Tom Sandoval Says He “Fought So Hard” to Be With Rachel Leviss After ‘Scandoval’ Affair

Tom Sandoval is opening up about his relationship with Rachel Leviss (formerly known as Raquel) post-Scandoval. The reality star made an appearance on the Two Ts in a Pod podcast alongside Tom Schwartz and dished on the lengths he went to keep Rachel in his life eight months after the affair (erm, quite literally) shook up the nation.

“I fought so hard for Rachel,” Tom said. “I stopped drinking. I stopped smoking cigarettes because she went away to a facility. I’m like, ‘She can’t drink, she can’t smoke. I’m gonna quit.’”

Tom also noted that he “was there in any way that she needed” before they completely cut ties once Rachel quit Vanderpump Rules and moved to Arizona for a more quiet life.

“We were best friends,” he continued. “It’s heartbreaking to go through. I was fully in love with her. She’s not just some hot girl. I was a model for 15 years, it’s deeper than that.”

The Tom Sandoval & The Most Extras front man noted that he also wanted to go into a mental health facility for treatment but that he had already made a commitment to go on tour.

“I had to make money,” he explained before revealing his ex, Ariana Madix, is allegedly “behind in bills” as they lived under the same roof until recently.

“Every single month, all the bills come out of my accounts. The mortgage comes out of my account every month,” he said. “So, while Ariana’s shooting all these ads, she’s six months behind in bills.”

As for Ariana’s current living arrangements, Tom confirmed that she moved out and is “currently staying in some place.” He added, “We don’t talk. We have a go-between, whether it’s my assistant or a friend.”

Tom went on to say that he “hopes” Rachel loved him before their split. “The way she just shooed me away, I don’t know. I’m not in her head,” he said.

Want in on more VR tea? Listen to Tom Sandoval and Tom Schwartz’s full interview on the Two Ts in a Pod podcast below.