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Raquel Leviss does not return to Vanderpump Rules for season 11 after having an affair with her co-star Tom Sandoval. Entertainment tonight broke the news that Raquel left the reality show on August 17. “Rachel will not be returning for season 11 of Vanderpump Rules“, said a source ETnaming Raquel’s birth name, Rachelthat she is using again.
“Up until recently there was a possibility that she would be returning for the new season, but in the end she decided against it,” the insider explained. “Rachel is focusing on her mental health journey and she knew that going back to the show would give her access to trauma that she has been working on healing.Rachel is looking forward to what the future holds for her. “
Raquel, 28, has not been involved in filming VPR season 11. Production on the upcoming season began in late June, and is expected to wrap in early September. Tom Sandoval, Ariana Madix, Lala Kent, Lisa Vanderpump, Scheana Shay, James Kennedy, Katie Maloneyand Tom Schwartz they are all back for the new season.
Raquel said before that she will run on VPR it was over when she appeared on him Bethenny Frankeland podcast on August 16. Raquel said Bravo was “running to the bank with this scandal – and I haven’t seen a penny” after her relationship with Tom led to record ratings for the show. “It’s not fair,” Raquel said. “And I feel like a child saying, ‘It’s not fair.’ But of course not. And I feel like I’m designed to be the ultimate person.”
“The mistakes I made on camera live forever. And you mentioned something about the addiction of doing reality TV and the way they always dangle that carrot in front of you, like, ‘Well, you have to tell your side of the story or it will be written for you,’” she added to Bethenny. “And that’s scary. So I almost went back, I know just because of that.”
Raquel and Tom had a 7-month relationship that Tom’s girlfriend, Ariana Madix, found out about on March 1. “Scandoval” began, with cast members mostly siding with Ariana – including Scheana Shay, who physically moved Raquel in New York City after learning of the affair. Meanwhile, Raquel filed for a restraining order against Scheana, claiming she was assaulted as a result of the scandal. The restraining order forced Raquel and Scheana to film their Season 10 reunion alone with their castmates.
After the affair came to light, Raquel issued a statement of apology where she admitted that she was seeking counselling. “I want to apologize for my actions and my choices especially to Ariana, and to my friends and fans who are so important in our relationships,” Raquel’s statement said. “There is no apology, I’m not a victim and I have to own up to what I did and I’m really sorry for hurting Ariana.” She continued, “I’m reflecting on my options, talking to a counselor and I’m learning things about myself like my pattern of dependency and addiction to being and feeling love. I’m taking steps to to understand my behavior and make healthier choices.”
Raquel later checked into a mental health facility for treatment, in April 2023. A few weeks later, news broke that Raquel and Tom had officially broken up. Raquel checked out of the mental health facility after two months and broke her silence about her experience being treated on Bethenny’s podcast. “I was thrown into this place where there were a lot of new faces and I was already so embarrassed, it was hard for me to be like, ‘Hi, I’m Raquel!'” she admitted. “But as time went on I was able to warm up and share my story in a real, honest way,” Raquel said, “and I was met with grace and compassion for my peers.”
