Rachel Leviss scored a major legal victory against Ariana Madix after a judge refused to derail her lawsuit over intimate videos discovered during the Scandoval breakup.
Madix had appealed an earlier ruling that allowed Leviss’ revenge porn allegations to continue. She argued that she did not send the recordings to the public and only forwarded them to Leviss after finding them on Tom Sandoval’s phone.
The court disagreed with Madix’s bid, ruling that “she failed to meet her burden” of proving the challenged conduct was constitutionally protected.
Leviss’ complaint tells a different story about what happened after Madix uncovered her affair with Sandoval in March 2023.
According to the lawsuit, Madix obtained the sexually explicit material “without his authorization” before allegedly copying and sharing it. Leviss claims the videos went to Madix, herself and “other individuals whose identities are not currently known.” She has also alleged that people associated with Bravo received the content.
Madix’s legal team sought to connect the dispute to the enormous public interest surrounding Scandoval, which dominated Vanderpump Rules and ended her nearly nine-year relationship with Sandoval.
The latest decision does not determine whether Madix is liable but that Leviss’ claims can continue through the legal process.
Leviss joined Vanderpump Rules in 2016. Madix became a full-time cast member during Season 3, while Sandoval had appeared on the Bravo series since its 2013 debut. Madix is currently the host of Love Island USA and was nominated for an Emmy for the role.