Ariana Madix Loses Appeal to Have “Vanderpump Rule”s Alum Rachel Leviss’ Revenge Porn Lawsuit Dismissed

A lawsuit involving reality television stars Ariana Madix and Rachel Leviss has taken a turn following a recent ruling by a Los Angeles judge. The case revolves around accusations of “revenge porn,” with Leviss alleging that Madix accessed and distributed explicit photographs without consent.

Rachel Leviss, aged 31, initiated the legal action against 41-year-old Madix amid the upheaval from her affair with Madix’s boyfriend, Tom Sandoval, a fellow cast member on “Vanderpump Rules.” According to court documents, Madix discovered sexually explicit videos of Leviss on Sandoval’s mobile device, which she then allegedly recorded before returning them to Leviss.

As the controversy surrounding the affair escalated, Madix faced allegations from Leviss, who accused her of not only accessing the videos without appropriate consent but also disseminating them to others, including individuals connected to Bravo, the production company behind the reality series. Leviss contends that Madix’s actions constituted a breach of trust and privacy.

Madix sought to appeal the lawsuit, asserting that her actions solely involved returning the images to Leviss and did not extend to public distribution. However, a judge has dismissed this appeal, stating that Madix failed to demonstrate that her conduct fell under constitutionally protected activity.

Leviss’s lawsuit highlights the serious implications of non-consensual sharing of intimate images, a concern that has garnered attention in recent years. The National Association of Attorneys General defines “revenge porn” as the public distribution of sexually explicit images without the subject’s consent, typically following the dissolution of an intimate relationship.

The timeline of events began to unfold publicly in March 2023, when news broke of the affair between Leviss and Sandoval, who had been in a committed relationship with Madix for nearly nine years. Reports from that time indicated that Madix was left feeling entirely blindsided by the revelation, with sources claiming that the emotional impact on her was profound.

Ariana Madix first joined the “Vanderpump Rules” cast in its second season, while Tom Sandoval has been with the show since its inception in January 2013. Rachel Leviss made her debut on the reality series in 2016, establishing her presence within the ensemble of characters navigating the complicated lives played out on screen.

The outcome of the legal proceedings raises critical questions about privacy rights and consent, particularly in the context of personal relationships gone awry. The case reflects broader societal issues surrounding the handling of private images and the responsibility individuals have to respect the boundaries of others, especially post-breakup.

As this case continues to develop, PEOPLE magazine has reached out for commentary from the legal representatives of both Madix and Leviss. Public interest in the situation remains high, as fans of “Vanderpump Rules” closely monitor the fallout from these high-profile personal disputes.