Raquel Leviss

Rachel Leviss
Born	Rachel Leviss 1/12/1995
Birthplace	Riverside, California, United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Reality television personality, sound healer
Known for	Vanderpump Rules, Scandoval affair
Education	Sonoma State University

Rachel Leviss, formerly known on television as Raquel Leviss, is an American former reality television personality who gained national attention as a cast member on the Bravo series Vanderpump Rules. She appeared on the show beginning in its fifth season and became a recurring and later full-time cast member over several subsequent seasons. In early 2023, Leviss became the central figure in one of the most widely discussed scandals in reality television history — dubbed "Scandoval" by media and fans — when it was revealed that she had been involved in a months-long affair with her co-star Tom Sandoval while he was in a long-term relationship with fellow cast member Ariana Madix, who was also a close friend of Leviss. The ensuing public fallout led to Leviss's departure from the show, intensive media scrutiny, and legal proceedings among the parties involved. Following her exit from Hollywood, Leviss relocated to Arizona, where she has pursued a quieter life, including work as a sound healer, and has largely withdrawn from the entertainment industry.

Early Life

Rachel Leviss was born on January 12, 1995, in Riverside, California. Details regarding her parents, siblings, and upbringing have not been extensively documented in public sources. Leviss grew up in the Inland Empire region of Southern California before moving to Northern California for her higher education. During her time on Vanderpump Rules, she was known professionally by the name "Raquel," though she later indicated a preference for being called "Rachel," her given name.

Education

Leviss attended Sonoma State University, a public university in Rohnert Park, California, where she studied kinesiology. She participated in beauty pageants during her college years and competed in the Miss California USA system. Leviss's background in pageantry was occasionally referenced during her appearances on Vanderpump Rules, where it was noted as part of her personal identity and interests.

Career

Vanderpump Rules

Vanderpump Rules is an American reality television series that premiered on Bravo on January 7, 2013. Developed as a spin-off of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, the show focuses on Lisa Vanderpump and the staff at her West Hollywood restaurants and bars, including SUR Restaurant & Lounge, Pump Restaurant, and Tom Tom. The series was renewed multiple times and aired twelve seasons, becoming one of Bravo's signature programs.

Leviss first appeared on the show during its fifth season as the girlfriend of cast member James Kennedy, a DJ who worked at SUR. Initially a recurring presence, Leviss gradually became more involved in the show's storylines. Her relationship with Kennedy was a primary narrative thread across multiple seasons, with the couple's interactions — including Kennedy's struggles with alcohol and behavioral issues — providing ongoing material for the series. Over time, Leviss transitioned from a peripheral figure to a more prominent cast member.

During her seasons on Vanderpump Rules, Leviss developed friendships with several other cast members, including Ariana Madix and Tom Schwartz. She was often portrayed as a more reserved and soft-spoken personality compared to some of the show's more confrontational figures. Her relationship with Kennedy eventually ended, with the breakup playing out on camera during the show's ninth season.

Affair with Tom Sandoval and "Scandoval"

In March 2023, news emerged that Leviss had been engaged in a romantic affair with Tom Sandoval, who had been in a relationship with Ariana Madix for approximately nine years. The revelation of the affair — quickly dubbed "Scandoval" by fans and media outlets — became one of the most discussed events in reality television history, generating enormous attention across social media, entertainment news outlets, and mainstream press.

The affair was particularly notable because it involved close friends and co-stars on the same television show, with Madix and Leviss having had a friendship prior to the revelation. The scandal unfolded during the production of the show's tenth season, and the discovery of the affair by Madix and the broader cast was captured on camera and became the focal point of the remaining episodes.

Prior to the public revelation, there had been suspicions among cast members. In a preview for an episode that aired on May 3, 2023, Leviss admitted to having slept over at Sandoval's home, which raised further suspicion among the cast.

The "Scandoval" story generated a significant increase in viewership for Vanderpump Rules and became a cultural talking point that extended far beyond the show's typical audience. The tenth season reunion special, which addressed the affair directly, drew record ratings for the series. The scandal also spawned extensive media coverage and became a reference point in broader discussions about reality television, infidelity, and parasocial relationships between audiences and television personalities.

Departure from Vanderpump Rules

Following the public exposure of the affair, Leviss faced significant backlash from the show's audience, other cast members, and the broader public. She departed Vanderpump Rules after the events of the tenth season and did not return to the show. Leviss reportedly sought mental health treatment in the aftermath of the scandal, checking into a facility to address the psychological toll of the public scrutiny and media attention.

