‘Pump Rules’ Cast Questioned Raquel’s Motives Before Tom, Ariana Split

Not their cup of tea. Vanderpump Rules cast had their suspicions about Raquel Leviss‘ intentions long before her affair with Tom Sandoval came to light.

During a new episode, which aired on Wednesday, March 8, Katie Maloney attempted to start fresh with Raquel, 28, after she previously acknowledged her crush on Tom Schwartz. Kristina Kelly, however, was not as onboard with Scheana Shay taking all the blame for Raquel and Schwartz’s chemistry.

“I feel like I’m the only one who isn’t falling for Raquel’s sweet and innocent act. People walk around treating her like a little baby but that’s an insult to babies,” the Heartspring founder, 35, shared in a confessional after Katie, 36, waved off her concerns about Raquel.

Meanwhile, James Kennedy and his mother, Jacqueline Georgiou, hinted that his first meeting with Raquel was not as innocent as it appeared.

“But you met organically — which is another thing that I absolutely love. A family member didn’t drag you to Pump to go meet a DJ. That to me is not organic,” the U.K. native’s mom said to Ally Lewber in an apparent dig at James, 31, and Raquel’s past.

The episode of the hit Bravo series, which was filmed in July 2022, comes shortly after offscreen news broke about the California native’s affair with Sandoval, 39. Us Weekly confirmed on Friday, March 3, that Sandoval and Ariana Madix called it quits after nearly a decade of dating amid the bombshell.

[jwplayer hsy4KecX-zhNYySv2]

“They were having problems for a while,” a source revealed to Us, noting that things “only came to a breaking point” when the Florida native, 37, became aware of Sandoval and Raquel’s secret romance.

The Vanderpump Rules cast was quick to show their support for Ariana amid the ​scandal. In response to backlash, Sandoval took to social media to apologize for his involvement.

“I want to first and foremost apologize to everyone I’ve hurt through this process. Most of all, I want to apologize to Ariana,” Sandoval wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, March 7. “I made mistakes, I was selfish and made reckless decisions that hurt somebody I love. No one deserves to feel that pain so traumatically and publicly.”

He added: “I can only imagine how devastating this has been for Ariana and everyone around us. I feel really horrible about that. My biggest regret is that I dishonored Ariana. I never meant to disappoint so many people, including our loving families and friends.”

Since then, a second insider revealed to Us that the Missouri native is planning a future with the beauty pageant contestant. “Tom and Raquel are the real deal,” a source shared with Us before clarifying that the couple did not have “a regrettable fling or one-night” stand. “They have confided to pals that it’s love and they have fallen hard for each other.”

The insider said Sandoval and Raquel were planning to go public, adding, “It’s no excuse for what they did and the people they hurt, but they see a long-term future together. Only time will tell if their bond can survive the backlash.”

Scroll on for details on Raquel’s onscreen issues with her Vanderpump Rules costars ahead of the scandal:

“You asked Schwartz if he wanted to make out. I was like, ‘Am I about to be mad at Raquel for the first time?'” the former SUR bartender told Raquel before discussing the drama in a confessional. “We’ve been encouraging Raquel to get out there and make mistakes. Go crazy. But then when she says that she asked Schwartz to make out it’s like, ‘OK, but not like that.'”

In response, Raquel said she initially found it “unfair” when Katie told Schwartz, 40, not to date in their friend group.

“But after seeing the way that she responded, I felt really bad,” she explained. “Katie and I were never close friends because she always had beef with James. And she didn’t come to my puppy party. Also, it is difficult to know what she’s really thinking and what she’s really feeling because she’s got a good poker face.”

In the episode, the “You’re Gonna Love Me” podcast host told Scheana, 37, that she wasn’t attending her wedding to Brock Davies.

“I took her off the list. She makes me feel bad about myself and I’m still willing to get over it and be peaceful. She’s a f—king bitch and you know because you have been on the receiving end of it,” Scheana told Lala Kent. “Brock and I are throwing an epic wedding in Mexico. We are going to get fire dancers, water drums and maybe a mariachi band. But you know what we are not going to have? Katie Maloney’s bitchy ass.”

In response, the beauty mogul, 32, pointed out that Scheana’s actions led to the rift.

“Where it is getting lost is you’re saying you have empathy for her in her divorce but then you’re going and trying to facilitate some sort of intimacy between your best friend Raquel and Tom Schwartz,” Lala said, to which the “Good As Gold” singer replied, “It was a cheeky [thing]. And Schwartz even said the other day, ‘If Raquel and I do end up making out it is because Katie drove me to do it.'”

James’ mother threw shade at his ex-fiancée while enjoying lunch with him and Ally.

“But you met organically — which is another thing that I absolutely love. A family member didn’t drag you to Pump to go meet a DJ. That to me is not organic,” she shared as the professional DJ pulled a funny face on screen.

Meanwhile, Ally offered a glimpse at her first meeting with James, telling cameras, “My friend Zach dragged me to James’ show and the rest is history.”

Before Ariana joined her friends on a trip to Las Vegas, her then-boyfriend said he was “sad” she was leaving him. Ariana ultimately returned to Los Angeles when her vet called with bad news about her dog Charlotte’s health.

