Vanderpump Rules is known for getting messy – but their latest scandal has left the Bravo community shaken.
On 3 March, TMZ reported that Ariana Madix had discovered her partner of nine years Tom Sandoval had been allegedly having an affair with their costar, Raquel Leviss. Reports claimed that the pair had been hooking up for at least six months (meaning the duo were potentially together even before Raquel’s controversial kiss with another co-star, Tom Schwartz, last summer).
And with the highly-anticipated reunion just weeks away, here’s a timeline of the entire cheating scandal…
February 2014: Ariana And Tom Meet
Bravo's golden couple melted hearts around the world by confirming their romance during a Season Two reunion of Vanderpump Rules.
Early on in the season, Tom’s then-girlfriend Kristen Doute accused him of cheating on her with newbie Ariana – with both denying the claims.
December 2021: Raquel Splits From James Kennedy
Raquel and her fiancé James Kennedy call off their engagement – seven months after his proposal.
Addressing their split, the once loved-up couple wrote ‘After these five wonderful years we had together, we decided we have two different goals and made the decision to call off the engagement. We love each other very much, but we aren’t in love anymore.’
Summer 2022: Affair Begins
According to sources who spoke to both Page Six and People, Raquel and Tom allegedly struck up their affair at some point during summer of 2022 – months after the reality star found herself once again single.
August 2022: Raquel's Controversial Kiss
Whilst Tom Schawrtz is in the midst of his divorce from Katie Maloney, he shares a controversial kiss with Raquel during Scheana Shay and Brock Davies’ Cancun wedding whilst the cast are shooting for season ten of Vanderpump Rules.
The kiss stirred up a lot of drama – with some fans speculating that it was intended as a cover-up for an alleged affair between Raquel and Tom Sandoval, though this has never been confirmed by any party involved.
October 2022: Matching Necklaces
Whilst news of the alleged affair broke this month, fans have since noticed that the pair could have been dropping some hints along the way in recent months.
It's rumoured, for example, that Raquel and Tom started to wear matching lightning bolt necklaces to symbolise their hidden love.
January 2023: Open Relationships
At the start of this year, Ariana publicly denies rumours that she and Tom are in an open relationship.
In since deleted tweets, she wrote ‘We don’t have an open relationship. I'm really not that cool.’
1 March, 2023: Stable Relationships
During an interview with Page Six just days before the drama unfolded, Tom is asked the secret behind ‘the most stable relationship in Vanderpump Rules history.’
He replies, ‘[Me and Ariana] have our ups and downs for sure. I think we’ve been really good about respecting each other and having each other’s backs in a reasonable way.’
That same evening, the couple are spotted smooching at a gig – where Tom’s band, Tom Sandoval & the Most Extras, were performing.
It’s been reported that Ariana discovers the affair that same night – with a source later telling People, ‘She had no idea any of this was happening behind her back.’
3 March, 2023: Tom and Ariana Split
A source told [People]{href='https://people.com/tv/tom-sandoval-ariana-madix-relationship-timeline/' } that Ariana and Tom have split. The star reportedly uncovered the affair after a ‘selfie video sexual in nature’ popped up on Tom’s phone - with the two allegedly being involved for ‘upwards of six months.’
They shared, ‘Ariana was completely blindsided by this; and devastated doesn’t even scratch the surface of how she feels.’
And as the drama unfolds, the Vanderpump Rules cast unite. A source revealed to Page Six ‘It’s true that they split and cameras are rolling,’ while another added ‘The majority of the cast is expected to gather and film tomorrow to share their reactions to Raquel and Tom’s affair.’
4 March 2023: Tom Addresses Scandal
After news breaks, Tom is spotted packing his bags into a car outside of the couple’s shared home.
Later that evening, he seemingly addresses the scandal during a concert in Anaheim, California – asking the crowd ‘Have you ever been one of the most hated people in America?’
Meanwhile, Ariana spends time with Tom’s ex-girlfriend Kristen Doute.
