Vanderpump Rules Ariana Madix Asks Court To Dismiss Rachel “Raquel” Leviss’ Lawsuit For This Reason

Summary Ariana Madix is seeking to have Rachel Leviss' lawsuit dismissed through the California anti-SLAPP law.

Tom Sandoval also filed a request for dismissal, claiming the lawsuit is a ploy for fame by Rachel.

The lawsuit involving the ex-Vanderpump Rules stars continues, but they aim to settle the matter outside of court.

Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix and her ex Tom Sandoval are looking for Rachel “Raquel” Leviss’ lawsuit, citing image-based sexual abuse, eavesdropping, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, to be dismissed. Just over a year ago, it was revealed that Tom and Rachel were having an affair behind Ariana’s back, and the fallout that stemmed from the scandal has been dubbed Scandoval by Bravo fans. During the wave of drama, it was revealed that Ariana found out about Tom and Rachel’s affair from sexually explicit videos on his phone of her, which Rachel allegedly never consented to.

"citing California’s anti-SLAPP law which protects against frivolous lawsuits"

According to Deadline, Ariana has filed a motion to have the lawsuit dismissed by the Los Angeles County courts. The outlet explained that Ariana “filed a declaration citing California’s anti-SLAPP law which protects against frivolous lawsuits,” and shared that she believes Rachel’s lawsuit is unnecessary and defamatory. Ariana’s declaration recounts the story of her finding out about Tom and Rachel’s affair in detail, including screenshots of text messages she sent the night she found out to both Rachel and another friend. Ariana explained that she “did not send…share, display, or show the videos to anyone else” after discovering the truth.

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Tom Sandoval Submitted His Own Lawsuit Appeal

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While Ariana filed a declaration this week, Tom submitted a request for dismissal of his own. In his filing, he was a bit less diplomatic about the information he revealed. Sharing that he feels Rachel’s lawsuit is a “thinly veiled attempt to extend her fame and to rebrand herself as the victim instead of the other woman,” Tom’s lawyers didn’t pull their punches in the appeal. The document continues that Rachel is attempting to rebrand herself “while denigrating her former friend Madix as a ‘scorned woman’ and her former paramour Sandoval as ‘predatory’.” Tom’s declaration attempts to clear his name.

While Tom and Ariana’s involvement in the lawsuit has been limited prior to their statements, it’s been clear that they would step in to try and clear their names as soon as possible. The exes have been named in the lawsuit, which was filed in February, together. Though their involvement in the incident was separate and at differing degrees, Rachel’s perusal of legal action names them both equally as part of the issue. Though Rachel has been out of the limelight for the most part since mid-2023, her decision to take legal action has likely been in motion for months.

With the lawsuit still pending, Ariana and Tom’s words have yet to be taken into account publicly. Despite knowing that they will likely settle this matter outside of a courtroom setting, the idea of a Scandoval court battle is unsettling. For the mental health and well-being of everyone involved, including Rachel, this matter would be better settled in a personal, individual manner. With Vanderpump Rules season 11 continuing to stir up drama between the exes, who are already embroiled in their own court case surrounding their shared home, things have continued to be difficult after their painful, catastrophic breakup.

Vanderpump Rules airs Tuesdays on Bravo at 8 p.m. EDT, then streams the following day on Peacock.

Sources: Deadline, Bravo/Instagram