Somebody seriously needs to put a muzzle on Tom Sandoval. The dude’s just spewing the most horrible and inappropriate things. Now Rachel Leviss is calling out her former paramour for publicly discussing her mental state in the wake of Scandoval.
In December 2023, Sandoval told Teddi Mellencamp and Tamra Judge that he and Rachel had considered taking their lives. “[We were] on the phone … literally debating on f*cking killing ourselves,” he said on Two Ts in a Pod.
On the February 18 episode of Rachel Goes Rogue, the Vanderpump Rules alum accused Sandy of sharing private information about her mental state in multiple interviews following the discovery of their affair. The overwhelming backlash from the situation resulted in Rachel spending several weeks in a mental health treatment facility.
Tom had no right to share Rachel’s mental state
“It is not OK for somebody else to tell other people that they have expressed feelings of not wanting to live anymore,” the former pageant queen said. “Tom already brought this up about me on Tamra and Teddi’s podcast … This is a vulnerable topic, a vulnerable position for me to be sharing with you, and you’re telling Teddi and Tamra and whoever else is listening to this popular podcast that I have had dark thoughts?'”
Rachel also accused Tom of misrepresenting their conversation during his podcast. “The way that he said it … made it seem like we had a suicide pact like it was some sort of Romeo and Juliet love story,” she explained. “That really angered me. [It’s] not OK to be discussing that personal, emotional, turmoil state of mind with the rest of the world, and now it’s a topic of conversation. That really crossed a boundary.”
Rachel also expressed disappointment in the way Pump Rules has handled her mental health struggles on the show. Though she approved of the mental health disclaimer run in the end credits with the suicide hotline, she was not happy with the show’s lack of concern for her mental health at the time.
“I’m just so grateful that I was able to get the mental health treatment that I needed so desperately,” she admitted. ‘That place really saved me and helped me to get out of this chaotic world.”
Protecting her mental health
Following her treatment, Rachel chose not to return to VPR. She felt it was better to step away from the unhealthy environment of both the cast and the show.
Rachel also thought Tom discussing her mental health on camera was “strategic.” He was portraying himself as her defender and a hero when he really wasn’t. She ultimately “ghosted” him in order to avoid his efforts to win her back.
“I’d been advised that would be the best way for me to end it,” she said. “If I tried to explain the reasons why I’m breaking up with him, he would figure out a way to get back into my good graces.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for 24/7 support.
Vanderpump Rules airs Tuesdays at 8/7c on Bravo.
TELL US – DO YOU FEEL SANDOVAL CROSSED A SENSITIVE BOUNDARY WITH RACHEL?
