Even hardcore “Vanderpump Rules'” fans were shocked at the “Scandoval” affair this season — an affair which lit up social media, brought in curious new viewers, and will culminate with what is being teased as bombshell finale.
Social media exploded with excitement and excitement when Raquel Leviss, a series regular, and Tom Sandoval (quickly dubbed Scandoval) revealed their secret relationship.
The Bravo series’ producers, who are now in their tenth year, did not know about the affair, but they quickly took advantage of the interest of the audience. The tryst was revealed in the final episode of the season but the three-part reunion focused almost exclusively on its aftermath.
In the last five minutes of Wednesday’s episode, the third part of “Vanderpump Rules,” reunion will be revealed in a dramatic way.
What you need to understand about one of pop culture’s hottest topics.
What is “Vanderpump Rules?”
“Vanderpump Rules”, as it is known, is a spinoff of Bravo’s popular “Real Housewives”. Bravo is owned and operated by NBCUniversal which also owns NBC News.
The show, which premiered in 2013, followed the young and attractive staff at Lisa Vanderpump’s bars and restaurants in Los Angeles.
Vanderpump was a member of the cast of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”, until in 2019. She quit, claiming that it was “emotionally challenging.”
The former “housewife”, however, had already been appointed executive producer of the “Vanderpump Rules”. She also opened three businesses that were featured in the show, including SUR Restaurant & Lounge and Pump Restaurant.
The focus of the show remained her staff, and their complicated relationships.
Who are the main players in Scandoval?
Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval and other “Vanderpump Rules'” stars had been dating for nine years when Scandoval was announced in March.
Sandoval was one of the founding members of “Vanderpump Rules,” while Madix joined during the second season. Sandoval dated Kristen Doute, a former cast member at the time Madix was added to the show.
Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix at the “Vanderpump Rules Season 10 Premiere Party.”
Todd Williamson / Bravo
According to the official storyline of the show, Doute cheated Sandoval during Season 2, and Sandoval began dating Madix after he broke up with Doute. Madix and Sandoval started dating in 2014, despite their own allegations of cheating. They remained together for nine long years.
They purchased a house together, promoted their cocktail recipe book and seemed to be planning their future together.
She and Kennedy were engaged in May 2021, but broke up just months later. She and Kennedy got engaged in May of 2021 but split up just a few months later. They announced through a joint statement they were no more in love.
In recent years, Leviss appeared to have a real friendship with Madix both on-screen and off. Madix and Sandoval were present when Kennedy proposed to Leviss.
What is Scandoval and how was it discovered?
Madix held Sandoval’s phone as he entered the stage at his Los Angeles concert with his band to celebrate his single.
Madix narrates in the finale of the show that she felt the sudden urge to check her phone. She found a screen capture of Sandoval on FaceTime with Leviss. It is implied that the video was sexually explicit.
Leviss, along with Scheana shay and other cast members of Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live”, was in New York City at the time. Madix called Leviss immediately after discovering the discovery, to hear his explanation.
“Raquel walks up to me, and I’m all like ‘What’s going on? ‘” Shay spoke in the finale of the show. “She looked at me nonchalantly and said, ‘Yeah. Sandoval and myself have been having an amour for seven months. Ariana only found out.
Scandoval was quickly a sensation on the internet after TMZ reported the news two days later.
The tenth season of “Vanderpump Rules”, which had just finished filming, had only a few episodes aired at that time. The showrunners scrambled reportedly to restart production to capture the aftermath of the episode for viewers.
According to Variety , the episode had a high rating for a reality show. It received a total of 4.1 million views in three days across live cable television, on-demand TV, and streaming.
Madix said to Sandoval at the end of the game, “I would have died for you if I had to.” “I also had her back. It’s one of the most disgusting, god-awful things I have ever heard that she smiled in my face and also on FaceTime while talking to you. I regret ever loving you.”
The relationship between Sandoval, Leviss and Madix is said to have ended in May 2023 after reports that they had broken up.
Sandoval tried to explain why he had the affair. He said that his relationship with Madix has been strained for several months, and that there is “zero intimacy.” He appeared to blame Madix at one point in the finale for not catching Sandoval.
He claimed that Madix had threatened self-harm if he tried to break up from her. Madix denied this claim.
What’s the big reveal for Wednesday?
Scandoval is yet to come to its conclusion on air, despite rumors that Leviss and Sandoval have split up. Bravo teased that Wednesday’s third and final reunion will feature a shocking revelation in the last five minutes.
Fans have been speculating on what this season could bring to the drama.
Others believe that the surprise will focus on Leviss. They think she could be pregnant or “hooking up”, with both her former fiance Sandoval and Leviss at the same. Some guesses, however, are more benign. They include the possibility that Lisa Vanderpump will be leaving the show.
Page Six reported in May , that Alex Baskin, the show’s executive director,, said the twist could have a significant impact on whether or not some cast members return to the show.
Molly Schwartz and Rob Schulte, “Vanderpump Rules,” experts, believe that the reveal will have to do with the show’s logistics. For example announcing the spinoff. Schulte, the host and producer for the “Vanderpump Robs,” podcast, often co-hosts it with Schwartz. Schwartz is also the producer of WNYC’s “On The Media.”
Schulte said, “I think that logistically it makes sense for Bravo to ring the doorbell and cash as many check as they can so they can divide this into two episodes.” It would be a huge deal, and Lisa Vanderpump will say there is too much fighting. I need to start a new show.
Schwartz speculated that it could be Scandoval’s shocking content. “People don’t want the show to continue,” he said.
Schwartz stated, “I think the popular myth is that Raquel started her affair with Sandoval before Raquel broke up with James.” “I don’t know… I’m not sure. As much as I’d love to think it was about the drama, it seems to me that it’s more of a logistical thing.”
Why is there such interest?
It is not the first scandal to unfold on reality TV — or on “Vanderpump Rules.” And it is unlikely to the last. This scandal has been dominating pop culture for several weeks.
Sandoval’s fellow cast members, who were also called out on their infidelity, expressed their anger and disappointment in the final and first two parts of the reunion.
Scandoval’s not unique even in the “Vanderpump Universe” – who cares?
Schulte explained that “Vanderpump Rules'” appeal is partly due to the fact that the cast was originally made up of young people who were trying to make it in the service industries. This group has become more relatable as compared with other Bravo reality series.
Schulte explained that Madix has been the audience proxy in the show. She is seen as the more grounded side of the relationship between Sandoval and the flamboyant Sandoval.
Schulte replied, “So we trust her.” “And to see that it’s not just a casual affair… you know, this was a calculated affair which took place for months against the proxy audience.” It is a very emotional issue and many people are affected by it.
Schwartz said that the audience has been watching the relationships between the cast members grow over a period of 10 years. Audiences were able to understand the stakes of these friendships that seemed genuine, not just for the main characters, but for the whole group.
Schwartz stated, “Sometimes it feels like people have an almost judging attitude towards reality television.” “And I’m like, no, you don’t understand. The same thing that makes Jane Austen’s novels so great also makes this show. It’s just like a glance between people that means everything. It’s about capturing human relationships.
The viewers could also watch the rest of the series knowing that the affair had taken place, “so they could see the lies unfold on camera,” Schulte explained. Schulte called “Vanderpump Rules,” a new-generation’s version of the 1992 hit melodrama “Melrose Place.”
Schulte stated that “Scandoval is exactly the high-drama moment like the season 3 finale of Melrose Place where Kimberly destroys Melrose Place… Someone actually planted an explosion in the place where everybody hangs out.” This is a real-life emotional explosion with real-life fallout.
