Tom Sandoval’s Desperate Bid to Control ‘Scandoval’ Narrative: Reshoot Demands After On-Camera Kiss with Raquel Leviss

The explosive revelation of Tom Sandoval’s affair with Raquel Leviss sent shockwaves through the world of reality television, particularly among fans of Bravo’s hit series, Vanderpump Rules. What began as a clandestine romance, reportedly lasting for months, quickly unraveled into a full-blown scandal, irrevocably altering friendships, relationships, and the very fabric of the show. News of the affair, dubbed “Scandoval” by the public, broke on March 3, confirming long-standing suspicions and igniting a firestorm of controversy. As the dramatic fallout continues to unfold, new reports suggest that Tom Sandoval, 39, is actively attempting to manipulate the narrative, even going so far as to demand a reshoot of a crucial scene involving him and Raquel Leviss, 28, who was previously a close friend to Sandoval’s then-girlfriend, Ariana Madix.

According to a bombshell report by Page Six, Tom and Raquel were not only caught in a romantic entanglement but also captured on camera sharing a kiss. This pivotal moment reportedly took place during filming on Saturday, March 4, at Raquel’s North Hollywood apartment, just a day after the cheating scandal became public knowledge and led to Tom and Ariana’s devastating breakup. The confirmation that these intimate moments were being filmed came directly from Andy Cohen, the executive producer of the Real Housewives franchise and host of Watch What Happens Live, during the March 6 episode of his Sirius XM show, Radio Andy. This on-camera interaction immediately heightened the stakes, transforming a personal betrayal into a public spectacle destined to play out on national television, much to the dismay of Ariana and the shock of millions of viewers.

Adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding drama, Tom was photographed arriving at Raquel’s apartment on the evening of March 4. While TMZinitially reported that this visit occurred after filming hours, suggesting a personal, non-production-related rendezvous, Tom’s representative quickly offered a conflicting account. In a statement released to E! News on March 7, the rep asserted that Tom’s presence at Raquel’s residence was “for filming purposes.” The statement clarified, “Tom had a call time to shoot at her place. He left through another exit after the scene.” This discrepancy sparked further speculation among fans and media, questioning the true nature of Tom’s visit and highlighting the immediate public relations efforts to control the narrative surrounding the rapidly escalating scandal. The insistence on a “filming purpose” and a “different exit” suggested a calculated move to manage perceptions amidst intense scrutiny.

However, the drama surrounding the filmed interaction didn’t end with a public statement. Following the completion of the scene at Raquel’s apartment, Tom Sandoval reportedly experienced a significant change of heart. An insider revealed to Entertainment Tonight on March 7 that “Tom wasn’t happy with how the scene went with Raquel and felt like it was going to paint him in a negative light.” In a move that underscores his apparent desperation to salvage his public image, Sandoval reportedly approached producers with an audacious demand: he “told producers he’d like to re-film the scene.” This request, however, was met with a firm refusal, as the insider stated, “producers weren’t having it.” Unwilling to back down, Tom then escalated his demands, reportedly issuing a stern ultimatum to production, threatening that he “would no longer shoot Vanderpump Rules if they don’t listen to him.” This bold stance highlights the power struggle between reality TV personalities and the production teams that capture their lives, revealing Tom’s attempt to exert control over the narrative and minimize the damage to his reputation, even at the risk of jeopardizing his role on the highly popular show.

This isn’t the first time Tom Sandoval has seemingly attempted to manipulate filming or avoid unflattering storylines. Former Vanderpump Rules star Jax Taylor, 43, known for his own tumultuous past on the show, echoed this sentiment in a since-deleted tweet from March 7. In his tweet, which quickly circulated online before being removed, Jax slammed Sandoval, stating, “Funny he’s now refusing to film as he did the exact same thing when the miami girl was in town…” This pointed comment refers to a notorious incident from the third season of VPR, which provides significant historical context to Tom’s current actions. During that season, Tom’s ex-girlfriend and former co-star, Kristen Doute, then 40, confronted Ariana Madix, 37, with allegations that Tom had cheated on her during a trip to Miami. The woman involved became famously known as the “Miami Girl.” Despite Kristen’s insistent warnings and attempts to present evidence, Ariana, deeply trusting of Tom at the time, dismissed the accusations, stating she was “not worried” about the situation. Kristen, however, continued to press the issue, convinced of Tom’s infidelity and determined to expose what she believed was the truth. The parallels between Tom’s alleged past behavior during the “Miami Girl” saga and his current efforts to control the “Scandoval” narrative are striking, suggesting a pattern of denial and image management that has been a consistent feature of his public persona.

