Credit: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency / MEGA
Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss brought plenty of drama to the Vanderpump Rules reunion taping last week.
After the revealing of their affair earlier this month, Sandoval and Raquel were forced to face-off with their castmates as an “emotional” Sandoval discussed the start of their relationship, and several verbal jabs were thrown.
“Tensions were so high [that Andy Cohen] ultimately had to separate two cast members before a fight could happen,” an insider revealed to E! News of the five-hour taping. “It really felt like it was the full cast versus Tom and Raquel.”
Sandoval and Raquel “admitted their affair started as a hook-up and wasn’t a relationship right away,” the source continued. “[Sandoval] was really emotional and regretful.”
Meanwhile, despite showing her emotions, Ariana “kept her cool.”
“She cried but came prepared to talk too,” the insider revealed.
During the taping of the Pump Rules reunion, Raquel and Scheana Shay were forced to film separately due to the restraining order Raquel filed against Scheana after allegedly getting punched by her co-star, which Scheana denies.
As for the future of Sandoval and Raquel’s romance, a second insider told E! News that the couple hasn’t yet “put any sort of label on their relationship.”
“They are giving one another the space to figure out things in their own lives right now before making any sort of call on where they stand,” the insider explained with another source saying they are “aware of the pain they caused” and “know they need to focus on what drove them to make these decisions first and foremost.”
Also up in the air are Sandoval and Raquel’s roles on Pump Rules season 11, which has yet to be renewed by Bravo.
Producers are “going to be floating different ideas to move forward,” a source told Entertainment Tonight. “Maybe an after-the-storm way, focusing on [Katie Maloney and Ariana’s sandwich shop] Something About Her, and going that route, not focusing on this drama.”
According to the insider, Raquel’s role is “up in the air” while Sandoval’s is “a question mark.”
“Ariana said that, unless absolutely necessary, she won’t film with Tom Sandoval. She stated her feelings [at the reunion], and now it’s time to untangle herself from Tom,” the source explained.
Producers also hope to show viewers how Tom Schwartz and Katie “manage after divorce and figure out a way to keep certain people happy.”
The insider went on to say that the taping of the Pump Rules reunion felt “sad, but a relief.”
“Tom [Sandoval] was combative, Raquel didn’t say much off camera, and it was so exhausting,” they shared. But, “as draining as it was, everyone really was supportive and caring and got their crap out, but with heads held high. Sandoval was ultimately contrite, which most didn’t like. Raquel came across like Sandoval loved her more than Ariana.”
Vanderpump Rules season 10 airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on Bravo.