Rachel Leviss Vows to Stop Talking About Ariana Madix After Scandoval: 'I Understand Her Pain'

Though Leviss insisted her comments about Madix have been "respectful," the former 'Vanderpump Rules' star said she won't be talking about Madix any longer "because she's not a part of my life"

<p>getty (2)</p> Rachel Leviss (left) and Ariana Madix

getty (2)

Rachel Leviss (left) and Ariana Madix

Rachel Leviss is vowing to take a big step away from Scandoval.

On the Wednesday, June 12 episode of her podcast, Rachel Goes Rogue, the former Vanderpump Rules star, 29, addressed a viewer question about why she hadn't used her podcast to respond to Ariana Madix's comments about her on the season 11 reunion of the hit reality show.

"I don't need to talk about Ariana any more than I deem necessary to get my point across," Leviss said when an executive producer of her show relayed the question. "And, unfortunately, yes, Ariana's name has come out of my mouth and it is not to bash her in any way, it's to provide context to my experience and the story that I'm sharing with you guys."

The question was in response to comments Madix, 38, made about Leviss on part three of the VPR reunion, which aired on Tuesday, May 28.

<p>Christopher Polk/Variety/Getty</p> Rachel Leviss at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards

Christopher Polk/Variety/Getty

Rachel Leviss at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards

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“You also brought a s--- person into both of our lives in a very f---ed up way. And this bitch has to talk about me all the f---ing time. You did that," the former Broadway star told her ex Tom Sandoval of Leviss.

Sandoval and Madix broke up in March 2023 after nearly a decade together when Madix found explicit texts and photos on Special Forces star's phone from Leviss, whom she considered a close friend. The aftermath of the affair caused fractures within the couple's friend group, impacting seasons 10 and 11 of VPR and was one of the biggest scandals in Bravo history.

Related: Ariana Madix Claims Rachel Leviss Is Seeking to 'Punish' and 'Blame' Her with Revenge Porn Lawsuit

On her podcast, Leviss said she understood why Madix doesn't want to be talked about.

"Her saying that about me, it made me think, 'Well, yeah it sucks having [VPR] talk about me every single week,'" she said.

"Not only talk about me but to completely defame me and to push a narrative that is not accurate," Leviss added with a laugh. "So, I get it. I understand her pain when it comes to me saying her name on my podcast and I'm sure it's infuriating and frustrating."

<p>David Livingston/Getty Images</p> Ariana Madix attends the 2024 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

David Livingston/Getty Images

Ariana Madix attends the 2024 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

Related: Rachel Leviss Says She's Been Going By 'Rocky' Now After Dropping Former Nickname, 'Raquel'

Leviss went on to say that she thinks she's been "ultimately respectful" to Madix when discussing her affair with Sandoval, 41.

"I don't plan on continuing to talk about her anymore because she's not a part of my life," Leviss concluded.

Leviss hasn't completely moved on from the scandal, however. In May, she won the right to continue bringing legal action against Sandoval as part of her "revenge porn" lawsuit.

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Vanderpump Rules can be streamed on Peacock.

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