‘Vanderpump Rules’ star Raquel Leviss.Photo:Todd Williamson/Bravo via Getty
Todd Williamson/Bravo via Getty
Vanderpump Rules’Rachel “Raquel” Levissclaims theScandovalleft her in the red.
Leviss, 28, has said she’s in debt following the reveal that she carried out amonths-long affairwith costarTom Sandovalbehind the back of her friend and castmateAriana Madix. Madix, 39,broke up with Sandoval, 40, after learning he’d been cheating on her. The reality star opened up about the difficulties she’s now facing to formerReal Housewives of New York CitystarBethenny Frankelfor herJust Bpodcast,
Frankel added, “So … and you’re in a deficit. You’re in debt.”
Leviss answered with a simple, “Mhmm.”
Araya Doheny/Getty; JC Olivera/Getty; Bryan Bedder/Getty
Leviss theorized that all the drama resulting from her affair with Sandoval may have saved the show.VPRhad experienced dipping ratings in the last few seasons before beingnominated for its first-ever Emmythis past July after producers picked back up cameras — which had initially wrapped filming last fall — to chronicle the scandal as it played out in real time.
“The show was going to be canceled after season 10,” Leviss said, claiming to have heard this information from executive producer Alex Baskin. “And if it wasn’t for Scandoval, there wouldn’t be another season.”
Leviss appeared to be referencingDeadline’s interview with Baskin earlier this month when he called the timing of the Scandoval “perfect.”
“The story ofVanderpumpis one of survival more than anything,” he said. “We were coming off a really tough ninth season and we had thecast firingsbefore the season and there was a low energy season during the pandemic. To the network’s credit, they gave us another run at it and we had a resurgence anyway.”
Tommy Garcia/Bravo
During her conversation with Frankel, Leviss claimedSandoval actually benefitedfrom his role in the drama.
“I think he was being rewarded for the Scandoval of it all,” she said. “And to me that’s just kind of gross.”
On the flip side, after making a reported$361,000 for season 10 ofVPR, Leviss chose to step away from the show. After thecombative season 10 reunionwas filmed in late March, she spent 90 days in amental health facility, where sheembraced her birth nameand realized anaddiction to lovemight have been behind her decision to begin the affair.
Leviss doesn’t think “anybody on that show has my best interest at heart.” She added that “this past season really did feel like the first season where I was like, ‘Oh my God, I am selling my soul.”
Ultimately, Leviss felt like she lost out in the situation. She told Frankel, “I feel like it’s true, the woman does get the short end of the stick.”
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Vanderpump Rulescan be streamed in full on Peacock.
source: people.com
