The Unfolding Drama: Tom Sandoval Reacts to Raquel Leviss’s Instagram Block and the Enduring Legacy of Scandoval
The saga of “Scandoval” continues to captivate audiences, with new chapters unfolding in the lives of its central figures. Recently, Vanderpump Rules alum Raquel Leviss (now embracing her birth name, Rachel) celebrated her 29th birthday on September 12. What might have been a quiet personal milestone quickly became public fodder when her former flame, Tom Sandoval, extended an unexpected birthday greeting. However, Leviss’s response was swift and definitive: she blocked Sandoval on Instagram. This digital snub, publicly showcased by Leviss, ignited a fresh round of commentary, with Sandoval himself weighing in on the perceived immaturity of the gesture.
Speaking to People on September 13 while promoting FOX’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Testseason 2, the 40-year-old reality star didn’t mince words regarding Raquel’s social media move. “Obviously, I think it’s a little immature and petty,” Tom stated. He further added, critiquing the public nature of the action, “To post that your blocking seems a bit thirsty.” This candid reaction from Sandoval underscores the unresolved tension and lingering hurt between the two, even months after their scandalous affair rocked the Bravoverse.
Tom’s Perspective: A Plea for Peace or a Misguided Attempt?
Tom Sandoval’s decision to reach out to Raquel on her birthday, he claimed, stemmed from a place of genuine concern and a desire for her well-being. “I wanted to just send her some love, let her know that happy birthday, whatever,” Tom explained, attempting to frame his action as an olive branch rather than an intrusion. His comments suggest a lingering sense of responsibility or perhaps guilt regarding the tumultuous events that transpired. He expressed a degree of empathy for Leviss’s current struggles, stating, “I just kind of feel bad for her, in a way.”
However, this empathy was quickly coupled with a critical assessment of her post-scandal conduct. “I don’t understand. I think she’s really struggling with taking accountability for her actions and just wants to point fingers and be mad at everybody else,” Sandoval lamented. This sentiment echoes a common theme in the aftermath of high-profile controversies: the delicate and often contentious process of assigning blame and accepting responsibility. From Tom’s viewpoint, the “Scandoval” was a shared transgression. “There were two of us in this situation. We both screwed up,” he reiterated, implying that the public narrative, which largely cast him as the villain and Raquel as his accomplice, perhaps oversimplified the complexities of their affair.
The desire for “closure” also emerged as a significant point for Sandoval. He revealed that despite their public breakup and Raquel’s absence from Vanderpump Rules Season 11, there was no definitive end to their personal conversations. “It sucks. We never had any sort of closure. I had a conversation with her that ended very much in a way of, ‘All right, well, I’ll talk to you in the next few days,’ and that was it,” he explained. This lack of a final conversation, according to Sandoval, leaves an emotional void, a sentiment many can relate to after a significant relationship ends abruptly or under strained circumstances. He even admitted to trying to reach her publicist “multiple times” during filming, highlighting his persistent, albeit unreciprocated, attempts to establish some form of communication or understanding.
Raquel’s Retaliation: The Instagram Block Heard ‘Round the Internet
Raquel Leviss, or Rachel as she prefers to be called now, spent her 29th birthday in a seemingly serene manner, sharing an Instagram video of herself exploring a picturesque flower farm. Her caption, “I’ve been dreaming of a place like this,” conveyed a sense of seeking tranquility and escape from the public storm she had endured. It was on this video that Tom Sandoval chose to leave his birthday message: “Happy Birthday Rachel, I really hope ur finding peace and happiness. Miss u friend.”
What followed was an immediate and public rejection of Sandoval’s overture. Leviss posted a screenshot of Tom’s Instagram account on her Stories, starkly displaying that she had blocked him. Accompanying the image were the curt words, “OK Bye.” This very public action, which Sandoval later labeled as “thirsty,” served as a clear message: Leviss was not interested in reconnecting, nor was she willing to silently acknowledge his presence. Her decision to make the block public suggests a desire to control her narrative and perhaps send a definitive signal to both Sandoval and her followers that she is moving on and setting boundaries. The shift back to her birth name, Rachel, is another significant indicator of her journey to reclaim her identity and distance herself from the “Raquel” persona intertwined with the Scandoval controversy.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Rachel Leviss (@raquelleviss)
The Lingering Shadow of “Scandoval”
To fully grasp the current dynamic between Tom and Raquel, one must revisit the seismic event that irrevocably altered their lives and the landscape of reality television: “Scandoval.” The affair, a months-long secret liaison between Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss while Sandoval was in a nearly decade-long relationship with Ariana Madix, exploded into public consciousness in early March. The revelation sent shockwaves through the Vanderpump Rules cast and its devoted fanbase, leading to an unprecedented level of media scrutiny and public outrage.