“There are soulmates and Charlotte is my soul dog. She’s my Pokemon, my ride or die. We’ve been in a relationship together for 18 years,” she detailed. “So that is obviously a lot longer than me and Tom. She had a seizure last night, so we took her to the vet as a precaution.”

Tom reflected on the tragic news while supporting his then-girlfriend. “Ariana has never had much interest in bearing children but if she could have given birth to Charlotte, she would have,” he said in a confessional. “We obviously knew that this day was coming but now it is here. I am very concerned about how this is going to affect Ariana. I just need to be there in any way I can. She’s my girl.”

Throughout the episode, Katie broke down her decision to involve Raquel in her girls’ trip.

“We were just becoming friends and I like Raquel. I’m giving her an opportunity to prove this isn’t indicative of who she is. But Scheana? This is exactly who she is so I’m rebuilding my life in ways where I don’t want to bring this into it,” the Utah native detailed. “She took responsibility for it. She owned that. I want everyone to trust that I can make decisions for myself.”

Kristina, however, vocalized her concerns about Raquel. “I think you’re giving Scheana more credit than is due,” she said. “I feel like I’m the only one who isn’t falling for Raquel’s sweet and innocent act. People walk around treating her like a little baby but that’s an insult to babies.”

“Randall [Emmett] and I fought all the time. My mom said to me the other day, ‘I don’t remember one time that I came out here that you guys weren’t fighting with each other,'” the beauty mogul told Raquel in an emotional moment. “It becomes this really strange feeling of, ‘You’re mindf—king me. Why am I not doing anything about it?'”

For Lala, it was important to see the upside of her past engagement. “Maybe I didn’t see [his issues] because [our daughter Ocean] was supposed to be here,” she added. “That’s the silver lining of it all. If I don’t think that way, I will be in a hole.”

During the conversation, Lala also candidly discussed her sex life.

“I haven’t had sex with a new person in years. I haven’t had sex since I conceived Ocean. That was in 2020,” she admitted. “Our sex life really declined once I got sober. He made a comment to my assistant, ‘Lala used to be so kinky, fun and sexy. But then she got sober.’ So as far as my intimate partner, it has been me and a vibrator.”

After changing his mind about drinking, James defended his decision to Ally and his mother.

“People need to make decisions for themselves. The next time I quit drinking it is honestly going to be for me. I did quit for Raquel, and it still wasn’t enough. If Ally ever gave me an ultimatum, I don’t know what I would do,” he explained in a confessional. “I don’t think it is healthy to give people ultimatums in relationships.”

The musician continued: “Katie gave Schwartz an ultimatum to get married and it didn’t last long, did it? He’s slightly heavier living in his crappy apartment now. Obviously, I like sober James, but I also like going out and having a couple of drinks.”

Viewers got a front row seat to Raquel — and Lala — both showing interest in Garcelle Beauvais‘ son Oliver Saunders.

“When I first met Oliver at the Vanderpump Paris opening, the last thing on my mind was finding a dude to take to my room and hook up with,” Lala told cameras. “But lately I am feeling bad for my vagina, and I can hear her calling to me begging me to allow someone to bust it wide open.”

Raquel, for her part, also opened up about her chemistry with Oliver. “Isn’t the whole point of this girls’ trip to meet cute guys and have fun? Oliver is so charismatic, and he’s got this swagger to him that is very intriguing,” she said before making out with the waiter later in the episode.

Before Raquel and Oliver kissed on screen, the SUR waitress checked in with Lala for her permission.

“He’s very cute. Obviously, I feel like you two have some attraction for each other. I feel awkward doing anything if I know you’re interested in him too,” she told her costar. “If he’s interested in you then I don’t want to take him from you.”

In response, Lala questioned Raquel’s intentions, saying, “It is strange to me though because Raquel had zero interest in Oliver until I said [I was interested]. Now she’s treating it like a pageant and she’s in competition mode with me.”

Katie’s mother came to her defense during a group dinner when Raquel addressed their previous issues.

“Basically, Scheana put the idea in my head [about hooking up with Schwartz] but I originally said no. Then the idea just stayed there. I told Katie straight up that I asked Schwartz if he wanted to make out,” she revealed to Lisa Vanderpump and her other coworkers.

Meanwhile, Katie’s mom pointed out how much that hurt her daughter. “Whether Katie shows it or not I talk to her all the time. I hear her crying — she hurts inside,” she said. “They are still married, and they have barely moved out of their home. They are selling their home — that’s an emotional thing in itself.”

Lisa, 62, noted that Raquel should “take some responsibility” for her actions before Katie started to cry on screen.

“I don’t wear my pain or grief or sadness on my face but what I am going through is f—king really hard,” Katie told cameras. “I don’t think Raquel’s fully got it. Tom’s not just some dude I dated, he was our family. If she’s got to hear it from my mom than she’s got to hear it from my mom.”

“I already promised [Lisa] my first born — but I don’t know if that’s going to happen, so I guess I just owe her my soul now,” Katie joked, hinting at her thoughts on motherhood.

In a sneak peek clip from the next episode, Lala called Raquel out in front of their friends. “You drinking? I would never trust you around my man,” the Row actress said to which Raquel quipped, “Thank God you don’t have a man.”