Ariana Madix Refutes Claim Raquel Leviss Believed Tom Sandoval Was In an Open Relationship

Ariana Madix denies the claim that Raquel Leviss was manipulated into believing Tom Sandoval was in an open relationship when their affair began. Madix clarified that Leviss didn't believe Sandoval's alleged claims but had mentioned them to someone.

During the "Vanderpump Rules" finale, Scheana Shay revealed that Leviss had told someone about Sandoval's comment at Coachella, implying that he and Madix were open. This was after the affair was exposed in March. Madix had previously denied being in an open relationship with Sandoval but now believes he might have been the source of those rumors.

Keep on reading to learn more.

Ariana Madix vehemently denied any suggestions that Raquel Leviss was "manipulated" into believing Tom Sandoval was involved in an open relationship when their affair began.

The topic arose during the "Vanderpump Rules: Pumped Up Edition" reunion. Scheana Shay claimed that Sandoval had informed Leviss in April 2022 that he and Madix were not exclusive—only a few months before their dalliance started.

One fan took to Page Six's Instagram to propose that the cast might be too harsh on Leviss, considering she may have genuinely believed Sandoval's alleged lies and thought she was not harmed.

The fan speculated whether Sandoval manipulated Leviss, stating, "Could it be that he manipulated Raquel the same way that Ariana has claimed he manipulated her for years." They added, "Why wouldn't Raquel believe him if that's what he told her? He took her on vacations to meet his parents; they even spent Christmas together."

Madix found the open relationship comment by the fan unsettling and needed to correct the record in the comment section. "Just to clarify — she didn't BELIEVE that," the "VPR" star responded. "She told someone that he told her that. There are missing major chunks here which are understandable. They can't fit every piece of context into the show."

Madix provided further context, stating, "He also spent Christmas with my family in LA (photo shown in the finale) and me before splitting his time and going home to see his after. The first holiday without my grandma, please remember."

Shay, who first informed Madix about Sandoval's alleged comments after the affair was exposed in March, shared what she had heard during the "VPR" finale. "Apparently, in April [2022], she told this person that at Coachella, after you went to sleep, they were in the hot tub, he commented to her and was like, 'So you know Ariana and I are like open right?' And that he started coming onto her at f**king Coachella."

Throughout the season, Madix and Sandoval had been adamantly denying any claims about being involved in an open relationship. Sandoval had even gone so far as to label the accusations as "the most f**king ridiculous f**king thing ever."

However, in light of the shocking revelation regarding Leviss and Sandoval's affair, Madix expressed her belief that Sandoval might have been the source of those rumors all along.

Madix turned her world upside down when she accidentally stumbled upon a sexually explicit FaceTime recording involving her ex-boyfriend and Leviss. This distressing discovery immediately prompted the relationship's end, and the affair's aftermath was documented during Season 10 of the popular Bravo series.

Ahead of the highly anticipated reunion, Madix found strength and support from her inner circle. This came during a challenging period when she had recently ended her relationship with Sandoval amid rumors of his involvement with Leviss.

The model acknowledged the unwavering support she received, stating, "There are days where I couldn't eat, I couldn't sleep, I feel like really the luckiest girl in the world because I was at the lowest I think I've ever been in my life and everybody just like really picked me back up."

Surrounded by friends backstage, in an interview with BravoTV.com during the Season 10 reunion filming, she continued: "I mentally prepared for today by getting my nails done, getting a sick outfit, cutting off my hair, bleaching it, and going to bed early last night."