Two years after Scandoval broke the internet, Tom Sandoval is back in reality TV fans’ good graces. Tom is getting his best press in ages thanks to The Traitors Season 3. But what about Rachel Leviss, his Scandoval affair partner? After she was launched into infamy, Rachel checked herself into a treatment center. She also declined to return to Vanderpump Rules. She started a podcast instead. But towards the end of 2024, Rachel ended her podcast and stepped away from the public eye. Now, if enough time passed since the cheating scandal for Sandoval, isn’t the same true for Rachel? It’s only fair that she gets the same chance as Sandoval. If she wants it, that is.
Rachel Leviss didn’t get as many chances at a reality tv comeback as Tom Sandoval
In terms of rehabilitating his reputation, The Traitors is Sandoval’s most successful reality TV appearance. The internet is full of articles defending him and praising the entertainment value he brings to the Scottish castle. But Traitors is far from his first attempt to use reality TV as a reputation boost.
Only a few months after Scandoval, he appeared on both Special Forces and The Masked Singer. Then came Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules, which was designed to be a Sandoval redemption arc. However, Rachel knew she wouldn’t get the same treatment. According to her podcast, the circumstances around her potential return were troublesome.
Sandoval isn’t the only one who was rewarded with reality TV success post-Scandoval. Tom Schwartz joined Stars on Mars. Ariana Madix competed on Dancing with the Stars and became the host of Love Island USA. And a number of former VPR stars got a reality TV comeback with The Valley. It seems only fair that Rachel gets at least one chance of her own. If she wants it, of course.
If it’s time to forgive Sandoval, it’s time to forgive Rachel too
Recently, Lala Kent went to bat for Sandoval on The Traitors. She scolded his co-stars for making fun of his singing, lamenting that he still could not win. Jax Taylor also recently insisted that his on-again/off-again pal “served his time.” But I’m not sure if Lala or Jax would have the same energy for defending Rachel.
Vanderpump Rules has a long-standing issue of double standards. That pattern has stayed consistent since Scandoval. Rachel was held to a higher standard than Sandoval or anyone else. Despite her own very serious allegations that Sandoval recorded her without consent.
Rachel’s words and actions during and after Scandoval earned plenty of justifiable criticism. Her podcast episodes regularly got backlash. But her actions weren’t necessarily worse than Sandoval’s. He also got into more hot water in interviews a lot over the past two years. Even on The Traitors, he was accused of making “personal attacks” on co-stars. If it’s time to forgive Sandoval, it’s time to forgive Rachel too.
What did Rachel Leviss say about the type of reality show she might sign up for?
Initially, Rachel was adamant that she would never return to unscripted television again. This was partially why she affiliated herself with Bethenny Frankel and the (unsuccessful) reality TV reckoning. But her stance seemed to adjust slightly over time.
At one point, she said she would only return to television if it was an ethical environment. For instance, she would ask for paid therapy. At the same time, she said she’d consider joining a competition series. That would certainly be a different experience than her former show. And it could show VPR fans a different side to her.
Some wondered if Rachel would come back to reality television after stepping away from Rachel Goes Rogue. Her publicist, who took over the podcast, later hinted at the possibility that Rachel could return to Vanderpump Rules. However, that was just before Bravo announced the VPR reboot.
Why Rachel may not want a reality tv comeback
After Scandoval, Rachel chose to walk away from the public eye twice. First, in the immediate aftermath, when she left Los Angeles for Arizona. Then in October 2024, she made the decision to leave again. So, it’s also possible that she’d decline the chance at a reality TV comeback.
When she ended her podcast, she explained it was a way of completely leaving Vanderpump Rules behind. She also wanted to focus on her healing. Rachel also revealed a new relationship with a rocket scientist and wanted to keep that romance private. It’s possible that Rachel realized the limelight wasn’t for her.
Rachel also has some pending lawsuits where she expresses issues with NBC Universal. Sandoval claimed Rachel’s lawyers would drop her lawsuit against him if he blamed the company. However, Rachel’s attorneys denied this. But it could potentially limit the shows she’d appear on. Still, stranger things have happened. So, let’s not entirely rule out Rachel returning to reality TV someday. For all we know, she could pop up on The Traitors.
Vanderpump Rules is available to stream on Peacock.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK THAT RACHEL LEVISS DESERVES A CHANCE AT A REALITY TV COMEBACK?
This story originally appeared on Realitytea