4 March, 2023: Tom Releases His Statement
Tom Sandoval shares an Instagram statement defending his BFF and business partner, Tom Schwartz – who he says only discovered the affair very recently, asking for fans to ‘please direct your anger towards me.’
6 March, 2023: Tom 'gaslights' Ariana
Page Six reports that Ariana was left feeling ‘gaslit’ by Tom during a taped confrontation about the affair.
‘He gave her several excuses as to why he never copped to cheating,’ revels the source, with another adding ‘The fact that they own a home together was also brought up, and how he thought that would make their breakup even more complicated.’
7 March 2023: Raquel Hires Lawyers
Several Vanderpump Rules stars receive a letter from Raquel’s lawyers in relation to the explicit video found on Tom’s phone, as reported by TMZ.
The video was allegedly captured during a Facetime session, with Raquel’s attorneys explaining it was filmed ‘illegally without Raquel’s knowledge or consent.’
The letter reportedly warns that sharing the video would violate revenge porn laws in California, and anyone in possession of it should immediately delete.
The letter doesn’t explicitly accuse Tom of recording or sharing the FaceTime video without her consent. Neither party have commented.
7 March 2023: Raquel Files Restraining Order Against Scheana Shay
Following an alleged altercation that occured, ET confirms that Raquel has filed a restraining order again co-star Scheana Shay.
The pair had made an appearance on Watch What Happens Live!, where Raquel addressed her controversial kiss with Tom Schwartz, saying ‘I’m just trying to live my life and I’m sorry if that offends people’.
A source told People that, after filming had finished, Raquel opened up about her ongoing affair with Tom Sandoval to Scheana – who allegedly responded by getting physical.
7 March 2023: Tom Apologises To Ariana
Following on from his earlier statement, Tom now pens yet another apology - and this time, it's to Ariana.
He writes, 'Most of all, I want to apologise to Ariana. I made mistakes, I was selfish, and made reckless decisions that hurt somebody I love. No one deserves to feel that pain so traumatically and publicly,' adding 'My love for Ariana was stronger than any camera could ever have captured.'
8 March 2023: Raquel Issues Apology and Lisa Vanderpump Weighs In
One day after her lover, Raquel pens a similar looking apology over on her social media.
Revealing that she was gong through counselling and working to better herself, Raquel writes 'There is no excuse, I am not a victim and must own my actions.'
Hours after Raquel's apology, big boss Lisa Vanderpump sat down with Bravo's Andy Cohen for a tell-all interview on the scandal.
The RHOBH star admitted she was left 'gobsmacked' and 'flabbergasted' at the news, adding 'Literally, no words. I didn't see it coming. Nobody saw it coming.'
Updating fans on Ariana, Lisa said 'Devastated. A lot of tears. Ariana was always that ride-or-die girlfriend. It seems like Raquel was the ride girlfriend and she was the die girlfriend - not good.'
11 March 2023: Tom Schwartz Speaks To TMZ
Tom Schwartz finally breaks his silence on the situation, telling TMZ 'I'm just sad about the negative impact it's had on our business. But I think cooler heads will prevail'
He also gave fans an insight into how his BFF and business partner was going, sharing 'I think he feels like a piece of s**t - and to some extent, maybe he is. He knows he f**ked up and the whole thing is just really sad.'
15 March 2023: Ariana Speaks Out
After two weeks of silence, Ariana finally has her say on the breakup.
Thanking those around her for their support, she wrote 'When I have felt like I couldn't even stand, you all have given me the strength to continue and seen me through my darkest hours.'
'To say I have been devastated and broken in an understatement. However, I know that I am not in this alone,' she added, signing off 'What doesn't kill me better run.'
20 March 2023: Bravo Reveals First Scandal Glimpse
In their midseason trailer for Season 10, Bravo reveal the first footage of Tom and Ariana's post-affair breakup - in which she told him to 'die' for cheating with Raquel.
Tom is heard admitting, 'I wish we both would have tried harder,' before Ariana fires back 'You don't deserve one f**king tear of mine.'
23 March 2023: Raquel Addresses Reunion
Despite rumours that Raquel would not be attending, Bravo confirm that she will be there in person for the 23 March reunion episode (which was filmed on 23 March, and likely to air in late Spring.)