Her departure from the show was accompanied by a broader withdrawal from public life. Leviss left West Hollywood and the social circle associated with Vanderpump Rules, effectively ending her career in reality television.

Legal Proceedings

The aftermath of the scandal also involved legal proceedings among the parties. Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval were involved in a legal dispute over their shared home, which they had co-owned during their relationship. In January 2026, it was reported that Madix and Sandoval had finally reached a settlement in their post-"Scandoval" lawsuit.

Leviss herself was involved in legal matters related to the scandal. Her legal disputes with other parties from the show were part of the extended fallout from the affair and its public disclosure.

Post-Television Career

After leaving the entertainment industry, Leviss relocated to Arizona, where she adopted a significantly different lifestyle from her years in West Hollywood. As of 2026, she has been working as a sound healer, a practice within the wellness and alternative healing field that involves the use of sound frequencies and instruments for therapeutic purposes.

Leviss has largely avoided the media spotlight in the years following the scandal. Reports indicate that she has embraced a private life far removed from the world of reality television and the social scene centered around SUR and West Hollywood. Her transition from reality television personality to wellness practitioner has been noted in media reports as a significant departure from her former public persona.

Personal Life

During her time on Vanderpump Rules, Leviss was in a long-term relationship with co-star James Kennedy. The couple's relationship, including its difficulties and eventual dissolution, played out on the show across multiple seasons. Following the end of her relationship with Kennedy, Leviss became involved with Tom Sandoval, which led to the "Scandoval" affair that became public in 2023.

After departing from Vanderpump Rules and relocating to Arizona, Leviss entered into a relationship with Jason Boucher. As of mid-2025, their relationship timeline was documented by media outlets, indicating that Leviss had moved on from the events of the scandal and was building a new personal life outside of the entertainment industry. Prior to her relationship with Boucher, Leviss was briefly linked to an individual named Matthew.

Leviss has been open about the mental health challenges she faced in the aftermath of the scandal. She sought professional treatment following the intense public scrutiny that accompanied the revelation of her affair with Sandoval, and her subsequent lifestyle changes — including her move to Arizona and career shift — have been described in press accounts as part of a broader effort to prioritize her well-being and distance herself from the pressures of public life.

Leviss has also indicated a preference for using her given name "Rachel" rather than the name "Raquel" by which she was known during her time on television.

Recognition

Leviss's public profile was defined primarily by her involvement in "Scandoval," which became one of the most discussed events in the history of American reality television. The scandal was credited with significantly boosting viewership for Vanderpump Rules during its tenth season and generating unprecedented media attention for the Bravo series.

The term "Scandoval" itself entered popular culture as a shorthand reference for the affair and was used extensively across entertainment media, social media platforms, and news outlets. The event was analyzed and discussed not only as entertainment news but also as a cultural phenomenon, with commentators examining themes of trust, betrayal, and the intersection of personal relationships with the performative aspects of reality television.

The aftermath of the scandal also elevated the profiles of the other principals involved. Ariana Madix, in particular, experienced a significant career boost following the events, going on to appearances on other television programs. Tom Sandoval continued to appear in reality television, including on the series House of Villains.

Legacy

The "Scandoval" affair involving Leviss, Sandoval, and Madix is considered a defining moment in the history of Vanderpump Rules and, more broadly, in modern reality television. The scandal was significant enough to alter the trajectory of the show itself; the series underwent substantial cast changes in subsequent seasons, and the event was cited as a factor in discussions about the show's future direction.

The scandal also contributed to broader cultural conversations about the nature of reality television, the boundaries between on-screen personas and real-life behavior, and the psychological impact of public scrutiny on individuals involved in televised personal dramas. Leviss's subsequent withdrawal from public life and pursuit of wellness-oriented work has been referenced in media discussions about the human cost of reality television fame.

Three years after the scandal, as of 2026, the events of "Scandoval" continued to be a reference point in entertainment media coverage. The settlement of legal disputes between Madix and Sandoval in January 2026 represented one of the final formal resolutions of the affair's aftermath, though media interest in the principals involved has persisted.

Leviss's trajectory — from beauty pageant contestant to reality television cast member to the center of a national scandal to a private life in Arizona — has been documented as a notable example of the rapid and sometimes destructive nature of reality television fame. Her case has been cited in discussions about the responsibilities of production companies and networks toward cast members who face intense public backlash as a result of events that play out on camera.