the reveal of their affair in March 2023, Leviss and Sandoval found themselves largely excluded by their fellow cast members. In response to the drama, Leviss chose to leave the show, while Sandoval returned for season 11 to confront the ensuing chaos.
Throughout the controversy, Vanderpump has maintained the stance that Leviss should have returned to the show to share her perspective. Leviss, however, holds a different perspective, stating her belief that continuing to film the show would not have been a beneficial decision for her.