In March 2023, news broke thatVanderpump Rulesstar Tom Sandoval, who was dating Ariana Madix, had an affair with their friend Raquel Leviss Sandoval and Madix had been together for nearly nine years The three of them addressed the scandal during theVanderpump Rulesseason 10 reunion Whether you're a Bravo fan, a social media scroller or even just mildly online, you've likely heard the phrase "Scandoval." In March 2023, news broke thatVanderpump RulesstarTom Sandovalhad beenhaving an affairwith his costarRaquel Leviss, despite being in a nearlynine-year relationshipwith his girlfriendAriana Madix. At the time, sources told PEOPLE that Madix was "completely blindsided," and that "devastated doesn't even scratch the surface of how she feels." The show's season 10 finale aired two months later, including a scene in which the now-Love Island USAhost explained to her friendsKatie MaloneyandScheana Shayhow she found out Sandoval had cheated on her — and revealed that the affair had been going on for seven months. Sandoval and Leviss later opened up about the months-long affair and apologized but it wasn't quickly forgotten. Since the cheating drama made headlines, Sandoval has largely been associated with the scandal, as it was mentioned during his stint on Peacock'sThe Traitors, as well as his audition forAmerica's Got Talentthat premiered on June 24. Ahead of his audition, he admitted to the cameras, "A couple of years ago,I made some really bad choices. I was involved in a very bad cheating scandal, and I let down a lot of people. It pretty much destroyed my life." From how Ariana Madix found out about the affair to what Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss said in response, here's everything to know about theVanderpump Rulescheating scandal. Sandoval joined theVanderpump Rulescast when the show premiered on Bravo in January 2013. He went from bartender at SUR to co-owner of TomTom, which he operated withKen Todd,Lisa VanderpumpandTom Schwartzbefore it closed in November 2024. He's also involved in a men's cosmetics venture, acts and is the lead singer of the cover band Tom Sandoval & the Most Extras. In November 2013, Madix joined theVanderpump Rulescast for season 2. Prior to that, she worked as a bartender at Vanderpump's Beverly Hills restaurant Villa Blanca before she was transferred to SUR. There, she became co-workers and castmates with theVanderpump Rulescrew. Outside of the reality show, she holds several film acting credits to her name. (In the months after the scandal, Madix went on to make herBroadway debutinChicago, place in third onDancing with the Starsseason 32 andbecome hostof the hit Peacock dating show,Love Island USA.) Leviss first appeared onVanderpump Ruleswhen Kennedy introduced her as his girlfriend during a season 5 episode in November 2016. The two revealed they got engaged as filming for season 9 began in May 2021. However, two months after their proposal aired in October 2021,they announced they had split. While it's unclear exactly when Sandoval and Madix first met during their time serving drinks at Villa Blanca, viewersfirst saw them connectwhen she joined the season 2 cast ofVanderpump Rulesduring the summer of 2013. The pair later confirmed their relationship at theVanderpump Rulesseason 2 reunion in 2014. Earlier in the season, Sandoval's then-girlfriendKristen Douteaccused him of cheating on her with Madix, which both Sandoval and Madix denied — though they did eventually acknowledge they'd shared a kiss. Tammie/AFF-USA/Shutterstock; Cindy Ord/Bravo via Getty Images; Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Images A source told PEOPLE that Madix found out about Sandoval's affair with Leviss in early March 2023. "They had been having problems for a while, but this was the final straw for Ariana," the insider said. "She put up with a lot over the years, but she won't sit back and be disrespected this way." "This has been going on for upwards of six months — all the while, Tom [Sandoval] was sleeping next to Ariana in bed," one insider told PEOPLE at the time, though Madix later confirmed it to be seven months. "She was completely blindsided by this; devastated doesn't even scratch the surface of how she feels." "This is someone she thought she knew; someone she planned to spend the rest of her life with. You can't even put into words that betrayal," the source added. In the months that followed,Vanderpump Rulescast members confirmed the affair. In the season 10 finale episode, Madix reveals that the affair between Sandoval and Leviss had been going on for seven months, beginning"right after the girls trip" toLas Vegas in August 2022around the time Madix's dog Charlotte died. Meanwhile, eagle-eyed fans have pointed out on TikTok that Sandoval and Leviss had beenwearing matching lightning bolt necklaces. In October 2022, Leviss was pictured sporting the chain at BravoCon, while Sandoval was seen wearing the necklace at the House of Barrie opening, as well as at theVanderpump Rulesseason 10 premiere in February 2023. Charles Sykes/Bravo via Getty Prior to Madix revealing how she found out about Sandoval cheating on her with Leviss, sources told PEOPLE that Madix first learned of the affair on March 1, 2023, when she supported Sandoval and his band during a performance in Los Angeles. According to the source, Madix discovereda video that was sexual in nature between Leviss and Sandovalon his phone as well as a "history of inappropriate texts." A second source told PEOPLE that Madix "thought" she and Leviss "were friends," adding, "This isn't something you do to a friend." In the season 10 finale episode, Madix opened up further about how she learned of the affair during a conversation with friends Maloney and Shay, beginning, "I went with Tom toTom Tombecause he had that party thing." "I