Rachel Leviss is peeling back the curtain on the behind-the-scenes drama that led to her absence from the highly anticipated Season 11 of “Vanderpump Rules.”
In case you missed it, the reality TV star was at the center of the explosive “Scandoval” drama that unfolded last year. Not only was she one half of the intense storyline, but she also took responsibility for her role in the unfolding events.
Rachel Leviss Is Relieved To Not Be On ‘Vanderpump Rules’
While fans tuned in to witness the drama on the Bravo series’ 11th season premiere, Leviss was absent from the screen, content with her decision to stay away.
During the recent episode of her podcast, “Rachel Goes Rogue,” the former VPR star delved into the emotions that surfaced as she watched the show’s opening credits and cast montage.
When asked about her feelings during the intro credits and cast montage, the 29-year-old admitted to a complex mix of emotions, saying:
“It’s like, Okay, I am watching this show, and I’m really having to accept the fact that I’m not on it this season, and that was a decision that I really had a lot of weight in making. I didn’t take that lightly.”
While acknowledging feeling “a little fomo,” Leviss emphasized her ultimate satisfaction in not being part of the season’s narrative, stating, “I kept thinking, like, ‘oh my gosh, I’m so happy that I’m not part of this.’”
Discussing her journey since the scandal, she opened up about therapy and reflected on her relationship patterns, especially with her ex-fiance James Kennedy. Leviss acknowledged that the affair with Sandoval had manifested differently than she initially perceived. In her words:
“Like I didn’t see the similarities when I was in it, but as I’ve been able to take a step back and look more clearly at it, I can see it.”
The premiere also stirred feelings of regret for the TV personality, particularly when Ariana Madix, Sandoval’s ex-partner of nine years, revealed exchanges of mail and gifts between them, even after their affair had been outed.
Leviss admitted the difficulty of reliving those captured on camera, saying, “It’s a nod to my younger self who was still in love and infatuated.”
The TV personality pointed out that although she had apologized during the reunion, she now recognized the importance of aligning actions with words. She expressed remorse for her continued contact with Sandoval after the scandal, acknowledging the hurt it caused Madix.
Raquel Leviss Took Accountability In The ‘Scandoval’ Saga
In a previous revelation, Leviss took the stand and accepted responsibility for her part in the drama even after noting that she would not have engaged in the affair had she known about Sandoval’s ongoing relationship.
The Blast reported that she did this after being called out on the “Bravo Tea with Jared B” podcast for her comments.
The California-born beauty took to the comments with remorse, acknowledging her lack of self-respect in the situation. She wrote, “💯 you’re not wrong! I should have had more self respect than that and should have respected the relationship that Ariana had with Tom. No excuses.”
In a detailed explanation, Leviss revealed that Sandoval had given her numerous reasons for the delay in breaking up with Madix, emphasizing that she had low self-worth at the time.
Leviss admitted, “Tom kept telling me he was actively breaking up with her ‘amicably’ for her ‘mental health,’ which I can now see was magical thinking.”
Addressing the situation’s complexities, she explained that amid the many reasons why the breakup had not happened yet, she found it easier to stay in the fantasy rather than confront the reality.
Leviss concluded by agreeing that the podcaster “was absolutely 100% right” because taking herself out of the unhelpful situation was her responsibility.