Ariana Madix could not stand for Raquel Leviss’ bullying by other Vanderpump Rules co-stars months before Tom Sandoval’s cheating scandal. In a new episode of the Bravo series, the 37-year-old came to Ariana’s defense after the other women called her out for only showing interest in other people’s husbands amid a spat with Lala Kent.
The episode showed Ariana trying to make peace between Lala and Raquel after the ugly turn of their girls’ trip to Arizona, which played out in the previous episode. In a confessional, Ariana admitted she could not wrap her head around Raquel’s insistence on fighting the other women and being crazy about their “mean girls” comments. According to her, the girls, [Katie Maloney, Lala Kent, and Kristina Kelly] simply treated her the same mean way they have treated others in the past.
Vanderpump Rules’ Ariana Madix Slams Mean Comment Against Raquel Leviss
Elsewhere in the episode, Ariana Madix attempted to make Lala see reason with Raquel Leviss after she called her a mistress for sleeping with her ex, James Kennedy, while they were still dating. She said:
“I’m not down with ‘mistress’ comment, but I do feel like there is some unresolved sh—t about the you and James stuff.”
However, Lala wasn’t having it. In her defense, the 32-year-old pointed out that they already moved on from her and James’ hookup. Katie quickly added that Raquel needed to have her head checked, to which Ariana shot back, saying, “that’s mean.”
Notably, the filming of the episode took place several months back, long before Ariana Madix discovered the affair between Raquel Leviss and her now ex-partner Tom Sandoval. The affair, now termed “Scandoval,” came to light in March 2023 and has since led the show’s ratings to skyrocket, as most anticipate how the drama would play out.
While Bravo has capitalized on the scandal, centering the remaining episodes of Vanderpump Rules season 10 around Raquel Leviss, the 28-year-old former beauty pageant contestant has emerged as the season’s villain. Her relationship with Ariana has since soured, with most of the other cast members also slamming her actions. Seeing as Ariana attempted to stand up for Raquel on various occasions in the past, getting stabbed in the back is certainly more than a betrayal. To what extent is left to be seen in the Vanderpump Rules‘ season 10 reunion.