While Ariana Madix is living her best life, shepherding young singles through romantic turmoil in Fiji, some of her former coworkers are evidently not capable of moving on from the forever dark cloud that is Scandoval. The cheating scandal that broke the Bravoverse entered the legal realm earlier in 2024, when Rachel Leviss filed a civil suit against both Tom Sandoval and Ariana for “producing and distributing revenge porn against her.” This refers to sexually explicit videos Rachel says Tom recorded without her consent, that she further alleges “scorned woman” Ariana Madix “distributed, disseminated and discussed publicly by a scorned woman seeking vengeance, catalyzing the scandal.” The internet certainly seemed to be most fixated on peeling back the layers of deceit that happened right under ours and Ariana’s noses far more than how Ariana found out about the cheating, but point taken. Unfortunately, it looks like the dramatic Vanderpump Rules legal battle is far from over despite Ariana’s attempts to move on. This time, Tom Sandoval (worm who cheated) is suing Ariana Madix (the woman who was cheated on) for the video referred to in Rachel’s lawsuit. What is the basis of his lawsuit? Here’s the latest Tom Sandoval/Ariana Madix/Rachel Leviss lawsuit explained.
Update: Tom Sandoval has withdrawn his lawsuit against Ariana Madix
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In true Sandoval form, reality TV’s most repetitive villain is now completely walking back his claim against Ariana and blaming the whole thing on someone else. Tom bravely reactivated his Instagram account in the wake of yet another dramatic uproar of outrage to release a statement explaining himself. In said statement, Tom claims that his “attorney, Matt Geragos, whose advice [he] trusted” called Sandoval on Tuesday to “urge” him to “agree” to the “Cross-Complaint in the lawsuit against myself and Ariana” which his lawyer presented as “customary and strictly preventative.” Tom insists the words “new lawsuit or suing were not articulated” to him and thus he had no idea the implications since he neglected to complete “his due diligence on the matter.” It might be a little bit easier to buy that Tom didn’t realize he was attempting to legally punish Ariana for going through his phone if both he and his girlfriend Victoria hadn’t already deactivated their Instagrams when news of the suit broke, but okay sir. To make up for the faux pas, Tom has fired the lawyer from his team so he and Ariana can “both finally MOVE ON with [their] lives.” I truly believe that we as a unanimously unified nation are desperately in agreeance that Tom Sandoval leaving Ariana Madix alone is long, long overdue.
Why is Tom Sandoval suing Ariana?
In court records obtained by Us Weekly, Sandoval’s lawsuit claims Ariana “obtained access” to his phone without his prior “authorization or permission” and following that made “copies” of the alleged revenge porn video of Rachel which she distributed to “Leviss and third parties,” also without his permission. Fellas, is it a legal offense for your girlfriend to catch you cheating? Seriously, I’m no legal expert, but it is pretty curious that millions of men across the globe haven’t previously sued their ex-wives and girlfriends for catching them red-handed this way, if so.
How did Ariana respond to Sandoval’s lawsuit?
Ariana’s lawyers responded just as aggressively to Tom’s huge accusations. Their statement to Us says “It is abhorrent that Tom Sandoval continues to torment Ms. Madix. From engaging in an illicit affair that shattered her home and stability, to months of emotional warfare and now this attempt to further shirk personal responsibility for the effects his actions have had on her and her emotional wellbeing.” The statement goes on to assert that “For Mr. Sandoval to go from begging Ms. Madix for forgiveness to blaming her for his wrongdoing speaks for itself. Even months after the New York Times branded Mr. Sandoval ‘the most hated man in America,’ he has clearly learned nothing and believes it necessary to continue torturing Ms. Madix in a vain effort to rehabilitate his image.” It is true that during the season 10 reunion of Vanderpump Rules, Tom appeared to offer a tearful, unqualified apology to Ariana for destroying their relationship in a way “she never deserved.” It appears that all that accountability has flown out the window, along with his Instagram account which is now deleted. Is it too soon to make fun of Scheana for saying we should’ve given this rehabilitated angel another chance?
Was Ariana allowed to look at Tom’s phone?
Ariana’s initial accounts of discovering the video state she was given Tom’s phone by Tom himself during a performance where she supported his cover band, The Most Extras, presumably with a straight face on. The statement from Ariana’s lawyers includes their claim that “Tom Sandoval knows full well what sort of privileges he and Ms. Madix shared in regard to their personal communication devices. If he or his mistress had their way, it would be illegal for someone to discover their spouse or significant other was having an affair.” While we don’t wish a lengthy trial on Ariana, her team insisting that “Ms. Madix is confident that a jury will see through this latest ploy and dismiss his frivolous claims,” implies they’re extremely confident her version of events will finally put this whole situation to bed.