found a screen recording of them on FaceTime," Madix said of Sandoval and Leviss. "It was literally from the night before. He was at [Tom] Schwartz's." From there, Madix explained that she confronted Leviss directly to get answers. "I called Raquel and I started like, making her like, f------ tell me what the f---? When did this start?" Madix continued. "She said, 'Right after the girls trip,' " around the time Madix's dog Charlotte died. "She said they kissed," Madix said of Leviss' side of the story. "Well, later that night when we were out here, I pressed Tom [Schwartz]. And he said, well, they actually f----- in her car that night. And he didn't have a key to get in so he had to ring the doorbell and I had to let him in," Madix continued. "My emotions were clearly all over the place and he was angry at me. Angry. Atme!" Madix concluded. In March 2023, PEOPLE confirmed thatSandoval and Madix broke upafter about nine years together. According to a source, Sandoval's affair with Leviss allegedly led to the split. "They had been having problems for a while, but this was the final straw for Ariana," the insider said. "She put up with a lot over the years, but she won't sit back and be disrespected this way." Despite their split, a rep for Sandoval told PEOPLE that they were still living together in their shared L.A. home, given that "they own the house togetherand what happens next with the property will take time to sort out." By May 2023,Madix had moved out of the home, despite still being a co-owner. In January 2024, PEOPLE obtained court documents that showed the former couple disagreed on the sale of the home, and Madix was reportedly hoping that they wouldsell it as a "partition by sale," meaning they would split the proceeds. The following month, Sandoval responded to Madix's lawsuit by alleging that she "fails to state sufficient facts to state a cause of action," and therefore he would be denying her request for "partition." During a May 2025 appearance onWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Madix confirmed that they had agreed to sell the shared home, though Sandoval still lives in it. "That is ongoing, but hopefully wrapping up soon," she said. One day after news of the scandal made headlines, Sandovalbroke his silenceon the affair. He shared a statement on Instagram about his split from Madix, asking fans to direct their anger away from his loved ones, including castmate, friend and business partner Schwartz. "Hey, I fully understand and deserve ur anger and disappointment towards me, but please leave Schwartz my friends and family out of this situation…," Sandoval wrote, noting that Schwartz "specifically only found out about this very recently, and most definitely did not condone my actions." "This was a very personal thing," Sandoval stated. He also asked fans to ease up on the negative comments being blasted on his bar and cocktail lounges, TomTom andSchwartz & Sandy's. "Schwartz & Sandy's might have my name on it, but also there are 3 other partners and 20 employees, who especially rely on the restaurant for income for them and their families," he said. "Just like TomTom, I'm a small part of a much bigger thing. Please direct ur anger towards me and not them. They did nothing wrong." Sandoval went on to apologize to his partners and his employees who "have to suffer for my actions," adding that he will be removing himself temporarily from the businesses. "I will be taking a step back & taking a hiatus out of respect for my employees & partners," he said. "I need some time to address everything else." He signed the note: "Sorry for everything." In November 2024, Schwartz announced to PEOPLE that TomTom was closing its doors. "Unfortunately, the current climate for this business is pretty rough," he said. "Recovering from all the negativity post-scandal wasn't easy, and the slimmer margins post-COVID made it even harder to bounce back. There's not a lot of room for error in the restaurant/bar business." Mindy Small/Getty; David Becker/Getty Less than a week after Madix learned of her then-boyfriend's affair with Leviss, Sandovalissued an apology to hervia Instagram. He addressed the end of their nine-year long relationship in astatement. "I want to first and foremost apologize to everyone I've hurt through this process," he began. "Most of all, I want to apologize to Ariana. I made mistakes, I was selfish, and made reckless decisions that hurt somebody I love. No one deserves to feel that pain so traumatically and publicly." He continued: "I can only imagine how devastating this has been for Ariana and everyone around us. I feel really horrible about that. My biggest regret is that I dishonored Ariana. I never meant to disappoint so many people, including our loving families and friends." Sandoval went on to reflect on his long relationship with Madix. "My love for Ariana was stronger than any camera could ever have captured," he said. "Some of our best times together were never filmed. The same goes for some of our biggest struggles. I wish things happened in a different order and our relationship was not severely tarnished, and that it ended with the same respect for her that it began with. I owed Ariana better." "I am beyond sad that it ended the way it did," his statement concluded. "The choices I made hurt so many people. I acted in a way that clashes with who and how I want to be. I will continue to reflect and work on myself. I have work to do. I always have, and I always will." Todd Williamson/Bravo via Getty In a statement issued toEntertainment Tonighton March 8, 2023, Levissaddressed the months-long affair with Sandovalfor the first time. She began with an apology. "I want to apologize for my actionsand my choices foremost to Ariana, and to my friends and the fans so invested in our