Ahead of the reunion, Raquel also publicly spoke out on the affair - setting the record straight on her and Tom's reunion, what she said to Ariana, and her feud with Scheana Shay.
March 2023: Celebs React
With details of the drama unfolding, the world has gone wild over the betrayal.
One fan wrote, ‘Oh man… Every scene with Tom/Raquel is gonna be weird to watch with all that we know.’
Raquel’s ex-fiancé, James Kennedy, also weighed in – responding to the the drama by telling fans ‘Hope you all feel as sick as I do. This explains everything.’
And plenty of other famous faces entered the chat to share their opinion.
Selling Sunset’s Chrishell Stause shared her support for Ariana, tweeting a picture of the two together alongside the caption ‘I love when we can all agree on something.’
Below Deck star Kate Chastain threw some shade, writing ‘I guess we know who isn’t winning Ms. Congeniality on #PumpRules. In hindsight, I’m not really sure Raquel has a complete grasp on ‘boundaries’ yet.’
And Chrissy Teigen also weighed in, tweeting ‘I have 20 different chats going about this Vanderpump Rules news. 20 wildly different people, a wide variety of ages and backgrounds, insanely different jobs and lives, all come together to say ‘WHAAAAAAAAT?!?!?!?’
6 April: Tom Schwartz spills the tea
Appearing on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen, BFF Tom Schwartz gave an update on where the controversial couple now stand.
Describing the affair as an 'open secret,' Tom criticised his pal - before urging fans to 'hug' the disgraced TV star if they saw him on the street.
11 April: Tom describes his 'magnetic' kiss
Appearing on a recent episode of Howie Mandel Does Stuff, Tom opened up about his first kiss with Raquel.
The star explained that he began to feel 'trapped' in his relationship with longtime girlfriend Ariana, realising that he needed to 'make a change to feel alive again, to feel motivated, to feel optimistic again.'
And Raquel entered onto the scene at the 'worst time ever' for Tom, who insisted he was simply 'yearning for a connection.'
'Raquel and I became really good friends,' he explained, adding 'She's so kind, witty, fun, down for it... She's beautiful.'
Revealing how the couple would stay awake talking 'till the sun came up,' Tom shared that their first kiss took place in the back garden of the house he shared with Ariana.
Reflecting on the moment, he recalled, 'It was magnetic. We were talking, moving closer... And all of a sudden we're just kissing. I felt something that I hadn't felt in so long emotionally. It wasn't just a kiss.'
And getting candid about his affair, Tom said 'Our connection was healthy, but the environment that it created - the lying, the sneaking around - was very unhealthy,' adding that the duo become 'obsessive' about spending time together.
14 April: Raquel seeks help
Raquel's rep tells Page Six that the star has checked into a facility to receive treatment and support regarding her mental health in the aftermath of the scandal.
They say, 'Raquel and her family decided months before the relationship was discovered that she needed mental health treatment and ultimately decided she would enter a voluntary facility for mental health counselling. Raquel was scheduled to go in pre-reunion but decided she wanted to finish her filming commitment.'
The rep adds that Bravo and production are 'aware [and] in support of her journey towards better mental health.'
They also clarified that the reality star is not in the facility for rehab, but rather for 'mental health and trauma therapy.'
17 April: Ariana kisses new man
Proving that she's totally okay, Ariana was spotted making out with a mystery man at Coachella.
The man was later revealed to be personal trainer Daniel Wai, who got close with the TV star as they danced at the music festival. The couple appeared on each other's Instagram Stories throughout the night, with fans praising the star for 'living her best life.'
When can I watch the reunion?
The season finale is set to take place on 18th May, with the three-part reunion kicking off on 25th May.
How can I catch up?
If you aren't too sure where to start with your Vanderpump journey, here's Hayu's handy guide to your must-watch episodes...
Weekly episodes of Vanderpump Rules air exclusively on Hayu every Thursday - meaning there's still plenty of drama to catch up on. Happy watching!