Rachel ‘Raquel’ Leviss just couldn’t let sleeping dogs lie as she has helped to bring back a resurgence of Scandoval. Rachel has been healing herself for the last few months after a rough Vanderpump Rules Season 10. Viewers have no love left for the former pageant contestant but have learned that she may have been a victim in the affair. But what really caught viewers by surprise is Rachel’s insistence that she and Ariana Madix weren’t close friends, especially since there is proof that they were.
Rachel isn’t doing herself any favors as she continues to place blame elsewhere instead of on herself. For many fans who thought that the time away may have healed her, they have been bitterly disappointed. Rachel doesn’t come across as if she is being honest, and it is once again leaving a bad taste in fans’ mouths who had hoped she would better herself. While it got her words out, the interview may have been a big mistake.
Is the Narrative False?
During her very open podcast interview with Bethenny Frankel, Rachel mentioned that Bravo was trying to push a false narrative, noting she was never truly close with Ariana. The former Real Housewives of New York City star noted that viewers think that Rachel has slept with her best friend’s man, to which Rachel shared, “Yes, that is the narrative that is being written for me. It is more salacious that way.”
In a plot twist no one saw coming, Rachel denied the friendship, noting, “Ariana and I were not best friends. We were acquaintances who became friends through the show. She’s always been somebody who’s been very sweet to me. She would stand up for me and encourage me to pursue whatever I was pursuing, and that was all great.”
To many fans of the Bravo show, it sounds like the two were friends. Rachel may have a different definition of friendship, which would include clauses that it is okay to sleep with their men, but most of us would consider a friend who is someone who encourages us to do better and is friendly to us. Rachel did elaborate, sharing, “But, we never had a deep conversation that I would have with a best friend. It’s painful to think that I hurt her in this way because that wasn’t my intention. I wasn’t trying to be a malicious person. I just got wrapped up in this and wasn’t thinking clearly. But we were not best friends.”
The latter didn’t add up to fans who remembered that Ariana had consoled Rachel during her camping birthday around the fire when she had been crying about her existential crisis. If comforting someone who cares for us isn’t friendship, then we aren’t sure what Rachel is looking for. Rachel also talked to Ariana about her relationship and sex life with Tom. Again, non-friends don’t just talk about sex.
With Friends Like These, Who Needs Enemies
The idea that Rachel is trying to downplay any friendship with Ariana is ludicrous and poorly constructed damage control. Fans have all seen the multiple videos and photos of Ariana, Rachel, and Tom Sandoval all hanging out. During most snaps, it looked like Rachel was a third wheel. During the Season 10 Reunion, Rachel shared that she thought they all could be in a throuple, noting, “What would Ariana think of me being an addition? I love Ariana as a person, and I’m in love with Tom Sandoval. It didn’t seem like that far-fetched of an idea, but it was not something in question.”
A person who didn’t feel friendly with the other wouldn’t just assume a threesome or polyamorous relationship was an option. Rachel looks like a hypocrite for trying to deny any closeness with Ariana. Multiple photos have been deleted from social media that showed Ariana and Rachel hanging out over the years, including Coachella and Halloween. The ‘friends” even dressed as Sailor Moon together- that is friendship! This stance feels like another way Rachel is trying to avoid taking accountability for her part in Scandoval.
TELL US: DO YOU THINK ARIANA AND RACHEL WERE FRIENDS BEFORE THE AFFAIR?
