What Happened to Rachel Leviss?

Rachel Leviss, known to 'Vanderpump Rules' viewers as Raquel Leviss, first gained public attention through her appearances on the Bravo reality series, initially as the girlfriend and then fiancée of cast member James Kennedy. Her time on the show saw her involved in various interpersonal dramas, but her public profile dramatically shifted in March 2023 with the revelation of 'Scandoval.' This affair involved Leviss and fellow cast member Tom Sandoval, who was in a long-term relationship with Ariana Madix, a close friend of Leviss. The scandal became a national sensation, leading to widespread public condemnation and intense media scrutiny.

In the immediate aftermath of the affair's public exposure, Leviss faced significant backlash. She made the decision to enter a mental health facility for 'mental health and trauma therapy' in April 2023, a move her representatives stated was planned even before the scandal broke. During her three-month stay, she reportedly spent an extensive amount of time in therapy, leading to a significant personal re-evaluation. Upon her release in July 2023, Leviss announced her decision to revert to her birth name, Rachel, explaining that her therapists helped her reclaim the name that had been weaponized by her detractors.

Following her treatment, Leviss attempted to regain control of her narrative by launching the 'Rachel Goes Rogue' podcast in August 2024. Through the podcast, she aimed to share her perspective on the events and discuss her healing journey, mental health issues, and challenge stigmas. However, she ultimately decided to end the podcast in October 2024, stating her desire to fully step away from the 'Vanderpump Rules' universe and focus on a life aligned with her values and a new relationship.

Since stepping away from reality television, Leviss has embarked on a new career path as a certified trauma-informed sound healer. She began leading group sound baths in late 2024 and publicly announced her new profession in March 2025, hosting successful sound bowl events, including one at the Flamingo Resort & Spa in Santa Rosa, California, in May 2026. She has also found new romantic happiness, confirming in October 2024 that she was in a healthy relationship with a 'normal guy,' later identified as SpaceX engineer Jason Bouch. The couple has been together since 2024 and celebrated a Starship launch together over Memorial Day weekend in May 2026.

Legally, Leviss initiated a lawsuit in March 2024 against Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval, alleging revenge porn, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The lawsuit claims Madix accessed private, sexually explicit videos of Leviss from Sandoval's phone, copied them, and shared them with others. On August 5, 2026, a California Court of Appeal denied Ariana Madix's attempt to dismiss the lawsuit, ruling that the public nature of the 'Scandoval' affair did not make Leviss' private sexual videos public. This decision allows Leviss's lawsuit to proceed through the California court system.