relationships," Leviss said. "There is no excuse, I am not a victim and I must own my actions and I deeply regret hurting Ariana." "I am reflecting on my choices, speaking to a counselor and I am learning things about myself such as my patterns of codependency and addiction to being and feeling loved," she continued. "I have sought emotional validation through intimate connections that are not healthy without regard for my own well-being, sometimes negatively affecting others and often prioritizing the intimate connection over my friendships." Leviss added that she is "taking steps to understand my behavior and make healthier choices." "Although I chose to be on a reality show accepting the good and bad that comes with it, beyond my own actions I have been physically assaulted, lost friendships, received death threats and hate emails in addition to having had my privacy violated," she continued. "I have begun counseling to end my unhealthy behavioral cycle, learn to set stronger emotional boundaries and learn to protect my mental health. I don't expect sympathy, understanding or forgiveness." Leviss added, "Right now I must focus on my own health and well-being and as I strive to be a better person moving forward, I will prioritize my mental health and learn from my mistakes." River Callaway/Variety via Getty Images; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic In March 2023, one week after their months-long affair was made public, Leviss opened up to PEOPLE about the status of her relationship with Sandoval. Amid the fallout, Leviss said that she doesn't "want to label anything" with herVanderpump Rulescostar. "Besides the indefensible circumstances surrounding our relationship, my feelings for Tom have always been sincere and born out of a loving friendship," she told PEOPLE. "Knowing how many people we hurt, I need to understand my choices and learn to make better ones." "I need to take care of my health, work on self growth and take time to be ok with being alone," Leviss continued. "I care for Tom and I don't want to label anything or predict what lies ahead. Right now I need to heal." Months later, sources toldThe Messengerin May 2023 that Leviss and Sandoval are "no longer seeing each other." One source said that the Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras frontman has been "struggling" amidst the chaos. "His relationships with everyone right now are on the back burner, and he's focusing on his music," the source said. "He's about to turn 40 and trying his best to move away from all of this, but he's struggling at times. Like anyone trying to better themselves, it's one day at a time." Season 10 has included the affair drama, as an insider shared with PEOPLE as the news of the scandal broke that "cameras are rolling right now." A production source also shared that Bravo and production company Evolution began filming again to follow the fallout of the cheating scandal. That same day, costar Kennedy (who was engaged to Leviss) posted a screenshot of the first article about the cheating scandal, commenting, "Hope you all feel as sick as I do. This explains everything." As each episode aired, viewers saw the drama unfold, including the cast's interactions. Notably, in the May 10 episode, it seemed as thoughSandoval and Leviss teamed upto place doubt inside Madix's mind before news of their affair broke. The season finale later uncovered further details about the affair, including how Madix learned it was happening and what she did about it. Andy Cohenconfirmed that theVanderpump Rulesreunion would begin taping less than two weeks after news of the affair broke. In anticipation of what was expected to go down when taping commenced on March 23, 2023, he said that he was "girding my loins." The day after the special wrapped tapping, Cohenteased the dramain a video posted to his Instagram Stories. "Well, that was that really confrontational," he told the camera. "It was really emotional. Nothing was left unsaid." The three-part reunion special first premiered in May 2023, during which Cohen dove right into the "Scandoval" drama and opened the first part with one-on-one conversations with Madix, Sandoval and Leviss. "It kind of feels like you're the most hated man on television right now," he told Sandoval. Throughout the special episodes,several bombshells came to the surface, from Sandoval's interest in Leviss dating back to early 2022 to the fact that his best friend and business partner, Schwartz, had known about the affair since August 2022. During part 3 of the reunion in June 2023, Leviss finally joined her castmates and came face-to-face with Madix. Madix then called Leviss out for her "diabolical, demented, disgusting, subhuman" role in the affair, to which the former pageant queen admitted to it being "impossible to turn away from" because she was in love. In the final minutes of the episode, Leviss sat down for a solo interview and admitted to "lying and [being] so deceitful this entire time," before revealing several new details about her and Sandoval's affair. Not only did she reveal she had proposed to Sandoval and suggested they add Madix as an "addition" to their relationship, she also clarified that the affair had been going on longer than originally disclosed — and that Sandoval "asked [her] to not disclose all this information." The reality star then seemingly confirmed that she and Tom had sex in his and Madix's house while she was out of town for her grandmother's funeral. "I know that the reason why Tom wanted to lie about is because it's a really bad look to hook up with someone's boyfriend in their own house, when they've gone out of town. Especially for a funeral of all things," Leviss said. "I am so sick of lying. I hate it. I hate being deceitful. It's horrible." Read the original article onPeople