'What doesn't kill me better run': Ariana Madix speaks about Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss' affair
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA: 'Vanderpump Rules' star Ariana Madix has spoken out for the first time about the affair between her ex-boyfriend, Tom Sandoval, and Raquel Leviss that recently made headlines. Taking to Instagram, the 37-year-old reality star shared a stunning photo of herself along with a lengthy caption that expressed her gratitude towards her friends, including her castmates, for their support during what she described as her "darkest hours." Madix wrote on Wednesday, March 15, "Hi. Where to begin? I want to express my most sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love and support I have received from friends, family, and people I've never even met in the last two weeks. When I have felt like I couldn't even stand, you all have given me the strength to continue and seen me through my darkest hours. To say I have been devastated and broken is an understatement. However, I know that I am not in this alone."
While many of her 'Vanderpump Rules' co-stars have publicly supported her, including Scheana Shay, Kristen Doute and even Leviss' ex James Kennedy, Madix made sure to thank those who had been there for her. She continued, "So many of my closest friends are also grieving this loss right now and reeling from this betrayal on so many levels. I am so f***ing lucky to have the best support system in the world and I hope I can repay every single person for the love you have shown me. What doesn't kill me better run. Love, Ariana." Days ago, after reactivating her Instagram account following a brief hiatus, Madix seemingly blocked her ex-boyfriend, 39, and his mistress, 28, who are no longer in her following list or tagged in previous photos. She also unfollowed Sandoval's close friend, Tom Schwartz, who allegedly found out about his friend had cheated "a month ago."
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What happened between Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix?
On March 1, Madix discovered that her ex-boyfriend, Sandoval, 40, had been cheating on her with Leviss, 28, after she saw "inappropriate" messages between the two on his phone while he was performing with his band in Los Angeles. "She was completely blindsided by this; devastated doesn't even scratch the surface of how she feels," sources told PEOPLE. "This is someone she thought she knew; someone she planned to spend the rest of her life with. You can't even put into words that betrayal," the sources added.
On March 7, Sandoval publicly admitted the allegations were true and apologized to Madix on his Instagram page. It was his second apology in four days, with the first one failing to mention Madix. The following day, Leviss issued her own statement, saying, "I want to apologize for my actions and my choices foremost to Ariana, and to my friends and the fans so invested in our relationships."
'You're back, and this is your time to shine!'
Madix received an outpouring of love and support from her friends and fans on social media. Crishell Stause said, "Yes, so happy you feel supported and loved!! You look so beautiful and the last sentence...chef's kiss." Dayna Kathan exclaimed, "A whole f*****g queen!!! I love you for life." Sam Reich added, "You are simply the world's best." Kristen Doute, her Bravo co-star, expressed her affection by saying, "I love you babycakes. You are slaying life, and your support squad is here for your trustfall. Watch out world, she's back." Charlie Burnett promised to be there for Madix by saying, "I love you. Always in your corner." Billie Lee, another friend, said, "Aw, my sweet goddess. I love you, Ariana. Your strength over these past two weeks has inspired us all so much."
Another user gave Madix encouragement by saying, "You're back, and this is your time to shine!" while a second user wrote, "The whole world knows what a diamond you are and how brightly you shine. All the love all the time."
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