WHAT pic.twitter.com/V2b3pXIZA4

— samantha bush (@takeyourzoloft) March 7, 2023

The “Miami Girl” scandal reached its peak when Kristen Doute, still insistent on exposing Tom’s supposed infidelity, took dramatic measures. In an effort to force Tom to admit his wrongdoing, she brought the actual “Miami Girl” onto the show, setting up a highly confrontational scene that tested the boundaries of trust within the group. Despite the direct confrontation and the woman’s presence, Tom vehemently denied any wrongdoing. He maintained his innocence with unwavering conviction, arguing at the time, “There are no texts between me and this Miami girl that prove anything more than a social hangout in a group setting went down. The obvious reason is because absolutely nothing happened! Kristen is lying or at the very least reaching for something that doesn’t exist.” This categorical denial, later revealed to be a pattern in his relationships, mirrors his initial attempts to downplay his connection with Raquel Leviss before the full extent of “Scandoval” was unveiled. The re-emergence of the “Miami Girl” narrative now, years later, highlights a disturbing consistency in Tom Sandoval’s behavior when faced with accusations of infidelity, painting a clearer picture of his character and his long-standing tendency to gaslight and deceive those closest to him.

In the wake of “Scandoval,” an unexpected but profoundly moving display of solidarity emerged. Kristen Doute showed powerful support for Ariana, providing comfort during what was undoubtedly a heartbreaking and publicly humiliating time for her former rival. This show of support was particularly significant given Kristen and Ariana’s tumultuous history, largely centered around their past relationships with Tom Sandoval. Kristen posted a heartfelt video on Instagram, featuring an emotional exchange where she kissed Ariana on both the lips and cheek, a poignant gesture of reconciliation and unwavering friendship. In the clip, Kristen passionately declared, “I stan Ariana. This is in real time. I love you so much.” Before leaning in for the comforting smooch, she added with fierce loyalty, “I love you more than anything in the whole wide world, and I’ll kill people for you.” This powerful declaration not only underscored the depth of her support but also signaled a complete shift in their dynamic, transforming a former animosity into a bond forged in shared experience and mutual protection. It served as a stark reminder that while Tom Sandoval’s actions had shattered Ariana’s world, they had also inadvertently united her with unexpected allies.

View this post on InstagramA post shared by kristendoute 🦋🤟🏽 (@kristendoute)

The intense public interest and the dramatic nature of “Scandoval” have ignited rumors about a potential return for Kristen Doute toVanderpump Rules. While Kristen was fired from the show in 2020 alongside Stassi Schroeder due to past racially insensitive actions, the current scandal has presented a unique opportunity for her to re-enter the fold. An insider shared with PEOPLE on March 6 that “Vanderpump Rules producers have approached Kristen to come back on the show to talk about this.” Her return would be particularly compelling because of her deep, intricate history with both Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix. Kristen has experienced her “fair share of ups and downs with Sandoval over the years,” enduring his betrayals firsthand and navigating the complexities of their love triangle. This unique perspective positions her as an invaluable commentator on the current situation, offering insights that few others could provide. Crucially, the source emphasized that “right now she’s completely supporting Ariana,” indicating that any potential return would be driven by a desire to stand by her friend and perhaps even confront Tom about his consistent patterns of behavior. Her presence could offer a cathartic moment for Ariana and provide viewers with a sense of poetic justice, as Kristen, who was once dismissed and gaslit by Tom, now has the chance to validate Ariana’s pain and hold Tom accountable on a national platform. This potential comeback could significantly boost ratings and provide a crucial narrative arc for the show, transforming Kristen from a persona non grata to a pivotal figure in one of reality TV’s most talked-about scandals.