The highly anticipated Season 10 reunion became a battleground where the raw emotions of the cast were laid bare. Ariana Madix, the primary victim of the betrayal, confronted Raquel with searing accusations, famously labeling her “diabolical,” “demented,” and “subhuman.” The reunion initially showcased a united front between Tom and Raquel, as they attempted to navigate the onslaught of criticism. However, the facade crumbled days later when Raquel, in a private interview with production, threw Tom “under the bus,” exposing further layers of his deceit. She revealed that their affair included multiple sexual encounters at Scheana Shay’s wedding in Mexico, and even more shockingly, at Tom and Ariana’s shared home while Ariana was away attending her grandmother’s funeral. These revelations further solidified public opinion against Sandoval and amplified the sense of betrayal.
Raquel’s Post-Scandal Journey: From Treatment to “Healing Era”
In the wake of the reunion’s intense fallout, Raquel checked herself into a mental health facility for treatment in April. This decision highlighted the immense psychological toll the scandal had taken on her, as she became a target of widespread public vitriol. While in treatment, news broke that Raquel and Tom had officially broken up, further cementing the end of their controversial relationship.
After a two-month stay, Raquel checked out of the facility and made the significant decision not to return to filmVanderpump Rulesseason 11. Her departure from the show marked a definitive step away from the environment that had been both the stage and the catalyst for her personal crisis. She broke her silence on Bethenny Frankel’s podcast, where she candidly discussed the scandal and her experience getting treatment. During the interview, Raquel articulated her complex feelings about reality television, revealing the pressure to perform and the lasting impact of her on-camera mistakes. “My mistakes that I’ve made on camera live on forever,” she stated, emphasizing the permanence of her public blunders. She also spoke to the manipulative aspects of reality TV production, noting how the promise of “telling your side of the story” can lure stars back despite the personal cost. “And that’s terrifying. So I almost went back, I know just because of that.”
Further solidifying her break from her past, Raquel deleted all her Instagram pictures with her former co-stars and unfollowed all of them, including Tom. She also updated her Instagram bio, which initially read, “Becoming a better person… one day at a time,” and now states, “Healing Era.” These actions demonstrate a clear intent to cleanse her digital footprint and focus on personal recovery, unburdened by past associations and the pressures of the Bravo spotlight.
Tom Sandoval’s Path Forward: Reality TV and Personal Reflection
While Raquel has chosen to retreat from the direct glare of reality television, Tom Sandoval remains firmly entrenched in the spotlight. He has largely avoided speaking about Raquel directly while filming the next season of VPR, navigating the tricky waters of a shared history that is both recent and explosive. His living situation with Ariana Madix remains a subject of fascination: they still reside in the same house, but both have made it unequivocally clear that their romantic relationship is nonexistent, both on and off camera.
Beyond Vanderpump Rules, Tom has sought other avenues for personal challenge and perhaps public redemption. He is slated to appear on season 2 of FOX’s Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test. The trailer for the show offered a glimpse into his motivations and the raw emotional state he carries. “The whole country’s pissed off at me,” Tom says in the trailer, acknowledging the immense public backlash he faced. He candidly admits his transgression, stating, “I had an affair and want to take a beating.” The trailer dramatically showcases the physical and emotional intensity of the program, with the TomTom co-owner depicted with a bloody nose and bruised face, seemingly after a physical confrontation with another contestant. This participation suggests a desire to undergo a form of penance, seeking physical and mental fortitude in the face of public condemnation and personal turmoil.
The Unresolved Aftermath: Closure or Continued Distance?
The recent Instagram interaction between Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss vividly illustrates the profound challenges of achieving closure in the wake of such a public and painful breakup. While Tom expresses a desire for peace and reconciliation, or at least a final conversation, Raquel’s actions clearly signal a need for distance and self-preservation. Her “OK Bye” is not just a digital block; it’s a declaration of independence from the narrative that has defined her for months.
The “Scandoval” has evolved beyond a mere reality TV scandal; it has become a cultural phenomenon, a case study in betrayal, public shaming, and the often-brutal consequences of personal choices played out on a global stage. Both Tom and Raquel are navigating their healing journeys, albeit through vastly different approaches. Tom seeks a form of external validation or punishment through challenging reality shows, while Raquel has opted for internal healing and a complete withdrawal from the scrutiny that once defined her. As Vanderpump Rules continues and Tom’s journey on Special Forces unfolds, the public will undoubtedly remain fixated on the lingering fallout, eager to see if true closure, peace, or a lasting sense of accountability can ever be achieved by any of the parties involved.