Credit: startraksphoto.com, Getty Images/JC Olivera/Stringer
Billie Lee is returning to Vanderpump Rules for season 11.
The series’ first transgender star, who was added to the show in 2017 for its sixth season, will be serving as an “on-camera ally” for Tom Sandoval, 40, who became estranged from much of the cast after his months-long affair with Raquel Leviss, 28, was uncovered in March. Meanwhile, Raquel appears to be staying put in Arizona.
In a series of photos shared by The U.S. Sun on August 9, Raquel was seen walking out of a Walgreens in Tuscon on Tuesday, where she purchased several items, including a bottle of water, while wearing beige Pink Floyd T-shirt, black shorts, sandals with socks, and glasses.
During the outing, Raquel had on no makeup and wore her hair pulled back in pigtails.
Vanderpump Rules’ reclusive Raquel Leviss is unrecognizable as she ditches makeup and glam clothes in very rare sightinghttps://t.co/R99joq9JI0
— The US Sun (@TheSunUS) August 9, 2023
As Raquel’s return to Pump Rules seems to be getting more and more bleak as she remains far from her castmates and filming crew, with many of her co-stars convinced she won’t be back, Page Six has confirmed Billie, 39, will be back for the new episodes.
“Billie came back to support Tom as he was experiencing some mental health challenges when cameras went up for Season 11,” a source told Page Six on August 9.
Billie Lee back to filming ‘Vanderpump Rules’ — as Tom Sandoval’s ally https://t.co/X0MUD5OdnF pic.twitter.com/OtMDWL5bFi
— Page Six (@PageSix) August 9, 2023
#NoFilter podcast host Zack Peter was the first to confirm the news.
According to the report, Billie returned to the show to help Sandoval navigate “some mental health challenges when cameras went up for Season 11,” aiding him in his efforts to rebuild his self-esteem by introducing him to Dr. Kien Vuu.
On Tuesday, Dr. Vuu shared an Instagram Story in which Sandoval was tagged.
“Just finished a session with a client and I walk away just feeling so inspired by the bravery, the commitment, the courage to do the deep internal work,” he shared. “I’m reminded of the big healing.”
While Sandoval certainly endured his fair share of well-deserved backlash after cheating on longtime girlfriend Ariana Madix, 38, a second insider told Page Six he’s “doing great today.”
“He’s focusing on the positive and even expanding his social circle outside of the cast,” they noted.
As Pump Rules fans may have seen, Sandoval recently stepped out with musician Tii, who Billie also introduced him to.
“Tii is a good friend of Billie, who introduced her to Tom,” a source previously told the outlet. “Tom and Tii had a lot of fun during their night out and there’s definitely a connection.”
In addition to returning to the show to help Sandoval, Billie, who exited the show in 2019, also hopes to “clear her name” in regard to rumors of a potential hookup with Sandoval.
“Billie has filmed multiple scenes with Sandoval and more cast members,” the insider shared. “She is currently negotiating her contract for the rest of the season, which wraps filming in September.”
The report went on to share that Billie quit speaking to Sandoval after his affair with Raquel was uncovered “out of respect for Ariana.” However, as fans may have seen, Ariana ultimately unfollowed Billie after she was seen leaving her and Sandoval’s $2 million shared home back in April.
Still, the source insisted, “When she stayed at Tom and Ariana’s house in April — while Ariana was out of town — it was to make sure that Tom was OK amid the public vitriol… Billie gave Ariana a heads-up that she would be staying with Tom at their place.”
Vanderpump Rules season 11 is expected to begin airing on Bravo later this year or early next year.