Former “Vanderpump Rules” co-stars Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval are fighting back against allegations made by Rachel Leviss, denying claims that they shared sexually explicit videos of Leviss without her consent. Leviss filed a lawsuit in February accusing Madix and Sandoval of eavesdropping, revenge porn, invasion of privacy, and emotional distress. Madix and Sandoval filed separate responses in Los Angeles County Superior Court last week, denying the allegations.
Madix, 38, filed a declaration requesting that the court dismiss Leviss’ complaint under California’s anti-SLAPP law. She refuted claims that she distributed sexually explicit videos of Leviss without her consent, stating that she only saw the videos in private locations and did not share them with anyone else. Madix discovered the videos on Sandoval’s phone and later confronted him about it, leading to a confrontation where Sandoval deleted the videos from her phone.
Sandoval, 40, also filed a response to Leviss’ lawsuit, denying the allegations of recording sexually explicit clips of Leviss without her consent. He claimed that the videos were created and shared by Leviss during FaceTime calls, and he only saved private copies of them. Sandoval’s motion requested the court to dismiss Leviss’ complaint and strike her request for special compensatory damages, citing deficient allegations in the lawsuit.
Legal representatives for Leviss did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the responses filed by Madix and Sandoval. In a statement shared with People, Leviss’ attorneys criticized Sandoval’s response, calling it an attempt to garner media attention and perpetuate victim-blaming. They maintained that they have irrefutable evidence to support Leviss’ claims and expressed their intent to present it in court.
The scandal, known as “Scandoval” among fans of the reality TV show, originated from tabloid reports revealing Leviss had been involved with Sandoval, who was Madix’s longtime boyfriend. The lawsuit filed by Leviss accuses Madix and Sandoval of informing the cast and production team of the sexually explicit videos, leading to a legal battle between the former co-stars. The court is expected to review the responses from Madix and Sandoval and make a decision regarding Leviss’ lawsuit.
The allegations and responses surrounding the “Vanderpump Rules” scandal highlight the complex dynamics of reality television and personal relationships. The legal battle between Madix, Sandoval, and Leviss underscores the consequences of sharing private and explicit content without consent, as well as the impact of tabloid scandals on individuals’ lives. As the case progresses in court, the former co-stars continue to defend themselves against the accusations, seeking to clear their names and protect their reputations amidst the ongoing controversy.
