Rachel Leviss recently opened up about the ongoing emotional toll of the highly publicized scandal known as “Scandal,” which continues to affect her as she seeks to heal through therapy. On her podcast, “Rachel Goes Rogue,” the 29-year-old former star of “Vanderpump Rules” delved into the difficulties she’s been facing in the aftermath of her involvement with Tom Sandoval, particularly regarding the violation of her personal boundaries.
The controversy, which gripped fans of the reality show, came to light last year when it was disclosed that Sandoval had been engaged in a secret relationship with Leviss while he was in a long-term relationship with his then-girlfriend, Ariana Madix, spanning nine years. This revelation sent shockwaves through their community and the show’s viewership, marking a significant turning point in the lives of those involved, told People.
“It took me a while to process Tom recording me without me knowing,” Leviss admitted during the episode, adding that the situation “was so chaotic.” “It wasn’t until I had my one-on-one trauma therapy session in The Meadows that I was able to really start decompressing what he did and how he violated a personal boundary,” she said, referencing the mental health facility she stayed in the months.
“I remember telling him on the phone after processing it, ‘I don’t think that I will be able to forgive you for this,’” Leviss recalled. “And then, you know, a week later, he’s trying to get me to hire his lawyer and fire my lawyer.” “He had a slip-up and he said, ‘The last thing that we need you to do right now is go rogue,’” she claimed of their interaction, which seemingly inspired the title of her podcast.
The fallout from the affair led Leviss to take legal action earlier this year against both Sandoval and Madix. She brought forward allegations centered around an incident involving revenge porn, claiming that Sandoval had recorded her without her consent during an intimate moment shared over a FaceTime call. This legal move highlighted the severe implications and the breach of trust that stemmed from the affair.
During her podcast, Leviss candidly expressed the challenges she’s been confronting as she tries to piece together her life in the scandal’s wake. She described her current state as being in “survival mode,” a term that encapsulates the fight-or-flight response many individuals experience when dealing with traumatic events. Leviss’s admission sheds light on the profound impact such public and personal betrayals can have on one’s mental and emotional well-being.
Her journey through therapy and the process of publicly sharing her experiences underscore the complexities of navigating recovery in the public eye. Leviss’s story is a poignant reminder of the human aspect behind the headlines and the long road to healing that lies ahead for those caught in the crossfire of public scandals. As she continues to share her narrative, Leviss not only seeks personal closure but also aims to foster a broader conversation about boundary violations, trust, and the path to emotional resilience.
