The former reality star talked about the latest episode of 'Vanderpump Rules' on her podcast, 'Rachel Goes Rogue.'
Rachel Leviss is speaking out after her mental health struggles were discussed on the latest episode of Vanderpump Rules without her being present.
In a new episode of her podcast, Rachel Goes Rogue, the former reality star called out Tom Sandoval for sharing intimate, private information about her mental state in the wake of their affair going public.
The 2023 situation, referred to as "Scandoval," occurred when it came to light that Sandoval, 40, had a lengthy affair with Leviss, cheating on his then-girlfriend of nearly a decade, Ariana Madix. The fallout from the situation led Leviss to visit a treatment facility for her mental health. In a December 2023 podcast appearance on Two Ts in a Pod With Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge, Sandoval claimed that he and Leviss had considered ending their lives.
"I was on the phone with Rachel and literally debating on f**king killing ourselves," he said.
In her podcast, Leviss reacted to Sandoval making such comments about her mental state on multiple podcasts.
"It is not OK for somebody else to tell other people that they have expressed feelings of not wanting to live anymore," Leviss, 29, said. "Tom already brought this up about me on Tamra and Teddi's podcast, Two Ts in a Pod, and that one I went in really deep processing with my therapist because it's like, 'Whoa, why are you talking about this personal information? That was privy to only your ears? This is a vulnerable topic, a vulnerable position for me to be sharing with you and you're telling Teddi and Tamra and whoever else is listening to this popular podcast that I have had dark thoughts?'"
Leviss also said she felt Sandoval misrepresented their conversation during his podcast comments, adding, "The way that he said it too, he made it seem like we had a suicide pact, like it was some sort of Romeo and Juliet love story. That really angered me. So when he said it again, and I understand, like, yes, he was defending me to Scheana [Shay] and exposing her for how vindictive she really was, but it's also not OK to be discussing that personal, emotional, turmoil state of mind with the rest of the world and now it's a topic of conversation. That really crossed a boundary."
As for the heavy conversations had on this week's episode of Vanderpump Rules, Leviss shared that she was disappointed in how the show handled her mental health struggles.
"I think that how they closed out the episode with the disclaimer with the suicide hotline, I'm happy that they did, but I'm a little disappointed that they didn't really treat me with that concern," she said. "I'm just so grateful that I was able to get the mental health treatment that I needed so desperately. That place really saved me and helped me to get out of this chaotic world."
Leviss chose not to return to Vanderpump Rules in the wake of the fallout with both the cast and in the court of public opinion.
Leviss also said she felt that Sandoval discussing these things on camera was "strategic," claiming he was trying to set himself up to look like her defender and hero if she were to return to the Bravo show. Ultimately, she shared that she "ghosted" him so as to avoid his attempts to win her back.
"I've been advised that that would be the best way for me to end it," she said of their secret relationship. "Because if I tried to explain the reasons why I'm breaking up with him, he would figure out a way to get back into my good graces. I even tried to break up with him before he went on Special Forces."
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please contact that 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for 24/7 support.
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